Bajaj Auto aims to sell 4 mn vehicles in FY12

Undeterred by the slowdown in the four-wheeler segment, two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto today said it aims to sell over 4 million units this financial year.

Bajaj Auto General Manager (Marketing and Sales) Chandrasekar R told reporters here that the company expects to sell over four million units of vehicles this fiscal.

"The impact in the passenger car business was because of the increase in interest rates and fuel price. If a car owner feels the pinch of it, then two-wheelers always come as an option.. And that is why there is no impact in the two-wheeler business...," he added.

With three car manufacturers - Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor and Tata Motors -- witnessing a slump in their monthly numbers, domestic car sales in August 2011 declined.

Launching the upgraded version of its rural bike Boxer BM150cc motorcycle, Chandrasekhar said the slump in automobile market is affecting the passenger car business not that of motorcycles.

The two-wheeler industry is growing at a rate of 13-15% every year, he said.

On the newly-launched Boxer BM150cc positioned as 'Bharat Bike', he said, "This model is targeted at individuals in rural areas who expect a powerful engine and can have a comfortable long ride."

He claimed the new model would give a mileage of 55 to 60 km per litre. The company aims to sell over 30,000 units every month.

The new model is priced at Rs 43,247 (ex-showroom Chennai), and the bike would be available only in one colour.

"It will be manufactured at our Aurangabad facility and later at the Pant Nagar plant in Uttarakhand," he said.