Bajaj-KTM is making plans to launch new performance bikes in the country as the joint venture believes that the market has enough potential. “Bajaj-KTM will launch two variants of the RC brand of 'faired' racing bikes in the calendar year 2014 under the sub-500 cc category,” said the Head of KTM as well as Kawasaki in India, and Vice President of Bajaj Auto Limited, Amit Nandi. Bajaj Auto holds a share of 48 per cent in the Austria based performance bike maker, KTM.
It must be noted that sports bikes feature covered engines, against the naked bikes, which provide them a better aerodynamics during high speed. The company official further said that the auto maker delivered around 8,000 KTM bikes during the last fiscal in the Indian auto market. Along with, the two-wheeler maker shipped close to 25,000 units to Europe, South East Asia and Latin America. He said, “The small displacement KTM bikes were being manufactured at Pune plant and sold globally.”
Nandi is of the view that the racing bikes are one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian two-wheeler market. Bajaj-KTM is working towards achieving a growth of 10 per cent in the racing category before the end of current financial year, which will end on March 31, 2014. As a part of expansion plans, the company introduced its new KTM Duke 390 earlier this year. With a price tag of Rs. 1.8 lakh, KTM Duke 390 is one of the popular naked sports bikes.
