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New Delhi: Bajaj
Auto, India's second largest bike maker, finally unveiled its first
four-wheeler, a low-emission car - RE 60 on the eve of the 2012 Auto
Expo in New Delhi.
The company, which had in 2008 showcased a concept small car but decided not to go ahead with the project.
High fuel efficiency and lower emissions are the key factors on
which the company is banking on to make its foray into the car segment a
success. The company expects a big growth opportunity by targeting the
three wheeler segment.
The RE 60, according to Bajaj has high fuel-efficiency ratios.
Bajaj claims that this vehicle has hit 40kmpl under test conditions and a
realistic mileage in daily driving conditions should be above 35kmpl.
The 200cc rear-mounted engine's emissions will be an incredible 60g of
CO2 per km.
The RE 60 has body coloured bumpers and funky wheels. The
interiors get a central speedometer cluster, folding front windows,
44-litre boot space, 95-litre under seat storage and prominent seatbelts
in cabin. This four-wheeler gets a digital twin spark tech engine. It
is also available in fuel injected CNG variant.
Slated to be launched this year, its engine is a new water-cooled
DTSi 4 (Digital Twin Spark Ignition) and able to accelerate to a
maximum speed of 70km per hour. The small car can accommodate four
people.
Though Bajaj has not yet revealed the prices for the RE 60, it is
believed to be a ultra-low cost car and will compete with the Tata
Nano, currently the cheapest car in the world.
Bajaj has been working with Nissan Motor Co and Renault SA on a
project to develop an ultra low-cost mini car. The Bajaj RE60 will be
manufactured in Aurangabad.
As per an agreement with the Renault-Nissan alliance, BAL was
supposed to develop and manufacture the vehicle and sold under the badge
of the alliance.
The ultra low-cost car was first scheduled to hit the roads in
India in 2011, but was delayed due to differences between the partners
on pricing and design.
While Renault-Nissan wanted to price the car at around $2,500, Bajaj insisted on lowering the overall cost of ownership.
In 2010, Renault-Nissan announced the signing of a memorandum of
understanding with Bajaj Auto to take forward their ULC car project. As
per the MoU, design, engineering, manufacturing and supply base
expertise for the ULC would be executed by Bajaj with the support of the
alliance, while branding, marketing and selling will be by
Renault-Nissan.
"They have not seen the product yet. They have seen only on
virtual media. They will see it in Auto-Expo. If they are disinterested
in the four wheeler they are free to walk away," Rajiv Bajaj, managing
director, Bajaj Auto, said.
"Last century was scooters, this century was motorcycle. We have
made a remarkable transition from a scooter to a motorcycle company.
We've gone from selling cheapest scooters in the country to some of the
most expensive motorcycles. For the last 8-9 quarters, Bajaj Auto has
been the world's most profitable auto company. There has been valid
criticism that Bajaj has not done justice to its 3 wheeler business even
though we are largest in world. We have been urged to do something
dramatic for the 3 wheeler business, as dramatic as the transformation
from Chetak to Pulsar. These are a host of features that are not normal
for this segment just like when we launched Pulsar. It's a testimony to
our engineering," Bajaj added.
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