Bajaj to Introduce 2 New Motorcycles Based on the V Platform
Bajaj Auto's new V15 has created quite a name for itself in its short span since its launch in the commuter segment and the company is now looking to expand the V family with more motorcycles in the coming months.
The first motorcycle is scheduled to go on sale by this November
The second bike will be launched in the country during the 2017-18 fiscal
Bajaj could introduce higher capacity engines on the upcoming V bikes
Bajaj Auto's new V15 has created quite a name for itself in its short span since its launch in the commuter segment and the company is now looking to expand the V family with more motorcycles in the coming months. The Pune based bike maker is planning to two introduced more bikes based on the V platform with one lined up for launch within this financial year (2016-17), while the other will make it in the next.
In a recent statement, Bajaj Auto, Managing Director, Rajiv Bajaj said "From April 2016 to March 2018, the biggest focus for us is to leverage this platform we created so that we can get a very healthy share of the commuter market."
Bringing novelty with the unconventional styling and its patriotic association with the decommissioned INS Vikrant warship, has made the V15 one of the most sought after options for commuters buyers looking for style and substance. The motorcycle that went on sale in March has been tremendously popular with even actor Aamir Khan purchasing one. While that certainly has worked for Bajaj, the company is now looking to capitalise on the growing popularity while retaining the same sentiment, and is expect to finally change the bike maker's fortunes in the commuter segment, a space where it has been struggling to find growth.
Elaborating further on the launch timeline, Rajiv Bajaj said, “The second (motorcycle) will come sometime around November which will hopefully be an equal or bigger success than V15. Then I will give it another six months, which means the third will be out around May-June 2017.” The commuter space cumulatively sells around 6 lakh units every month, of which Bajaj commands a share of just 40,000 units. Clearly, the company needs the V platform to succeed tremendously to take on segment leaders Honda, Hero MotorCorp and TVS.
The move could see Bajaj marry higher capacity engines with the V platform, borrowing the 180 or 200cc DTS-i engines perhaps from the Pulsar family; albeit tuned for high torque output. This will also address the the V15 power drawback, sinceh the current 150cc single-cylinder engine with 12hp and 13Nm of torque feels underpowered to some owners. Nevertheless, Bajaj seems to finally getting it right in the commuter space and has iterated that the INS Vikrant association will be extended to the new products as well. More details will be available in the following months, possibly after the Pulsar CS 400 goes on sale this quarter.
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