Two-wheeler maker Bajaj Auto has begun production of its bikes in China for exports to Nigeria, a potential market for low-cost and unbranded bikes.
"Earlier this month, we began production in China and have shipped 1,000 made-in-China bikes to Nigeria through India," Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj said at an analyst conference recently.
Nigeria is believed to be a big market for unbranded bikes priced between $300 and $400. The Chinese are selling their bikes in the Nigerian market with a price range of $300-400.
The company is targeting the unbranded segment in Nigeria. It has named its bike Boxer and it would not carry the Bajaj name. Bajaj, in association with Kawasaki, was making the bike Boxer, which it discontinued in 2004.
Bajaj did not give the price of Boxer. However, the market size of bikes in Nigeria has shrunk owing to the global economic slowdown, Bajaj said.
In future, Bajaj would look at integrating the operations in India and China paving way for the launch of Boxer in India, he said.
By the end of this fiscal, the Chinese factory would make 10,000 bikes per month, he added.
