Bajaj Auto set to launch Crystal this month

Model will mark the company's re-entry in the scooter segment.

Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto Limited is set to re-enter the scooters segment with the launch of Crystal - the automatic scooter built on the nee DTSi platform.

Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj said in a statement on Monday that the new scooter will be launched later this month. The launch is the result of the company's research and development efforts over the last one year or so.

Bajaj has announced earlier at the company's annual general meeting that the company had achieved a breakthrough in terms of the DTSi technology and a highly environment-friendly product would be introduced in the near future.

The statement also said the company will increase its motorcycles production to 300,000 per month by March 2007, in response to the increased demand from the market.

Owing to growth across all segments and regions, Bajaj motorcycles sold 187,000 units in December 2006, registering a 26 per cent growth over December 2005 sales of 148,000 units. This was in sharp contrast to the flat or negative sales growth registered by other major motorcycle manufacturers, the statement stated.

At 738,000 2-& 3-wheelers, Bajaj sales in October-December 2006 were the highest-ever. The rise in sales has led to a significant gain in market share for Bajaj motorcycles to 35.5 per cent.

The statement said the company's three-wheeler and export sales continue to exceed expectation and this trend appears likely to be maintained in the next quarter as well.