Bajaj Auto lines up new V, Avenger variants in H2 FY2018

Bajaj Auto is set to offer a few more options to bikers. The company has lined new variants for its V and Avenger models. They are scheduled for launch during the current half of FY2017-18. 

The new planned variants for the two successful motorcycle series within Bajaj Auto’s portfolio are slated to provide the company much required sales boost during the October '17-March '18 period. According to a source aware of Bajaj Auto’s plans, the company aims to position the new Bajaj V variant between its entry-level commuter models CT100 and Platina and the V15. 

The company has reported domestic sales of 247,418 units (motorcycles) in September, which marked a YoY growth of 7.34 percent. This includes highest-ever monthly sale of 112,075 units of its Pulsar range (including exports). Pulsar’s domestic sales scaled to 84,095 units last month. 

Similarly, Bajaj Auto, India’s fourth largest two-wheeler company, reportedly sold 78,493 units of its CT100 and 47,712 units of its Platina in September. Notably, Bajaj Auto’s Pulsar, CT100 and Platina range – all feature in September’s top 10 bestselling motorcycles. 

Bajaj Auto looks to stabilise sales of its Pulsar range to about 65,000-70,000 units per month in non-festival months during Q4 FY2017-18. The company management is mulling to add a new variant each to its V and Avenger portfolios respectively in an effort to boost and stabilize sales of the two families during Q3-Q4 FY2018. 

Notably, according to the SIAM data, Bajaj Auto has sold 71,365 units of its V series (averaging 11,894 units per month) and 55,021 units of its Avenger cruisers (averaging 9,170 units per month) during H1 FY2018. 

The company is gunning for 20 percent growth in its domestic sales in H2 FY2017-18. “Bajaj Auto’s senior management is expecting to chart a growth of about 20 percent YoY in H2 on last year’s low base, which was the result of demonetisation and early transition to BS IV emission norms. The sales remained low for the company due to these reasons,” added a market analyst on the Rajiv Bajaj – led company.

The company has had a busy year during the Q1 and Q2 this fiscal. It has added a number of new variants to its existing motorcycle families including CT100 Electric Start, Platina ES (electric start), Platina Comfortec, Pulsar NS160 and NS200 ABS and Dominar 400 matte black, along with announcing its path breaking alliance with UK’s Triumph Motorcycles in August.

The new CT100, Platina and Pulsar NS variants seem to have contributed well to Bajaj Auto's monthly sales. According to the company, the new Pulsar NS models have garnered sales of more than 40,000 units in Q2 FY2017-18. The company, however, does not plan to add any more variant(s) to its Pulsar range in H2 FY2018. 

Also read : Bajaj Auto posts net profit of Rs. 1,112 crore in Q2, down 1% YoY