Bajaj Auto re-enters 100cc segment with 'Discover'

The country's second-largest two-wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto (BAL), today re-entered the volume-driven 100cc segment with its latest offering 'Discover', reversing the company's earlier decision to exit the arena.

Without bringing in any new brand, BAL today rolled out the already established 135cc bike Discover, with a 100cc engine, at a price tag of Rs 40,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Principal Scientific Advisor to the government R Chidambaram launched the bike at the company's Chakan plant near Pune. It will be available at BAL showrooms across the country from July 27.

"With the launch of the Discover DTS-Si, our R&D team has once again delivered a technologically superior product well ahead of the best available internationally," BAL Chairman Rahul Bajaj said in a statement.

The company claimed the new Discover would run 80 km in a litre. It is positioning the new 100cc bike as an alternative to Hero Honda's Splendor and Passion in the volume-driven entry-level segment.

BAL had earlier announced its exit from the 100cc segment and planned to position itself as a premium bike maker in the country. However, after that decision, its sales started falling in the domestic market.