Bajaj -- forward and back

VISITORS TO the Chennai Auto Expo last year, like this writer, were surprised to find the huge Planet Bajaj exposition of all that Bajaj aspired to be. On show were the new Eliminator, the Pulsar, the Fusion, the Aspire, the Saffire, a new version of the Legend and the Sunny, the Spirit, the four stroke M80 and the Boxer.

The exhibits created so much excitement that one even saw the Japanese, from the Honda 'stall' opposite, taking photographs and surreptitious measurements. So much so that the Honda exhibits which included a racing motorcycle and variants of scooters that were said to be possible models for India did not attract much attention even though they were unusual enough to have transparent polycarbonate shields and retro styling.

Planet Bajaj seemed to show a new face of the company _ not turning its back on its bread and butter scooters but looking forward to competing with the world's best on an equal footing with new four stroke scooters and motorcycles. The recently launched Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator is an example of Bajaj Auto wanting to be in all segments of the market, but while a powerful and attractive motorcycle, it is very much a niche product because of its near one lakh price.

The Saffire

The Saffire was launched in Pune in early 2000 and proved an immediate hit with the young, and those young of heart, thanks to its four-stroke engine, automatic transmission and flamboyant styling. Its comfortable seat, 145 mm ground clearance and fuel economy add to its attractions. Bajaj designed it in collaboration with Tokyo Engineering and set out to give the Indian consumer an advanced and value for money scooter that more than matched the competition. A year and a half down the road, the Saffire continues to sell well, but one does not know how the advent of the Honda Activa will affect it.

The Boxer CT

The CT is a variant of the Boxer AT that itself is derived from the 4S and 4S Champion that Bajaj introduced to take on the phenomenally successful four-stroke Hero Honda CD 100 and its derivatives. The 4S did not have a good reputation for mechanical reliability, but the Boxer has proved itself on Indian roads. The CT comes with a battery and improved styling at a nominal increase in price and has proved such a hit that it is outselling even Hero Honda's Splendor and CD 100 in many semi-urban and rural areas!

The Aspire

Bajaj has taken a leaf out of Hero Honda's book by launching the Aspire, essentially a variant of the successful Caliber, with an improved front end featuring an opto-prism headlamp integrated into a mini fairing and unusual turn signal indicators. (Hero Honda's Passion is a Splendor in new clothes). The Aspire also sports an effective front disk brake that only adds about Rs. 1,500 to its price. One hopes that the massive advertising that has accompanied its launch is money well spent.

A retrograde step

It has been reported that Bajaj has recently withdrawn its four stroke autorikshaws and gone back to selling the polluting old two-stroke version because of some mechanical problems with the new model. If this is true, it is really unfortunate because the four stroke was much more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. This is particularly important in parts India where poor quality fuel and lubricants are the norm rather than the exception and pollution checks unheard of. Incidentally, four- stroke engines tend to be more wear resistant than their two- stroke cousins and therefore maintain their fuel efficiency and low pollution levels much longer.

C. MANMOHAN REDDY

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