Pune, Jan 21 : Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) will become a global hub for sub-250 range of Kawasaki motorcycles. More and more new motorcycles will be manufactured in the Waluj plant of Bajaj for serving the worldwide Kawasaki network in addition to the Indian market. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan, director Yosuke Fuji said his company would be offering Bajaj full support for expanding the product range and future product development. The Japanese are also looking into possibilities of getting into bigger displacement bikes and sourcing it from here for the global markets.BAL chairman and managing director Rahul Bajaj said: "In any industry, this is the best example of close cooperation between am Indian and a Japanese company even though Kawasaki does not have any equity in Bajaj Auto and vice-versa. The Kawasaki-Bajaj tie up started five years ago with volumes of 4,000 motorcycles a month and it represented 5 per cent of Kawasaki's volumes.
Today at 40,000 production per month, the tie up accounts for nearly 40 per cent of Kawasaki's total global sales. Bajaj's motorcycle production capacity is expected to go up to 70,000 by 2002.
The technical collaboration agreement for the BR series products will be extended for a further period of three years. Over the next 12 months, new series of improved engines will be introduced for the popular Boxer and Caliber models. Kawasaki will source these models from Bajaj for distribution through its global network. The two are jointly developing a new series of large four-stroke bike with global appeal. The first of this totally new range will hit the Indian market by mid-2003. Styling and specifications for this product has been firmed up after identifying the target overseas markets.
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
