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Bajaj, Kawasaki mull big bike import

BS Corporate Bureau in Mumbai | July 22, 2003 10:04 IST

Bajaj Auto and its technology partner Kawasaki Heavy Industries are exploring the option of importing big-capacity motorbikes through the completely built unit route.

R L Ravichandran, vice president, business development & marketing, Bajaj Auto, said that Bajaj and Kawasaki are now in the process of identifying the products.

'We can decide on any CBU product, but then it doesn't make sense to introduce a motorcycle at Rs 6 lakh-plus (over Rs 600,000). By January next year, we will come to know the right model that we would bring to India, at the right price point," Ravichandran said.

Bajaj Auto and Kawasaki are exploring the possibility of floating a 50:50 joint marketing company in India.

Initially the proposed joint venture will be exploring exporting avenues with the jointly developed Wind 125.

Kawasaki, the technology partner of Bajaj Auto is also looking at marketing bikes exclusively produced by Bajaj Auto, like Pulsar, in the overseas markets.

Rahul Bajaj, the chairman and managing director of Bajaj Auto, however ruled out the possibility of Kawasaki picking up a stake in Bajaj Auto as well as Bajaj Auto picking up a stake in any of the Asian ventures of Kawasaki, as envisaged earlier.

At the launch of Wind 125, Bajaj Auto's new variant in the executive segment, Rahul Bajaj said, "Initially the proposed joint marketing company would be floated with a small equity base."

"We share a healthy relationship with Kawasaki based on a mutual understanding. We compliment and supplement each other in various areas. An equity partnership does not necessarily inspire more confidence within the partner," Bajaj said. While Kawasaki provides the technological edge, Bajaj enables a low cost of production, he explained.

The new bike from Bajaj Auto stable is attractively priced at Rs 42,435 (ex-showroom Pune) and targets the family bike category.

The company is targeting to sell 8000-10,000 bikes per month. Apart from domestic sale he bike would be having a special thrust on exports.


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