Bajaj

Image – Naveen
Bajaj Chetak Electric is currently on sale only in Pune and Bangalore – Has sold over 800 units in the last three months

Bajaj Auto has been contemplating on expansion of its electric scooter offering Chetak Electric to a wider network. It has been reported that the homegrown two-wheeler manufacturer is eyeing to add as many as 30 new cities to its existing network across the country by March 2022.
The above development was recently confirmed by Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto, in an interview with Live Mint. A full-scale nationwide rollout could become possible only after Phase-1 of the expansion plan takes effect. This can be achieved thanks to a drastic increase in production capacity after the opening of the second facility in Chakan.
Bajaj’s New Manufacturing Facility
Earlier this month, Bajaj revealed its plans of opening a new manufacturing facility, the second in Chakan and will be used to manufacture Chetak e-cooter along with models from joint ventures such as Triumph, KTM and Husqvarna. The brand is looking to invest Rs 650 crores in developing this new facility.
If everything goes as planned, Bajaj can start production of Chetak Electric at this new facility by 2023. Sharma also confirmed that this facility will be reserved for assembly of premium bikes and electric two-wheelers.
Bajaj Chetak Electric
Bajaj launched the Chetak electric scooter earlier this year in two cities- Pune and Bengaluru in order to receive consumers’ feedback and understand how they use this vehicle. Before making this new concept a pan-India offering, Bajaj wanted to test the market with a premium offering.
However, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown, resulted in supply chain constraints which is why Bajaj had to halt production of the electric scooter.
Expansion of EV Network
Due to this, the company had to stop accepting further orders from Chetak Electric and hold back its expansion plans. Currently, Bajaj is focused on completing the impending orders before the year comes to a close. With things improving in the last couple of months Bajaj is now looking to quicken its production speed. Like Ather Energy, Bajaj would expand its network for its high-speed e-scooter offering to Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities first.
The bikemaker has circled out locations such as Delhi, Chennai, Vizag, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Goa as part of the Phase I expansion plan. Chetak Electric has so far received a very healthy response from the two cities it is available in. The e-scooter has raked in over 800 units of sales volume in the last three months.
Such has been its positive response and that one of its rival companies has bought two units of Chetak Electric and shipped it to its R&D facility in Japan. Bajaj tracked down these two units using their GPS at its rival’s Japanese R&D facility. The company could be Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda. Currently, Chetak Electric competes against the likes of TVS iQube and Ather 450X.
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Bajaj Pulsar NS 200
Bajaj reported growth for domestic wholesales and exports in November 2020

Domestic sales growth for Bajaj in November 2020 was at 6.09 percent. Wholesales grew to 1,82,093 units from 1,71,641 units at volume gain of over 10k units. Comparatively, exports was even better. Bajaj Pulsar, the quintessential bestseller range was listed at 53.66 percent YoY growth.
Wholesales were up at 1,04,904 units from 68,268 units at volume gain of 36,636 units. Consequently, at 57.61 percent share of total Bajaj wholesales, it literally kept Bajaj’s float afloat.
Smaller displacement Pulsar range was most in demand at 56,549 units. This was followed by the 150cc segment offering at about 30k units. At the 200 cc threshold, wholesales was reported at 10,522 units. While the bigger under 250cc unit saw numbers listed at 7,114 units.
Beyond Bajaj Pulsar
There’s no denying that smaller displacement mass market daily commuters make up the majority of market demand. The same is true for Bajaj Platina. While sales stood at 41,572 units, it was noticeably lower than the 53,015 units reported a year earlier. Sales decline was at 21.58 percent. CT sales decline was even more steep. Wholesales fell to 29,046 units. Down 35.18 percent from 44,808 units. Like Platina, CT too aids Bajaj’s small motorcycle quest.
Bajaj Domestic Sales Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle brand
Avenger wholesales was stable at 4,616 units. But this is an easy feat owing too mall sales volume. In fact, Avenger only accounts for 2.53 percent of total domestic sales for Bajaj. Growth was reported at 10.54 percent, up from 4,176 units. The smaller displacement units was the sales star at 3,586 units. Dominar was once projected as the next big thing. Obviously that never came to fruition.
However, sales did pickup last month. At 1,691 units, up from 311 units. YoY growth stood at 443.73 percent. Both displacement units were sold in similar volume. While all of Bajaj’s products are strictly motorcycles, the company did resurrect Chetak last year.
Bajaj Domestic Sales Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle engine capacity
For the most part in an all new electric avatar barring the familiar name. 264 units were sold. Eventually, EV sales will be big. For now, its contribution to total domestic sales last month was .14 percent.
Exports grew in November 2020
Doing the month, Bajaj Boxer punched its way forward, even stronger than before. Sales grew to 1,25,286 units. Up from 98,772 units at 26.84 units. It made up 65.17 percent of exports. The smallest displacement boxer takes the lion’s share of sales at over a lakh units.
Bajaj Exports Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle brand
However many boundaries it crossed, Boxer sales in India has long since stopped. In the overseas department, Boxer deafest Pulsar sales by miles. At 32,540 units, exports grew 29.09 percent, up from 25,207 units. For Pulsar, its the mid variants that triumphed collectively at a cumulative total at over 15k units.
CT exports fell 37.51 percent, down to 13,566 units from 21,708 units. The 125cc units accounted for more than half of total sales. Discover exports dropped by almost 10 percent at 12,792 units from 14,208 units. Although once popular name in India, both variants were snipped at the start of FY21. They simply didn’t warrant a BS6 update.
Bajaj Exports Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle engine capacity
Dominar sales overseas was more than what the company achieved here. Exports grew manifold at 4,290 units, up from 579 units. Platina sales was stable at 3,578 units. Avenger continued its low volume run at 192 units. More

Excelsior-Henderson Super X. Credit – pinimg
Bajaj has reportedly purchased the IP rights to the long defunct US-based premium motorcycle brand

Bajaj Auto has filed a second trademark for Excelsior-Henderson with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on December 15, 2020 under the clothing category which includes riding apparel and gears. It is to be noted that earlier in 2018, the Indian two wheeler major filed a trademark for the aforementioned brand under the motorcycle design class which covers vehicles, spare parts and service.
Excelsior-Henderson – A brief history
Excelsior-Henderson is an ancient two wheeler brand which ceased to exist in its original form in 1931 during the Great Depression. Its origins can be traced back to an entity which was founded in 1876 under the banner Excelsior Supply Company as a cycle and parts manufacturer.
As it entered the new century, the Chicago based company progressed to making motorcycles, and in 1912, an Excelsior became the first motorcycle in the world to be officially timed at 100 mph (160 kmph). In the same year, Excelsior was bought by another Chicago-based cycle maker Schwinn who also bought Henderson Motorcycles in 1917 and merged the two subsidiaries.
As the Great Depression was projected to continue for several years, Schwinn shuttered Excelsior-Henderson’s motorcycle division abruptly in 1931 despite a full order book and shifted focus on the core business of bicycles. After several decades, in 1993, Hanlon Manufacturing Company revived the Excelsior-Henderson marque with its base in Minnesota.
Bajaj buys IP rights of Excelsior-Henderson motorcycles
The first production model of the new era was named Super X, a homage to the company’s early 20th-century history. Production commenced in 1999 with retro classic styling. In 1999 and 2000, the company produced a total of around 1,950 units before failing to secure additional funds to keep the operations going.
Future plans
Though Excelsior-Henderson ceased to exist as motorcycle OEM, the company still exists and owns intellectual properties. Photo from the trademark office confirms that Bajaj Auto has purchased the IP rights to the brand.
Given that other Indian two wheeler OEMs are attempting to revive vintage motorcycle brands as a gateway into international markets, Bajaj Auto could also be working on a similar strategy with Excelsior-Henderson. For example, TVS Motor Co recently purchased British marque Norton, and Mahindra-backed Classic Ledgends has revived Jawa and is reported to be working on bringing Yezdi back to the fore as well.
It is too early to speculate about what the trademark filings would eventually lead to, but it would be exciting to see Bajaj set up Excelsio-Henderson as a boutique motorcycle brand with exquisite designs and limited production runs. More

Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Render
The new manufacturing unit is set to come up at an investment of Rs.650 crores

Bajaj Auto Limited has announced its intention to set up a new plant in Chakan industrial area of Pune in Maharashtra. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Maharashtra and production is set to commence by 2023.
KTM, Husqvarna and Triumph bikes
As per rules and regulations of the Government, Bajaj Auto will go ahead with obtaining necessary permissions and registrations, approvals and clearances from the respective departments in the state. The facility is expected to commence production by 2023 and will focus particularly on production of high end KTM, Husqvarna and Triumph bikes.
The company also plans to shift production of the Chetak electric scooter to this new plant while plans are afoot to introduce other electric vehicles into the country. A few weeks ago, Mr Bajaj had stated that he was looking to setup a new plant outside Maharashtra as the conditions in the state were not favourable.
Bajaj Auto holds a 48 percent share in KTM and in Feb 2020 also introduced Husqvarna, also a part of the KTM Group, into the country. Bajaj Auto has also entered into a partnership with Triumph earlier this year for the production of its 200 to 750 cc range of motorcycles for both Indian and global markets.
Bajaj Chetak – Old vs New
Production Boost A Must
From total sales of 2.80 lakh units clocked in 2019, KTM expects to double this count of two wheeler sales in 2022. This would mean doubling production at the Bajaj Auto Chakan plant to around 4 lakh units from a current 1.08 lakh units as on date. This would include joint products of the KTM and Husqvarna brands and KTM products distributed by Bajaj on license fee.
The two companies have started work on electric two wheelers, the first of which will have power range of 3-10 kW and which will roll off the Chakan production lines. KTM is also developing a 4 kW electric scooter under the Husqvarna brand and this will be followed by the launch of the Husqvarna E-Pilen fully electric motorcycle with modular battery system with launch date set for 2022.
Target for Increased Market Share
Rajiv Bajaj is targeting increased market share of 20-25 percent over the next 12 months and hints that the electric scooter or motorcycle segments would be an attractive space to be in.
Bajaj Auto is celebrating its 75th year of operations in Maharashtra this year. The company has noted outstanding demand for the new Chetak electric scooter and now plans to enter the three wheeler electric space by mid 2021. This will be followed by an electric quadricycle and a performance electric motorcycle which the company is developing along with its Austrian partner KTM. More

Image – swift lifestyle
April to November 2020 sales of the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter stood at 1,122 units

The Bajaj Chetak electric scooter has been seeing steady sales particularly over the last three months. Launched in India in January 2020, just two months prior to the lockdown being announced in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bajaj Chetak managed to reach a tally of over 1000+ units at the end of October 2020.
In the past three months, sales have been consistent over 250+ units. Sales which had started off at 21 units in January and 100 units and 91 units in February and March respectively dipped to 0 units in the three months that followed only to pick up again in July 2020 with 10 units sold.
The three months of September-November have brought in better sales for the Bajaj Chetak above the 250 unit mark. September sales were at 288 units while October and November sales stood at 254 and 264 units respectively.
Bajaj Chetak Vs TVS iQube Sales
Its sole competitor in the electric scooter segment is the TVS iQube. While sales of the Chetak stood at a tally of 810 units in the Sept-Nov period, iQube sales have been at only 138 units while not even managing to cross the 100 unit mark each month. The Bajaj Chetak and the TVS iQube are the only two electric scooters on sale in India by mainstream manufacturers. However, why does one do so much better than the other is a reason for analysis.
Month
Bajaj Chetak
TVS iQube
Sep
288
7
Oct
258
32
Nov
264
99
Total
810
138
For starters, the Bajaj Chetak is on sale via 5 dealerships in Pune and 13 in Bengaluru. The TVS iQube is only retailed through 10 dealerships in Bengaluru. This being the case, the Chetak has a higher reach while its retro styling has also found better acceptability by buyers in the country.
Specs
Bajaj Chetak electric scooter, under the Bajaj Urbanite brand is offered in two variants, Urbane and Premium and priced at Rs.1 lakh and Rs.1.15 lakh respectively. It gets old school styling borrowing inspiration from the Vespa scooter. Features include LED lights at the front and rear, alloy wheels, keyless ignition, a fully digital instrument console and smartphone connectivity.
This feature uses Internet Of Things to alert the owner in the event of any sort of tampering to the scooter or if it has not been properly charged. The owner can also check scooter location, change status and balance range with this feature.
Bajaj Chetak electric is powered by a 3 kWh, IP67 rated battery pack offering 4kW power and 3.8 kW continuous power along with 16 Nm torque. It is offered in two ride modes of Sport and Eco with range of 95 km in Eco and 85 km in Sport. Battery charging can be done from 0 to 100 percent in 5 hours via a conventional 5A power socket. Fast charging is not on offer.
Bajaj also offers a 3 year or 50,000 km warranty with the Chetak which also includes the battery. Battery life is claimed at 70,000 kms with service interval set at 12,000 kms or 1 year. More

Image – RyT 2 KNOw
Apart from cash discounts, Bajaj Auto is offering attractive benefits such as low down payment options and flexible EMI schemes

As a year nears to a close, auto manufacturers offer substantial benefits in the form of discounts to attract more buyers in order to clear their stocks. Several manufacturers in both two-wheelers and passenger vehicle segments have started offering attractive benefits. Bajaj Auto has resorted to something similar.
The Indian bikemaker is offering year-end benefits on Pulsar 125 and Platina range. Both bikes are offered as entry-level motorcycles in Bajaj’s portfolio. Both bikes have been around for a long time now and one of the most popular bikes in the Pune-based manufacturer’s lineup.
Benefits on offer
For Pulsar 125, Bajaj is offering benefits of up toRs 2,000 across its variants. The Pulsar 125 is offered in four variants- single-seat drum, split seat drum, single-seat disc and slit seat disc.
The drum brake variants are offered with a cash discount of Rs 2,000 while the disc brake variants are available with a cash discount of Rs 1,500. Additionally, Bajaj is also offering a low down payment of just Rs 12,725. The offer is valid until December 15, 2020.
Bajaj discounts Dec 2020
The Platina range of bikes is offered in two configurations- Platina 100 and Platina 110 H-Gear and Bajaj is offering a cash discount of Rs 2800 and Rs 2500 respectively on both bikes.
Apart from this, the company is also offering a 5-year warranty as standard. Platina 110 H-Gear is offered in a single variant whereas Platina 100 is offered in two variants- drum brake and disc brake. Platina 100 starts at a price of Rs 58,605 while Platina 110 H-Gear is priced at Rs 63,027.
Bike Specifications
Pulsar 125 is one of the most sought-after bikes in the 125cc category due to its look. It serves as an affordable alternative to other Pulsar motorcycles. It is powered by a 124.4cc single-cylinder fuel-injector motor which uses two spark plugs and two valves. This unit is tuned to generate 11.8 PS of maximum power at 8,500 rpm and 10.8 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. It is paired with a 5-speed gearbox.
Platina 100 is powered by a 102cc single-cylinder engine which produces 7.9 PS of power at 7500rpm and 8.3 Nm of peak torque at 5500rpm. It is linked to a 4-speed gearbox. On the other hand, Platina 110 H-Gear draws its power from a 115.45cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which kicks out 8.6 PS of power at 7000rpm and 9.81 Nm of peak torque at 5000rpm. This unit is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. More