Starting next week, the country's two most profitable automakers, Bajaj Auto and Eicher Motors, will launch their highly anticipated motorcycles. While for Bajaj, the product will come with a new brand name, the first in nearly a decade adding to its flagship models Discover and Pulsar, for Royal Enfield, the new Himalayan motorcycle will be its first launch in 18 months.
Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto says, "We have not done well with Discover. There is a gap which will be addressed with a new launch and that will be the big story from Bajaj Auto."
Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO at Eicher Motors says, "Yes, we are ready for the launch and it will happen by first half of 2016."
The two launches are significant for the two motorcycle giants but for different reasons. Bajaj believes the soon-to-be-launched 150 cc commuter bike, called "V", will be the antidote to Hero Motocorp's dominance in this segment.Royal Enfield's new Himalayan will be its first launch in 18 months and the first of the two products it will launch to realize its ambitions of becoming the number 1 motorcycle brand in the world in the medium-duty segment that is between 250 cc and 750 cc.
Eicher Motors’ Lal says, "we are eying the medium-duty segment. We will be launching two products and the first one is ready."
Bajaj's V has already created a stir with its launch film built using the metal from India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant after it was consigned to the scrap yard two years ago. Bajaj is hoping to recapture the Hamara Bajaj fervour. The offering will be crucial for the company to up its market share in the bread and butter segment where it lags hero
Rajiv Bajaj says, "we will get to the 22-23 percent market share. We were having some trouble with the Discover."
Both launches will happen back to back, with Bajaj being the first off the block. Incidentally, both companies have decided to give the bi-annual auto expo a miss and instead position their launches ahead of the auto jamboree.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
