Bajaj Auto has launched one of their most successful bikes – the Discover 125ST in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The bike was launched at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 55,740. A 125cc bike priced in between Rs. 55,000 and 56,000 is perfectly an acceptable price tag. So that should work in favor of the bike.
The launch is clearly aimed at establishing the company as a premium destination for the 125cc market. It looks as if this is the year when Bajaj is looking to break the shackles and prove that they rule the segment. If that is indeed the target that Bajaj Auto has set for themselves that is not without some important homework.
The last few years have been too good for the 125cc segment in general and the company in particular. Last year alone, there was an increase of nearly 40 per cent in this category. And it has been increasing steadily in the region of 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Pastures certainly look a lot greener presently.
Mr. K Srinivas, who is the Bajaj Auto President (Motorcycle Business), made it clear that the Discover ST was not an upgraded version of any Discover model. On the contrary, it was a novel product that falls in the B-segment – the 125cc. this makes up for the 17 per cent of the market share. Out of this total market, Bajaj commands around 30 per cent.
The company hopes that the customers from the A-segment will move around to the B-segment. That will also make some space for the Bajaj vehicles to gain some share of the market. Bajaj Auto hopes to make around 50,000 units in this 125cc category. They are also planning to further up the tempo and gain some more customers over a period of time.
The Discover 125ST will have petal disk and monoshock suspension. It is designed with the patented DTS-i engine carrying four valves. It is estimated that the bike will be able to generate a high power of 13 bhp and a top torque of 10.8 Nm. Under standard driving conditions, the bike is likely to offer a millage of 65 kmpl.
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