India’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer, Bajaj Auto is planning on entering the premium motorcycle segment by launching new variants of Pulsar and KTM motorcycles in the range of 200 cc to 700 cc. Bajaj will be utilizing KTM technology to develop their own brand of superbikes, in the form of Pulsar. By next year, Bajaj plans on launching the 350 cc Pulsar and Duke variants in the Indian motorcycle market.
Mr Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto, said, “There will be a 350 cc Duke next year, so you can expect something similar with the Pulsar next year. And going forward, in 2014-15 there will be even bigger KTM and even bigger Pulsar. We share the same development process with KTM, so you can expect there will be ‘a much bigger Pulsar’ next year, because we think the market is at an inflection point (at the premium end) and we are in a good position to take advantage with these two brands.”
In the last week of January 2012, Bajaj Auto launched two new motorcycles in India – KTM Duke 200 and Pulsar 200 NS (Naked Sport). Bajaj launched KTM Duke 200 at a price of Rs 1.16 lacs but they did not reveal the price of Pulsar 200 NS, which is expected to be priced less than Rs 1 lac. With this new strategy of launching two similar motorcycles in two very different price range, will give Bajaj Auto a big advantage over their rivals Honda and Yamaha in India.
Bajaj is currently getting ready to increase manufacturing capacity of their Chakan plant, where both their new motorcycles, KTM Duke 200 and Pulsar 200 NS will be built. These new motorcycles from Bajaj, are expected to help them increase their overall market share in India from 26% to 32% over the next few years.
Talking more about their Pulsar-KTM strategy, Mr Bajaj said: “I think this strategy of KTM-Pulsar acting together in the sports segment is a valid strategy anywhere in the world not just in India. We will look at leveraging this in many of our overseas markets in Latin America, Africa and South East Asia.”
Also see – Bajaj Auto confirms new Pulsar 350 launch in 2013
Bajaj Auto to launch fully-faired version of new Pulsar 200NS
