Rakesh Sharma: New mid-segment Bajaj motorcycles heading to India next month
Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto, has confirmed that Bajaj Auto will launch a new, mid-segment product in the Indian market next month.
Also Read: Bajaj Pulsar 150 Classic BS-VI makes spy photo debut
While Sharma has given out the launch timeline, he has not revealed any details about the product. Below is what he said in a recent interview with CNBC-TV18:
Next month we are going to introduce another model in the mid-segment.
Do note that Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director Bajaj Auto, had spoken about a new motorcycle brand in the 125 cc segment in September last year. Bajaj had said in the interview that the falling sales of the Discover range had left a big hole in the company’s strategy. Below is were his exact words:
We are missing out on mid-segment 125 cc, I think it’s about 2.5 lakh bikes a month. It’s not small. If you have 20% share there, it gives you a considerable number. Certainly, we are missing out on a big slice and we have to make up for that with a new brand which we are working on.
Competitors have already announced their first products with BS-VI compliance and Bajaj Auto would not like to stay behind in the race. Thus, the new motorcycle may arrive with a BS-VI compliant motor. The company’s existing 124.5 cc single cylinder, air-cooled, SOHC, DTS-i engine with carburettor makes 11 PS of peak power at 7,500 rpm and 11 Nm of max torque at 5,500 rpm. The BS-VI compliant engine will use fuel-injection technology.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS125, which is already available on sale in the international market, uses a fuel-injected motor. The fuel injection equipped engine offers better performance than the Indian-spec carburettor motor, delivering 12 PS of peak power at 8,500 rpm and 11 Nm of max torque at 6,000 rpm.
Bajaj had also stated in an interview in April this year that Bajaj Auto’s marketing and R&D team are working on new variants for the CT, Platina and Pulsar range. We have already seen the new versions of the Platina and CT range of motorcycles in the form of Platina 110 H Gear and the CT110. Thus, the next product to arrive from Bajaj Auto will likely come under the Pulsar range.
Also Read: Bajaj Auto-Triumph talks in the advanced stage, says Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma did not reveal an exact launch or unveiling date for the new product, although we should see the new bike arrive in the showrooms very soon.
[Source: CNBCTV18.com]
