Bajaj, Kawasaki to bring big bikes to India

* Bikes to be retailed through Bajaj Probiking Showrooms

* Ninja 250 among the bikes to be retailed

11th January 2007, New Delhi: Bajaj and Kawasaki today announced an agreement to bring in Kawasaki big bikes into India. This is in continuation of their strong partnership from the mid 80's when the first technical collaboration for motorcycle development was signed. This technical collaboration which continued since then, went a step further in 2004 when Kawasaki commenced distributing Bajaj bikes in the Philippines.

Now the partners bring Kawasaki big bikes to India.

Amongst the bikes being considered for launch is the recently launched Ninja 250. This product designed by Kawasaki for the United States, Europe and Japan is powered by an eight-valve DOHC liquid cooled 250 cc fuel injection engine developing 30 PS at 10,500 rpm. Combined with the 6-speed transmission the Ninja 250 is a matchless performer. In addition to the Ninja 250, other big Kawasaki bikes that are being considered for the domestic market were on display at the Bajaj Presentation in Hall no 3 at the Auto-Expo in N. Delhi. These include the Sports Roadster the ER-6n, Super Sports bikes the Ninja ZX-6R and the Z1000, and the Vulcan Cruiser.

The Kawasaki bikes would be retailed through the chain of hi-end Bajaj Probiking showrooms. The company had kick-started the Probiking initiative in 2005 with the launch of the Pune showroom. Today ten Probiking showrooms are operational with presence in all major markets with ten more to go on-stream by end of Fiscal 2008. Designed for professional bikers the showrooms house state-of the art interactive terminals and offer prospective "Probikers" a chance to test-ride the bikes on specially designed Indoor Dynamometers.

Kawasaki, Japan will also provide the necessary service training and parts back-up to ensure that the hi-performance bikes are in peak condition and fully live up to the expectations of the Probikers.

Mr. Shinichi Tamba, President of the Kawasaki Consumer Products and Machinery Company comments, "India is a very important market for KHI and Bajaj Auto is a strong partner. The Indian market is in the cusp of progressing to big bikes and Kawasaki is highly regarded in this segment. Soon the flying K and the Kawasaki Green will scorch the Indian roads."

Commenting on this effort, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto said, "Both Kawasaki and Bajaj have synergized their strengths to widen the portfolio in respective markets. The domestic consumer can now experience the power of big biking while the Kawasaki customers in the Philippines are already experiencing the range of Bajaj products for the past few years. We are in discussions to extend the Philippine business model to other countries as well."

The Good times are indeed rolling for both Kawasaki and Bajaj.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI)

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) Group comprises some 100 companies in Japan and around the globe, together forming the worlds leading industrial and technological business group. The group has a comprehensive technological base, which encompasses mastery of the land, sea, air and space, under the guiding philosophy of deploying cutting-edge technology. Its aerospace business offers various products ranging from aircraft to satellites, while the rolling stock business has the famed Japan's Shinkansen trains.

Kawasaki's impressive lineup of motorcycles features the ZZR1400 and other supersport, sport, cruiser, dual-purpose and motocross models. Demonstrating world-class performance and distinctive appearance, these Kawasaki- motorcycles are recognized and valued throughout the world.

Kawasaki global slogan " Let the good times roll" reflects the guiding principle behind its business activities: that anyone who comes in contact with Kawasaki and its products enjoy and share good times now and in the future.

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

Bajaj Auto Ltd, is India's leading two and three wheeler manufacturer and ranks among the top five motorcycle producers in the world. In the fiscal year 2006-07, Bajaj produced and sold about 2.38 million Motorcycles and over 320,000 3-wheelers. Bajaj achieved consolidated revenues of Rs 166 Billion with net profits of Rs 12.5 Billion.

Bajaj is also India's largest exporter of two and three wheelers with over 440,000 units (over 16% of its production) exported in 2006-07. Its Motorcycle brands are extremely popular in India, South & South East Asia, Africa and Latin & Central American Countries.

Bajaj has many leading motorcycle brands to its credit and has pushed motorcycle performance benchmarks to new limits with innovative path-breaking technologies such as DTS-i, ExhausTEC, Throttle responsive ignition control system (TRICS), etc. It has also been the first to introduce Fuel Injection technology in the country with the 220 Pulsar DTS-Fi. A young motivated team is constantly exploring new technologies to bring "Distinctly Ahead" products into the market.