Quite clearly, Bajaj is on a roll and that too seems like an understatement now. With KTM, Triumph and Husqvarna launches, mostly in the 250cc and 400cc space, it is the 400cc that is shaping the market demand and growth. Bajaj along with its partners are ruling the 400cc space with the launch of the 2013 KTM Duke 390. 10 Years later, Bajaj along with its partners has a 25% market share in the same 400cc category. The growth is so strong in this segment that the Classic motorcycle growth is dipping and sports category is rising. This is where Royal Enfield seems to be losing momentum and Bajaj along with its partners are gaining rapidly. The rise in classic motorcycles is 3-4%. Meanwhile, sports 400cc is rising by 13-14%. Hence, even RE has invested in a 450cc platform to counter the same.
Bajaj now has plans to increase its portfolio with a new and improved Dominar 400, A new Triumph 400cc, a new KTM ADV 390 and more Bajaj 400cc variants incoming. We think there is an Bajaj ADV planned, a sports bike and others planned in 400cc and other cubic capacity segments as well. This will give a major boost and hold in the segment like how RE has in the 350cc segment. Meanwhile, Honda, Yezdi, Jawa and others will take fight against RE in the same way. Meanwhile Bajaj has truly distinguished its game in the mid-size motorcycle segment to snatch the crown that RE has in its own style.
Bajaj’s manufacturing and assisting in R&D of different brands it works with and owns, has helped Bajaj grow in terms of technology and reliability. This is making it easy and default choice in some cases for customers to pick their motorcycles over RE and Hero’s newly envisaged and funded R&D’s which have been dormant over the past decade. Bajaj has attempted many big turn arounds in its history, this clearly big, apt for the current market situation and almost on time!
