The approval process for the RE60 does not stop with the recommendations of the Dinesh Tyagi committee. The next step is another endorsement from the Automotive Industry Standards Committee.

After this is done, the Technical Standing Committee of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules would have to give its approval. The final go-ahead will then have to come from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

There is no telling how long the entire exercise will take. An optimistic estimate would put it at three months while the outer limit could be twice as long. By then, the 2014 Auto Expo will be all set to take off from its new venue at Noida near Delhi!

Sources say Bajaj Auto has been getting enquiries for the RE60 from a host of countries across the ASEAN region. Will it kick off exports even before getting the nod from the Indian Government? Unlikely as any change in specifications will need extra investments in tooling which may just not be worth it. To that extent, the company would rather wait for a clear policy on quadricycles to emerge. It will be interesting to see how many companies join the parade once the RE60 hits the roads. M&M and Piaggio are already being touted as the next in line while Eicher could also throw its hat in the ring. There is sure a lot of action in store.

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