Bajaj

Bajaj Chetak
The Bajaj Chetak will soon be available in more cities as the company is gradually addressing its production constraints

Bajaj Chetak electric scooter was launched in Bangalore and Pune at the beginning of the year amid much fan fare. The plan was to gradually expand to market coverage important cities across the country but things came to a grinding halt before they even took off.
Bajaj Chetak’s slow start
For starters, with only one full month of sales in the aforementioned two cities, the country went into a lockdown thereby forcing Bajaj Auto to halt dispatches of its first electric scooter. In the months of April, May and June, not even a single Chetak left the factory but this had been the case for most vehicles in the country.
To make the matters worst, the border tension between India and China, compounded by pandemic-driven logistical bottlenecks, made sourcing certain critical components from China very tricky. This led to production constraints for the Bajaj Chetak and closing of bookings. However, the recent dispatch figures indicate that the company has more or less sorted its issues out.
Signs of growth
Since July, the monthly sales figures of Bajaj Chetak have been showing steady growth. Last month, the neo-classic electric scooter managed to clock 288 units, its best ever monthly sales performance since its launch in January 2020. Bajaj will be hoping to continue the strong month-on-month growth throughout this festive season and even further.
Month
Chetak
iQube
Jan
21
0
Feb
100
0
Mar
91
18
Apr
0
0
May
0
0
Jun
0
30
Jul
120
23
Aug
192
23
Sep
288
7
Total
812
101
In comparison, the TVS iQube electric scooter which was introduced a few days before the lockdown has been struggling even harder to settle into a rhythm. The scooter’s best monthly sales performance of 30 units came in June and it ended last month with a paltry tally of 7 units.
Bajaj Chetak – Old vs New
It looks like TVS is facing a significant production constraint rather than lack of demand. As of September 2020, 812 units of Bajaj Chetak EV were sold as against 101 units of TVS iQube.
Market expansion
Bajaj is gearing up to kick start the first phase of its market expansion during this quarter with Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakapatnam, Jaipur, Delhi and Goa the next destinations. In the foreseeable future, the Bajaj Chetak will be available in 30 cities across the country including the existing 2.
The market expansion is sure to bring in significant incremental sales but the pace of growth will be dictated by the two wheeler giant’s ability to ramp up its production. Next year, Bajaj Chetak will also spawn Husqvarna E01 electric scooter which will be made in India for global consumption. More

Bajaj Auto Platina and Pulsar 125 motorcycles are among the lead sellers in the company lineup month after month
Bajaj Platina Discounts

Two wheeler makers in India are gearing up to cash in on added sales this festive season. The current pandemic situation in the country has steered more customers into two and four wheeler showrooms anxious to get their own personal means of transport in keeping with the social distancing norms.
The auspicious month of October should see each of these automakers register better sales especially with the hefty discounts and schemes being offered by each. Suzuki introduced free accessories of Rs. 1,500 on its scooter range and worth Rs.3,000 on purchase of a Suzuki motorcycle.
Honda customers can avail six distinct benefits under ‘Super 6 Offer’ on purchase of the Honda Activa 6G and Honda Shine. Yamaha has also announced similar festive offers for its 125cc scooters – Fascino 125 FI, Ray ZR 125 FI and Ray ZR 125 Street Rally and now Bajaj Auto Limited has also made similar announcements.
Bajaj Auto Platina and Pulsar 125 range
The Pune based two wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto Limited, has extended special cash discounts on the Platina 100 and 110 H Gear along with the Pulsar 125.
Bajaj Pulsar 125
These two Bajaj bikes are among the best selling motorcycles in the Indian market. The discounts are valid till the 31st October 2020 and buyers can also avail of a standard 5 year warranty that the company is offering across range.
There is a Rs.1,600 cash discount on the Bajaj Platina 100 ES Drum variant which currently retails at Rs.58,605. This cash discount extends to Rs.2,800 on the Platina 100 ES Disc variant while the Platina 100 H Gear Disc, priced at Rs.63,027, is at a discount of Rs.2,500.
Festive discounts on the Pulsar 125 range are between Rs.2,000 to Rs.3,000. Buyers of the 125 Drum variant, which is priced at Rs.72,122, can avail of a discount of Rs.2,500 and those opting for the Pulsar 125 Split seat Drum variant priced at Rs.73,274 can get a discount of Rs.3,000. Cash discounts on the Pulsar 125 Disc and 125 Split Seat Disc, priced at Rs.76,922 and Rs.80,218 respectively, stand at Rs.2,000.
Bajaj Sales
Bajaj Auto has noted a 24 percent increase in September 2020 sales to 2,19,500 units up from 1,77,348 units sold in September 2019 and most sales came from the Pulsar and Platina range. Besides noting increase in domestic markets, global exports also surged 16 percent and were the highest ever exports recorded at 1,85,351 units taking total two wheeler sales in September up 20 percent to 4,04,851 units. More

The Neuron trademark could turn out to be Bajaj Auto’s upcoming cruiser or classic retro-style motorcycle
Digital Render

In the latest development, Bajaj Auto has registered a ‘Neuron’ trademark in India which gives an indication that a new product might be on the way. And as per reports going around it is speculated to be a bike in the sub-400cc retro-style design.
This means it is expected to rival the likes of Royal Enfield Classic 350 and the recently revealed Honda H’Ness CB350.
The sub-400cc space of commuter cum touring motorcycles is a big hit among India bikers, especially the youth. Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more brands would want to venture into this segment.
It should be pointed out that Bajaj already has a cruiser range named ‘Avenger’ and the latest trademark ‘Neuron’ is expected to take certain design inspirations from it. The Avenger nameplate is currently one of the oldest in the manufacturer’s lineup along with the Pulsar and Discover range and is also one of the most loved ones. It might also be the case that the current bike is built on the cruiser’s platform itself.

Trademark Details
The word ‘Neuron’ is mostly used in medical terminologies in which it is the basic working unit of the brain. A group of neurons is specialized cells within the human nervous system that do their duties, transmitting information to other nerve cells, muscle, or gland cells. We definitely have to know what made Bajaj pick such a trademark.
From the trademark journal, it can be seen that the homegrown manufacturer had applied for it on 3rd July 2020 and got it approved on September 28. A notion of thought was also given that it might be an upcoming motorcycle from the Bajaj and Triumph joint venture. However, this possibility can be ruled out since none of the products from this joint venture will be given Bajaj branding.

Expected Powertrain
As far as the powertrain is concerned, Bajaj already has a sub-400cc engine in its kit. It employs a 373.2cc engine on the Dominar 400 which could be utilised in this upcoming model. However, fitting it into a retro-classic or a cruiser body might be a challenge in itself. It should be noted that there has been no word from Bajaj on this matter yet as these are only speculations.
If the above engine is indeed utilised to power the ‘Neuron’, then it will be capable of generating 39.4 bhp at 8650 rpm and 35 Nm of peak torque at 7000 rpm. Apart from Classic 350 and H’Ness CB350, other motorcycles in this coveted segment are Jawa Forty-Two and Benelli Imperiale. More

This is the third price hike applied to the Avenger range of motorcycles since their BS6 versions were launched earlier this year
Image – Sachin Khataviya

Bajaj Auto has increased price of its cruiser range of motorcycles, i.e, the Avenger series which consists of Street 160 and Cruise 220. Prior to this, Avenger Street 160 and Avenger Cruise 220 were pegged at Rs 99,597 and Rs 1,21,133 respectively. After an increment of Rs 1,497 each, both bikes now cost Rs 1,01,094 and Rs 1,22,630 respectively. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom.
At the time of launch of their BS6 models- Street 160 was offered at a price of Rs 95,891 whereas the Cruiser 220 was retailed at Rs 1.20 lakh (Both prices are ex-showroom). Even after multiple price hikes, the Avenger range of bikes remains extremely value for money.
The duo are still by far the most affordable cruiser bikes in India. Together, the Avenger range accounts for about 5k to 6k units in monthly sales.
Retro Design
The hike in prices has led to no changes in design, cosmetics, features on specifications on either of the bikes. Both motorcycles are based on an old-school retro cruiser design that shares similar elements such as a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, wide handlebars for a laid-back riding position and a single stepped-up seat. The round headlamps and turn indicators give out the old-school retro vibe.

Differences in design between Street 160 and Cruise 220
Although both carry similar design language- there are subtle differences to tell them apart. While the Street 160 looks slightly more modernised with blacked-out components and a pulled back handlebar, the Cruiser 220 is finished with chrome on exhausts, engine and handlebar which is more upright than the former and looks like a conventional cruiser.
Cruise 220 also gets a tall windshield which is absent in Street 160. Avenger Street 160, on the other hand, gets blacked-out alloy wheels whereas Cruise 220 gets spoke wheels.
Mechanical Details
Coming to the powertrain department, Street 160 is powered by a 160cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, air-cooled engine. This unit is capable enough to push out 14.8 bhp and 13.7Nm of peak torque. Whereas, the Cruise 220 draws its power from a larger 220cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, oil-cooled mill which churns out 19 bhp and 17.5 Nm of peak torque. Both these units are linked to a 5-speed gearbox.
The bikes have been equipped with telescopic forks at front and dual shock absorbers at rear to carry out the suspension tasks. Braking duties are carried out by disc brake at front and drum brake at rear which is assisted by a single-channel ABS. Also READ; Bajaj Dominar 250 Price Hike Oct 2020 and Bajaj Pulsar Prices Updated For Oct 2020. More