Slowdown due to product fatigue in 100cc: Bajaj

Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto said the slowdown in motorcycle sales is due to the fall in demand for bikes in the 100cc segment while other segments are doing well with an increase of 10-20%.

"The drop in demand for 100cc bikes is due to product fatigue. A new motorcycle, which will be launched in September, will change the scene, and the company will see a much better second-half of the year 2007-08," Bajaj said while addressing shareholders at the annual general meeting today.

Bajaj Auto has developed a new motorcycle in the sub 150cc segment with fuel efficiency and price of an entry-level 100 cc motorcycle.

Chairman Rahul Bajaj said production of the new motorcycle will be 15,000 per month in the initial period, and will be ramped up to 50,000 units per month by March 2008.

Bajaj said the company will make the new product at its Waluj (Maharashtra) plant, and eventually shift the production to Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The production of the 100cc Platina will then be shifted to Waluj, he added.