Bajaj auto to sell super bikes in India

Now ‘Lakhtakia Car’ is sparkling in the news in whole media and likely to buzz in the Indian market soon but it will not be easily available for every one because of its extreme demand before coming on the road, whereas ‘Singur’ matter is still unsolved.

But on the same Venue, Auto Expo-2008 in Pragati Maidan, Delhi, there is extremely good news for adventure bike lovers as Bajaj Auto Ltd has announced to introduce ‘super bikes’ manufactured by its permanent technical partner Kawasaki Motors Corp. Japan first time in India.

Addressing to media on January 11 in Auto Expo hall no 03 at Pragati Maidan, Rajiv Bajaj, the Chairman of Bajaj Auto Ltd, said “Both companies have synergised their strengths to widen the portfolio in their respective markets. The domestic customer can now experience the power of big biking,”

Bajaj and Kawasaki have singed a deal to sell their products as under mutual exchange policy in which Bajaj will sell top super bikes of Kawasaki in India’s exclusive probiking showrooms from the mid of this year, while Kawasaki will promote Bajaj’s product in overseas. Kawasaki is already selling some models of Bajaj bikes in Philippines.

Till the mid of this year, four models of Kawasaki ‘Ninja 250’, sports roadster ‘ER-6n’, super sports bike ‘Ninja ZX6R’ and ‘Vulcan Cruiser Z1000’ will be available in all the 10 exclusive probiking showrooms of BAL in India. BAL is also planning to open 10 more exclusive probiking showrooms across the country by March 2008.

‘Ninja’ model is the most popular model in US, Europe and Japan. Bollywood star John Abraham’ had used this bike showing some unbelieving stunts in super-duper hit movie Dhoom. Since then these bikes became the dream bikes for many sports bike lovers.

Ninja-250 is a very powerful bike containing an eight-valve DOHC, liquid-cooled 250cc fuel injection engine that develops 30bhp of peak power with attached a six-speed gearbox. It generates 30 PS at 10,500 rpm. Its 6-speed transmission makes it a versatile performer.

All the four models of Kawasaki were earlier designed to sell in US, Europe in Japan, but now it will also run on dusty Indian roads.

Bajaj has also signed an agreement with an Austrian sportsbike manufacturer KTM to promote its two super model bikes ‘1190 RC 8’ and ‘690 Duke’ by the middle of this year.

Unveiling super bikes, the president of Kawasaki Consumer Products and Machinery Company, Mr Shinichi Tamba, said: “India is a very important market for the company and Bajaj Auto is a strong partner. The Indian market is in the cusp of progressing to big bikes and Kawasaki is highly regarded in this segment.”

BAL will planning to import the bikes in knocked down form which will later assembled at Bajaj's Chakan plant in India. “This method will save the import duty and the prices of these super bikes will also be reduced.” said Rajiv Bajaj.

Kawasaki is Bajaj’s reliable technical partner since mid 80s and promised to assist Bajaj in all technical aspects with providing the necessary service training and parts back-up while Bajaj auto will handle the distribution and marketing department.