Discover will be key growth driver for Bajaj next fiscal

Bajaj Auto Ltd. | Automobile Two & Three Wheelers | Automobiles | BSE: 532977 | NSE: BAJAJ-AUTO

12 Nov 2010 Evaluate

Bajaj Auto's Discover will be the big growth driver in 2011-12 as its three plants gear up to roll out nearly five million bikes and three-wheelers annually. In monthly terms, this works out to nearly 4.2 lakh vehicles of which the Discover brand alone is expected to account for two lakh units. The Discover 100 and 150 are already doing combined numbers of around 1.5 lakh units a month and are expected to be tied at 80,000 units each by January 2011.

Since the bike is part of the buoyant commuter segment, Bajaj Auto is confident that numbers can only grow further from here. From the company's point of view, this is the best thing that could have happened to bolster its presence in the executive segment where Hero Honda has been the leader for years. The Discover 150 has also helped spawn a new product category in the form of the sporty commuter bike.

Going by present trends, production of the Pulsar could average one lakh units a month next fiscal while the Boxer and Platina at the lower end of the value pyramid would end up with around 50,000 units. Three-wheeler numbers are expected to average 40,000 units a month. Exports will continue to be a key component of the overall business plan. The company will also assemble the Duke 125 motorcycle from the KTM stable at its Chakan plant.