Date:03/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/08/03/stories/2006080302152100.htm

Pulsar upgrades to be launched soon

Mayur N. Shah

Mumbai , Aug. 2

Bajaj Auto plans to launch upgrades of the existing Pulsar range shortly. According to Mr S. Sridhar, Vice-President, Bajaj Auto, the company is about to launch the upgraded Pulsar 180 cc shortly. The new variant will also have some of the features present in the 220-cc variant, though it won't have the revolutionary oil cooled fuel injection technology present in the later model.

The 150-cc upgraded model will also be launched in the first quarter of 2007.

Neither of the upgraded models will have the 220 cc's revolutionary DTS-FI engine technology. According to officials, the technology is more suited for high-performance bikes only.

The 180-cc variant has monthly sales of 6,000 units, equally divided into domestic and export market. While the company is gearing up to launch the new Pulsar variants, it has posted total sales of 1,99,821 vehicles for July 2006, a growth of 34 per cent over 1,49,406 units sold in July last year. Cumulative sales for the company at 8,49,317 units (6,54,378) has grown by 30 per cent.

Exports for July accounted for 42,476 units (14,698), a growth of 189 per cent over July last year. Cumulative exports for the said period at 140,739 units (65,191) has grown by 116 per cent. The company's shares on the BSE closed on Tuesday at Rs 2,467.90, a dip of 0.23 per cent from its previous close.