Bajaj Auto (BAL) MD Rajiv Bajaj told ET: “Certainly, we wish to participate in the 800 cc and above segment. We are in talks with Yamaha. We are looking at other overseas partners but I can’t reveal my plans yet.” When asked whether Bajaj would enter the big bike segment in collaboration with Kawasaki as its overseas partner, Mr Bajaj refused to comment.
Japanese bike maker Yamaha had first initiated talks with Bajaj in November last year. Yamaha’s global team led by Yamaha Japan president Takashi Kajikawa had visited Bajaj’s facilities and had talks with the companies. The two bike majors might join hands for making co-badged bikes for the higher segments both for the domestic and export markets, said auto industry sources.
As far as the company’s model line up is concerned, the company plans to launch four new models this fiscal year. “Besides our new entry level bike platform, we plan to launch a motorcycle in the higher segment. The Avenger will be strapped with a bigger engine and we will also launch a scooter before the end of the,” said Mr Bajaj.
The company plans to consolidate its exports in Indonesia and Nigeria and other countries. The company had last year said that it will invest Rs 1,500 crore in the next two to three years and would spend a large chunk of this to ramp up capacity and develop products in the two-wheeler & four-wheeler category, for domestic markets as well as exports.
Most global bike-makers will be seen competing in the niche 800cc and above segment. Yamaha India on its own has plans to launch its MT01 and 998 cc YZF-R1. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India is looking at importing models like CBR 1000 and GLX 1800. Suzuki Motorcycle & Scooter India might vroom in the 749-cc GSX-R750.
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