Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto Ltd has launched its new range of sporty bikes under the Pulsar brand here and outlined plans to consolidate its market share further, taking it up from 43 per cent to 50 per cent with more offerings, including higher capacity bikes going up to 500 cc.
Introducing new-age bikes under the Pulsar brand, Sumeet Narang, Vice-President, Bajaj Auto Ltd, said: “These bikes demonstrate the R&D prowess of the company in terms of styling, performance, technology and features. We will continue to roll out more models in due course depending upon the feedback we get from our customers and what the market demands.”
The company unveiled the Pulsar Adventure Sport series with Pulsar AS 200 and Pulsar AS150 along with Pulsar RS 200.
Narang said: “Today, Pulsar range sells more than 55,000 units per month in the domestic sports motorcycle market with a leadership market share of 43 per cent making it India’s No.1 sports bike for 14 years in a row. We are confident the new offerings will enable us to reach closer to 50 per cent.”
The smart sporty bike segment, where Pulsar operates with its bikes starting from 135 cc capacity motorcycle, has grown from 10 per cent of the total bike market few years ago to almost double to about 18-20 per cent, averaging sales of about 1.3 lakh to 1.4 lakh per month. “We see this segment will further grow as young and aspirational population takes to such bikes,” he said.
Interestingly, the 200 cc to 250 cc segment, which currently accounts for barely one per cent of the total bike market, is also expected to grow significantly.
“The initial focus for the company is to cater to the domestic market where there is a waiting period for the bike. Later, as volumes go up and domestic business is addressed fully, we would begin exports to other markets,” he said.