Bajaj Auto, which is eyeing a 20-25% rise in bike sales this year, has said it would invest Rs 200 crore over the next 18 months."Even as the base is high, we expect motorcycle sales to be up 25-30% this financial year," Bajaj Auto Chairman Rahul Bajaj told reporters.For the financial year ending March 31, 2005, the company's bike sales stood at 1.45 million units, a growth of 42%.Bajaj said the push to sales would be driven by greater focus on rural markets, apart from the existing markets. "Also, we will be adding more dealers," Rahul said further.The new investments specifically for the domestic market would be used for expansion, new model launches, research and development and toolings.Bajaj also said that the company would launch up to three new scooters models in the next calender year. "These would be between 75-150 cc and will be in both geared and gearless categories," he added.Scooter sales in India have been on the decline over the years, with motorcycles carrying most of the numbers with a market-share of 80% of the two-wheeler market.Bajaj said that he expected scooter sales of the company to be almost flat this financial year.
