a new variant of platina
Bajaj Auto will launch a LPG version of its popular 100cc bike platina soon. The new Bajaj platina LPG will be powered by both petrol and LPG. Rather than completely moving for LPG, Bajaj has kept the petrol to prevent the loss of sales due to the lack of refuelling stations in all regions. The new platina LPG will have a 5 kg LPG cylinder along with a 10 litre petrol tank. Bajaj’s LPG platina will be same as the petrol platina in terms of design except for the tank which might be modified to accommodate LPG kit. Bajaj Auto is sourcing some of the components for the LPG kits from Italian suppliers. Regarding the safety issues, Bajaj has incorporated ‘‘requisite safety features’’ in the LPG bikes to take care of issues like leakage of gas or cylinder overheating. Bajaj is currently testing 50 units of the platina LPG which would run on both LPG and petrol in Ahmedabad and Sangli regions of Gujarat. The petrol Bajaj Platina has an on-road price of Rs 35,344 in Delhi. The platina LPG is expected to be priced Rs5000 higher than the petrol variant. Bajaj has not finalised any time frame for the launch of the LPG platina.
Platina LPG and your savings:
Though there will be a 20 per cent drop in power delivery, the new platina LPG’s running cost will be lower by 35-40 per cent compared to a petrol powered bike. Since LPG costs around Rs20/kg compared to petrol which costs Rs50/kg. For a consumer with an average fuel spend of Rs 1,000 a month, the bill will come down by Rs 350-400. The annual saving would be a sizeable Rs 4,200-4,800 which would mean that compared to a normal 100cc bike break even would be reached in just a year’s time. Considering that a bike has a shelf life of 10 years, the overall saving would be around Rs 43,000.
Bajaj’s new bike platform – the sonic:
Bajaj auto much hyped ’sonic’ byke which was shown in 2006 auto show may feature a hi-tech engine. The RX100,RD350 lovers has a reason to joy – Bajaj’s sonic may get a two stroke engine. Unlike its two stroke predecessors, sonic will get Direct injection(DI) which will make the sonic to comply stringent emission norms and to satisfy the mileage conscious customers. Ucal fuel systems a supplier of Bajaj Auto has tied up with Orbit corporation(maker of two stroke DI) to produce Two stroke Direct Injection(TSDI). Through this TSDI a 100cc two stroke engine can produce 10PS of power and can be fuel efficient as the four stroke bikes. With TSDI and aggressive pricing Bajaj’s will try to rock the 100cc segment with its sonic. Bajaj Auto is currently test marketing its two-stroke `Digital Direct Injection’ three-wheeler in Pune, Maharashtra
Platina LPG & sonic- the rescuers of Bajaj:
Bajaj posted a slump in sales for the fourth consecutive month in May with the company steadily losing market share in the 100cc segment. Market analyst believe Bajaj’s strategy to upgrade from 100cc to 125-135cc segments has not gone well with the customers. The market leader Hero Honda has widened the gap from Bajaj by an appreciable margin. Even though Hero Honda is facing severe margin pressure (income/revenue), it has launched a new 100cc bike called Hero Honda splendor NXG and it is no mood to exit this segment. Hero Honda even plans to build a motorcycle in the price range of Rs12000 to Rs 15000. Honda is also planning to launch a 100cc bike. TVS is aggressively grabbing the share in this segment and star variants has been run a way success for the TVS. Though the manufacturer earns only Rs150(approximate figure) from selling a 100cc bike, 100cc segment continues to be the volume spinner (though this segment is the worst affected due to rising interest rate) and accounts for more than half of the total two wheeler sales. Bajaj cannot cost the volume for its profit and hence it has to rework its strategy. Rahul Bajaj recently commented that he never said bajaj will exit the 100cc segment. This is a clear indication of Bajaj’s turnaround and bajaj hopes the new LPG variant of platina and much hyped ‘sonic'(made on new platform) will help to revive its glory. We shall hope the same.