Not expecting Bajaj Pulsar Classic to be a runaway success, says BAL's Kevin D’Sa

A new report from Autocar Professional says that Bajaj Auto plans to increase its market share in the entry-level or 100cc motorcycle category. However, what's even more interesting is the fact that the two-wheeler brand also aims to make the Pulsar brand more accessible to the buyers.

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Kevin D’Sa, president (finance), Bajaj Auto says:

We want even the entry-level buyer to look at (owning) the Pulsar brand now. That’s why we have rolled out the Pulsar Classic at the affordable end of the brand. We are not expecting it to be a runaway success as we estimate that it will do small but critical volumes.

With the aim to make the Pulsar brand more accessible, Bajaj Auto has already launched the Pulsar 150 Classic in June. The motorcycle was launched in Mumbai at an ex-showroom price tag of INR 67,437, making it the second most affordable Pulsar after the 135LS.

With its aggressive pricing, it will compete against motorcycles with lower displacement, which will be crucial for the two-wheeler brand. The 125cc Honda CB Shine – SP with CBS, for example, is priced at INR 67,477 while the Hero Glamour – Fi is sold at INR 66,700. At INR 67,437 (ex-showroom Mumbai), the Pulsar 150 Classic will compete directly against the models.

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 Classic is about INR 10,000 cheaper than the Pulsar 150 Twin Disc variant. The price cut is achieved by decontenting the standard Pulsar 150 such as the rear disc, split-seats and twin pillion grab rail. Instead, it features a one-piece saddle and a simple pillion grab bar.

Mechanical specifications, however, are identical to the Pulsar 150 and the Classic badged model uses the same 149.5cc, single cylinder, twin spark engine that delivers 14 PS of maximum power and 13.4 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed transmission.

Anchoring duties are performed by a 240 mm single disc at the front and a 130 mm drum unit at the rear. Suspension setup includes a conventional telescopic front fork, with anti-friction bush while at the rear is a twin-sided five-way adjustable, Nitrox shock absorber.

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The Bajaj Pulsar brand crossed the 70,000 unit sales mark in a single month for the first time in May 2018. The increase in the sales was attributed to the launch of the new Pulsar 150 twin disc variant. Post the introduction of the Classic, sales of the Pulsar 150 cc family has increased by 119% and 42% YoY in June and July 2018.

[Source: AutocarPro.in]