Bajaj Auto posts highest-ever quarterly profit at Rs 403 cr

The country's second-largest two-wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto, today reported its highest ever net profit recorded in a quarter at Rs 402.83 crore, driven by good sales in the profitable bigger and sportier motorcycles category.     

The company's second quarter standalone net profit is a two-fold increase over Rs 184.91 crore it posted in the same period last fiscal, Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) said in a statement.    

"The strategy of the company to focus on the more profitable category of 'bigger and sportier' motorcycles has paid dividend and the results are reflected in the operating margins," the company said.     

Total vehicle sales increased by 7.29 per cent at 6,86,727 units for the second quarter, which included the highest ever exports in a single quarter with 2,24,334 units, up 8.41 per cent.     

The Pune-based firm also registered 14.48 per cent growth in its standalone turnover at Rs 2,909.24 crore — highest in a single quarter — as against Rs 2,541.28 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal, BAL said.     

The entire range of Pulsar family has helped the company in pushing its sales in the high-end segment, it added.

The company's re-entry into the volume-driven 100cc segment with Discover DTS-Si saw its sales growing fast. It sold over one lakh units of the bike within the first 50 days of its launch.     

On future outlook, BAL said input costs are likely to go up. But riding on the back of new launches, the company is hopeful of a rise in sales volume, which would partly offset the material price increase.