Bajaj Pulsar - Articles - Zimbio

After TVS, Bajaj sets sights on Royal Enfield for technology patent infringement

Sun, 14 Jul 2008 14:06:00 GMT

posted by battleaxe1973

After Bajaj vs TVS, it could now be Bajaj vs Royal Enfield...

In its zeal to protect its patent on the use of twin spark-plug DTS-i technology, Bajaj Auto first took on TVS, which tried using a similar technology on its Flame 125 motorcycle. Bajaj went to court, and for now, TVS has got court orders asking the company to stop using the technology.

Next in Bajaj’s line of fire is Royal Enfield, which is using twin spark-plug tech on its latest variant, the Thunderbird Twinspark 350. While Bajaj’s DTS-i patent is, apparently, only for engines of 75-250cc, and the Thunderbird has a 350cc engine, Bajaj is still saying it will ‘study’ the Royal Enfield bike to ascertain whether there has been a patent infringement.

On its part, Royal Enfield says its Thunderbird Twinspark doesn’t use any technology that is similar to Bajaj’s DTS-i, and that it uses a 350cc engine which is anyway outside the purview of the Bajaj patent. However, given the TVS precedent, a Bajaj vs Royal Enfield legal wrangle just might be in the works…

Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi wins Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2008 Award

Fri, 14 Jun 2008 16:35:00 GMT

posted by battleaxe1973

The Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi wins the IMOTY 2008 Award
Pic: Flickr

The Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi – the biggest, sportiest motorcycle in the Pulsar range – has won the inaugural Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) 2008 Award. The jury members for this award comprised of representatives from all the major automobile magazines from the country, who came together to give away this award.

‘The Pulsar 220 has well and truly redefined the performance biking space in the country. With its combination of technological innovation, head turning styling, brilliant dynamics and amazing value, the 220 well and truly walks home with the inaugural IMOTY award,’ said Sirish Chandran, Executive Editor, Overdrive magazine and chairperson, IMOTY 2008 jury.

Bajaj motorcycle sales up 7.57% in May 2008

Mon, 3 Jun 2008 02:17:00 GMT

posted by battleaxe1973

The Pulsar range continues to be Bajaj's biggest success story ever...

Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) has reported a 7.57 percent rise in its motorcycle sales in May 2008 at 179,649 units compared to 167,008 units in the same month last year.

Bajaj’s total two-wheeler sales (including scooters) during the month stood at 180,935 units, a jump of 6.86 percent over the last year's corresponding month's sale of 169,327 units. Total two- and three-wheeler sale in May increased by 4.17 percent to 201,511 units, from 193,437 units in the same period last year. BAL's exports rose to 60,215 units in May 2008, from 49,203 units in the corresponding period last year.

Bajaj Auto will launch four new 125cc+ motorcycles in September 2008. The company is also expected to start selling its KTM and Kawasaki range of bigger sportsbikes in India by the end of this year.

Bajaj, Renault to forge alliance for engine manufacturing venture

Thu, 11 Jul 2008 06:26:00 GMT

posted by battleaxe1973
Bajaj Auto and Renault, who together plan to launch a newly-developed ultra-low-cost (ULC) small car in the Indian market by 2011, will soon be entering into a new joint venture to manufacture engines for that car. This will be a 51:49 JV between Bajaj and Renault, and the engines produced by the company are also likely to be used in Bajaj’s first four-wheeler LCV, the PV1500, which will be made at BAL’s facility in Waluj.

‘The memorandum of understanding between Bajaj Auto and Renault-Nissan will be signed by the end of this month,’ said Rajiv Bajaj, MD, BAL. Sylvain Bilaine, MD, Renault India also confirmed that an agreement between the companies, regarding the engine manufacturing JV, was likely to be finalized soon.

Renault’s design studio in Mumbai is already working on finalizing the design aspects of Bajaj-Renault’s competitor to the Nano. ‘Our job is to help Bajaj Auto in areas where it lacks expertise,’ said Bilaine.

Renault, which is also looking at launching an LCV in the Indian market, is still on the lookout for a JV partner for that project. The French company may or may not go with Bajaj Auto for its LCV project. On the other hand, Renault’s other half – Nissan – has already tied up with Ashok Leyland for launching its own LCVs in India, so the LCV scene should be pretty intense in the years to come.

Bajaj Auto’s PV1500 LCV to be produced at Waluj

Wed, 10 Jul 2008 16:02:00 GMT

posted by battleaxe1973
Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) has decided to produce its first four-wheeler light commercial vehicle – the PV1500 – at its manufacturing facility at Waluj, near Aurangabad. This LCV, which is expected to hit the market by mid-2009, will be designed and developed in-house, by BAL’s own technical and R&D team.

At one time, Bajaj used to produce various components for its two-wheelers at its Waluj factory. The sheds where these components used to be made are now not in use, since components are sourced from outside. The company may use these sheds to set up assembly lines for the PV1500.

With a payload capacity of one tonne, the PV1500 will go up against the Tata Ace. To source components for their first four-wheeler LCV, Bajaj is also likely to set up a vendor park at the Waluj, where suppliers will be encouraged to set up operations.