Pune-based, country's second largest bike maker Bajaj Auto today launched the Platina 125 motorcycle, which is the company's first among it's three motorcycle offerings for the year.
The 125cc bike priced at Rs 39,000 (ex-showroom) is claimed to be cheaper than India's largest selling 100cc bike Hero Honda Splendor, which is priced at Rs 41,000.
Amit Nandi, general manager (marketing), Bajaj Auto, said, "Our aim is to convert the user of 100cc bikes to 125cc. This new bike will offer the power of a 125cc motorcycle and also deliver a mileage of more than 100 kms to a litre."
The bike is based on the engine platform of the XCD 125, which was launched during the same period last year. It's engine, which sports two spark plugs will bear the same technology, DTS-Si, patented by the company. The company will launch two more models using the similar platform in the next 6 months.
"One of the two launches will happen before December", said Nandi.
Bajaj Auto will start with an initial production of about 15,000 units per month for the Platina 125 at it's Waluj plant based in Aurangabad, which will be gradually hiked to 20,000-25,000 units a month.
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The company currently has a market share of 50 per cent in the 125cc+ motorcycle segment. According to the company the 125cc and above segment constitutes 36 per cent of the motorcycle industry and has grown at 14 per cent as opposed 9 per cent for the sub-125cc segment in the first quarter of this financial year.
With a steady fall in the 100cc segment, many two wheeler manufacturers are targeting the 125cc segment. A total of six companies including Bajaj Auto, Hero Honda, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and TVS Motors collectively sell eight models in the 125cc segment in the market.
Bajaj Auto has reported a drop of almost 1 per cent in sales during the five month period ending August 31, with total two wheeler sales of 6.23 lakh. The company blamed drying finance options and high lending rates prevailing in the market for the fall in off-take.
Meanwhile, market leader Hero Honda reported a growth of almost 20 per cent during the same period with sales of 14.46 lakh.