The Hindu Business Line : Bajaj may showcase small car prototype at Auto Expo

"We are working on a prototype for a small car. If it's an interesting design we will showcase it at the Auto Expo in January next year. It will be like Pulsar on four wheels and not Maruti at half its price," said Mr Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, BAL, reiterating that it would not be a cheap car if and when it materialises.

Amidst speculation that Bajaj would compete with the Tatas' Rs 1-lakh car, Mr Bajaj said, "We are experimenting with the concept. We are striving to be a good two-wheeler manufacturer and have no intention to get into a segment that we are not capable of doing."

Revival of sales

Turning his attention to the revival of falling sales, especially in the 100cc segment, he said the company would launch a bike in September to cater to customers in that segment.

"We have built a new platform to launch a bike in September that will not be in the 100cc segment but will appeal to customers in this segment," said Mr Bajaj at the launch of the new 220cc bike Pulsar priced at Rs 81,280.

He said the company expected sales of its two-wheelers to remain at the same level till September.

However, from October the company was targeting two lakh unit sales a month, following new launches.

BAL is planning an initial production of 50,000 units from its Aurangabad facility.

Revealing the company's strategy to go forward, Mr Bajaj said the company would focus on niche products rather than be a volume player.

"We don't want to sell more at the cost of our margins. That is the reason why the company continues to be profitable. We will continue our focus on high-end bikes with better margins," he said.

BAL would also be ramping up its production at its recently commissioned Pantnagar plant. "Last month we manufactured 20,000 units of Platina and we are ramping our production to 60,000-70,000 units in the coming months," said Mr Bajaj.

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