Bajaj has failed to deliver its 6 months-6 bikes promise, but if you listen to the latest development, you’ll forgive them instantly.
A 125cc motorcycle jointly developed by KTM and Bajaj (Bajaj holds a considerable percentage of share in KTM) will be displayed at next year’s Delhi Auto Expo. The 125cc motorcycle will be presented at the EICMA show, also known as the Milan Motorcycle Show in Italy, in November. The Milan Motorcycle Show attracted half a million visitors last year and is a popular show among bike manufacturers to display new products.
Information is sparse at this point. Whether Bajaj will introduce this motorcycle under the Bajaj banner, or under a separate brand of motorcycles is left to be seen.
Six months after Mahindra bought a stake in two wheeler maker Kinetic Motors, it’s intentions are coming out and plans appear to be big for the XYLO maker. Kinetic’s existing scooters Nova and Flyte will be revamped and launched with a new Mahindra-Kinetic badge by the end of this month. Changes are expected to both the scooters, and they should be only cosmetic.
Bajaj, a company that is bugged by Chinese copy bikes, is planning to counter attack. Sources close to Bajaj say the 2-wheeler maker will enter the Chinese market with a brand new 125 cc motorcycle, which will also be sold in Nigeria.
* This bike will have a 125 cc engine and will retail at around $500.
* Bajaj is trying to make use of cheap labor in China, but what remains to be seen is whether they will be able to compete with the established local brands, who dominate the 2-Wheeler industry in China.
* Bajaj will introduce the low-cost bike under a different brand name to keep their brand image in tact as they have plans for making several high capacity bikes for other overseas markets.
After success of the Pulsar and Discover, Bajaj’s think tank is well equipped to handle pressure situations, and the design team is expected to bring out a low cost design that doesn’t look tardy.
Bajaj is already in the business of low-cost cars as they are preparing the much awaited Ultra Low Cost Car (ULC) for a 2011 launch.
