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The country's second largest bike maker Bajaj Auto Ltd on Tuesday cocked a snook at those who sniggered at its efforts to get into the passenger car market. The company silently unveiled its 'Lite' concept car in New Delhi, two days before the much hyped launch of Tata Motors' Rs 1 lakh car.
The car -- which reminds you of the Matiz front on, but has a very upright auto-like back -- has been conceptualized by the Baja j team at Akurdi, near Pune.
Bajaj Auto expects to launch its small car in the next four years in partnership with Renault and Nissan. They are developing both diesel and petrol engines. Bajaj Auto will also be setting up a new manufacturing unit in Chakan that will manufacture the small car and light commercial vehicle.
Bajaj has done away with the centre panel and placed the two front seats touching each other. The gear shaft has been mounted on the dashboard.
The company said it will also take inputs from Renault-Nissan for development. In a statement, the company said, 'The Lite concept would first offer low running costs and affordable monthly outflows coupled with a reasonable cost of acquisition. This would lead to unbeatable total cost of operation'.
The company did not reveal any specification, price or launch date. The initial installed capacity will be 250,000 units and the company will look at exporting the car, BAL managing director Rajiv Bajaj said.
Bajaj also said it will launch three two-wheelers in the executive and premium segment during 2008. The company would launch two motorcycles -- XCD 125 cc DTS-i Sprint and Discover 150 cc DTS-i -- and one scooter 125 cc Blade within this year.
"The 125 cc motorcycle segment is getting crowded so we would upgrade the Discover to 150 cc," BAL CEO (two-wheelers) S Sreedhar told reporters in New Delhi.
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| Author: m.v. subba raju 25 Aug 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 3 |
Hi Nitin,
This is nice and interesting information. Now, people are eagerly waiting for the launch of Tata Nano Car. If another product comes into market by the big company like Bajaj it will be so nice. We will be welcoming the new product. Nowadays each and every family wants to take a car. If it comes in the affordable price the dream of middle class will become real, and not a dream.
Subba Raju, MV
Member, IRC
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| Author: RajmiArun 26 Aug 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 |
Hi Nitin,
Thanks for this very useful information. Infact if and only if we have comptetions in all segments the performance will be good. And competition from a company like Bajaj will definitely be a welcome aspect by all. But as the Nano is to be launced shortly, if Bajaj comes with its cars atleast one of the variant as early as possible then we could expect a tougher comptetion between Nano and Bajaj Cars.
RajmiArun,
Webmaster, IRC
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| Author: lalitha rajappa 28 Aug 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 2 |
Hi Nitin,
It is good that Bajaj is coming with its small version of cars for the Indians. this again is going to creat congestion on the roads and will add upto more and more trafic jams. terrific it would be if we keep on adding more and more bulky vehicles at a very low price. What we need to do is that we must force the government to improve mass transport system and should encourage people to use them. Till then just sit and watch while you are in a traffic jam.
Lalitha Rajappa,
Member, IRC
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| Author: chandra sekhar 26 Nov 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 2 |
Dear Nitin,
Its happy to hear that Bajaj is going to launch small cars Nano. But I don't how successful they are going to be. Because TATA still is still not able to launch its most famous Nano due to various reasons. Please let me know once Bajaj launch its small car.
Thanking you.
Sekhar Chandra, IRCian
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