Bajaj

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

Image – MRD Vlogs
Bajaj Auto has posted positive two wheeler sales both in domestic and global markets

Auto sales have noted a surge in domestic markets over the past few months following a long spate of dismal performance. Bajaj Auto Limited has revealed their sales figures for the month of November 2020 wherein it can be seen that two wheeler sales increased substantially, both in domestic markets and were exports were concerned.
Two Wheeler Sales
Bajaj Two wheeler sales in India increased 7 percent to 1,88,196 units in Nov 2020, up from 1,76,337 units sold in November 2019. Exports on the other hand noted an 18 percent growth to 1,96,797 units, as against 1,67,109 units shipped in the same month of the previous year thus taking total sales of two wheelers up 12 percent to 3,84,993 units. Motorcycle sales were dominated by Pulsar, CT, Platina, Avenger, Dominar.
Bajaj Auto Sales Nov 2020
Where the company’s commercial vehicles were concerned, sales suffered de-growth both in terms of domestic sales and exports. Domestic sales dipped as much as 66 percent to 10,737 units while exports fell 6 percent to 26,510 units.
Taking total commercial vehicle sales down 38 percent to 37,247 units in the past month as against 59,777 units sold in November 2019. Total sales of the company increased 5 percent to 4,22,240 units in November 2020, up from 4,03,223 units sold in November 2019.
Year to Date Sales
When assessing year to date sales during the period April to November 2020, Bajaj Auto Limited suffered de-growth both in terms of domestic sales and exports and in the case of two wheelers and commercial vehicles.
Bajaj Auto Sales Apr-Nov 2020
Two wheeler sales fell 23 percent in India to 11,93,002 units in the 8 month period of 2020, down from 15,51,139 units sold in the same period of 2019. Exports on the other hand fell 18 percent to 10,26,675 units thus taking total sales of two wheelers down 21 percent to 22,19,677 units in the April to November 2020 period down from 28,09,266 units sold in the same period of the previous year.
Commercial vehicle sales also suffered de-growth both in terms of domestic sales and exports. Domestic sales dipped 80 percent to 51,940 units, down from 2,61,645 units while exports fell 26 percent to 1,59,101 units in the April to November 2020 period down from 2,16,325 units sold in the same period of 2019 thus taking total sales down 56 percent to 2,11,041 units
YTD two wheeler and commercial vehicle sales of Bajaj Auto Limited thus dipped 26 percent to 24,30,718 units. Domestic sales stood at 12,44,942 units, down 31 percent as against 18,12,784 units sold in April to November 2019 while exports dipped 20 percent to 11,85,776 units as against 14,74,412 units sold in the same period of the previous year. More