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| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters | Pune, India |
| Key people | Rahul Bajaj (Chairman), Rajiv Bajaj (Managing Director) |
| Revenue | ▲ Rs. 81.063 billion (2005) or USD 1.32 billion |
| Net income | ▲ Rs. 11.016 billion |
| Employees | 10,250 (2006-07) |
| Website | www.bajajauto.com |
Bajaj Auto is a major Indian automobile manufacturer. It is India's second largest two wheeler manufacturer[1] and the world's 4th largest two- and three-wheeler maker.[citation needed] It is based in Pune, Maharashtra, with plants in Akurdi and Chakan (Pune), Waluj (near Aurangabad) and Pantnagar in Uttaranchal. Bajaj Auto makes and exports motorscooters, motorcycles and the auto rickshaw.
The Forbes Global 2000 list for the year 2005 ranked Bajaj Auto at 1946.[2]
Over the last decade, the company has successfully changed its image from a scooter manufacturer to a two wheeler manufacturer. Its product range encompasses scooterettes, scooters and motorcycles. Its real growth in numbers has come in the last four years after successful introduction of a few models in the motorcycle segment.
The company is headed by Rahul Bajaj who is worth more than US$1.5 billion.[3]
Bajaj Auto came into existence on November 29, 1945 as M/s Bachraj Trading Corporation Private Limited. It started off by selling imported two- and three-wheelers in India. In 1959, it obtained license from the Government of India to manufacture two- and three-wheelers and it went public in 1960. In 1970, it rolled out its 100,000th vehicle. In 1977, it managed to produce and sell 100,000 vehicles in a single financial year. In 1985, it started producing at Waluj in Aurangabad. In 1986, it managed to produce and sell 500,000 vehicles in a single financial year. In 1995, it rolled out its ten millionth vehicle and produced and sold 1 million vehicles in a year.
According to the authors of Globality: Competing with Everyone from Everywhere for Everything, Bajaj has grown operations in 50 countries by creating a line of value-for-money bikes targeted to the different preferences of entry-level buyers.[4]
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Timeline of new releases
- 1960-1970 - Vespa 150 - Under the licence of Piaggio of Italy
- 1971 - three-wheeler goods carrier
- 1972 - Bajaj Chetak
- 1976 - Bajaj Super
- 1977 - Rear engine Autorickshaw
- 1981 - Bajaj M-50
- 1986 - Bajaj M-80, Kawasaki Bajaj KB100
- 1990 - Bajaj Sunny
- 1991 - Kawasaki Bajaj 4S Champion
- 1994 - Bajaj Classic
- 1995 - Bajaj Super Excel
- 1997 - Kawasaki Bajaj Boxer, Rear Engine Diesel Autorickshaw
- 1998 - Kawasaki Bajaj Caliber, Bajaj Legend, India's first four-stroke scooter, Bajaj Spirit
- 2000 - Bajaj Saffire
- 2001 - Eliminator, Bajaj Pulsar
- 2003 - Caliber115, Bajaj Wind 125, Bajaj Pulsar
- 2004 - Bajaj CT 100, New Bajaj Chetak 4-stroke with Wonder Gear, Bajaj Discover DTS-i
- 2005 - Bajaj Wave, Bajaj Avenger, Bajaj Discover
- 2006 - Bajaj Platina
- 2007 - Bajaj Pulsar-200 (Oil Cooled), Bajaj Kristal, Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi (Fuel Injection) , XCD 125 DTS-Si
- 2008 - Bajaj Discover 135 DTS-i - sport (Upgrade of existing 135 model)
- 2009 - (January) Bajaj XCD 135 cc , Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i , Bajaj Discover 100 DTS-Si.
Spinoffs and acquisitions
The demerger of Bajaj Auto Ltd into three separate corporate entities—Bajaj Finserv Ltd (BFL), Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL), and Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd (BHIL)—was completed with the shares listing on May 26, 2008.[5]
In November 2007, Bajaj Auto acquired 14.5% stake in KTM Power Sports AG (holding company of KTM Sportmotocycles AG). The two companies have signed a cooperation deal, by which KTM will provide the know-how for joint development of the water-cooled four-stroke 125 and 250 cc engines, and Bajaj will take over the distribution of KTM products in India and some other Southeast Asian nations.[6] Bajaj said it is open to taking a majority stake in KTM and is also looking at other takeover opportunities. On the 8th of January 2008, Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj confirmed the collaboration and announced his intention to gradually increase Bajaj's stake in KTM to 25%.[7]
Products
Bajaj has made a number of motorcycles, scooters and cars. Motorcycles in current production are the XCD, Platina, Discover, Pulsar and Avenger. Cars include the Bajaj ULC ultra-low-cost car.
Low cost cars
Bajaj Auto says its $2,500 car, which it is building with Renault and Nissan Motor, will aim at a fuel-efficiency of 30 km/litre, or twice an average small car, and carbon dioxide emissions of 100 gm/km. [8]
It is a Tata Nano competitor. The Bajaj venture will have an initial capacity of 400,000 units, while Tata expects eventual demand of 1 million Nanos.
References
- ^ "Bajaj rides 100-cc to regain second spot in 2-wheeler mkt". Financial Express. Nov 08, 2009. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bajaj-rides-100cc-to-regain-second-spot-in-2wheeler-mkt/538635/. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ The Forbes 2000 by Country
- ^ "India's Richest - #20 Rahul Bajaj". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/77/Q12C.html. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ Sirkin, Harold L; James W. Hemerling, and Arindam K. Bhattacharya (2008-06-11). GLOBALITY: Competing with Everyone from Everywhere for Everything. New York: Business Plus, 304. ISBN 0446178292.
- ^ "Bajaj Auto demerger complete". The Economic Times. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/The_Sunday_ET/Corporate/Bajaj_Auto_demerger_is_complete/articleshow/3069396.cms. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
- ^ "Bajaj Auto takes 14.5% stake in KTM Sports". business-standard.com. 2007-11-05. http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=29745. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ Rina Chandran (2008-01-10). "Bajaj to develop bikes with partner KTM". Reuters India.
- ^ ENN: How green is my low-cost car? India revs up debate
External links
- Bajaj Auto Ltd
- Tata rival bullish about Nano, BBC, 2008-06-05, chairman Rahul Bajaj speaks to BBC's Chris Morris about prospects
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