Bajaj eyes 30% market share in 100cc bike segment

Motorcycle major Bajaj Auto is eying a 30 per cent market share in A segment (commuter) bikes from a current 18 per cent over the next six to eight months with the launch of its latest offering in the 100cc segment, the Discover 100 Tourer.

Vimal Sumbly, general manager, sales Bajaj Auto said, "We currently have an 18 per cent market share in the A segment bikes, and with the new launch, which is one of the most expensive bikes in the segment, we are looking at capturing a 30 per cent market share in the segment over next 6-8 months."

He explained that the A segment or the commuter bikes segment which constitutes nearly 65 per cent of the industry volumes, has three subsegments. "The A1 of the cheaper bikes, A2 or the value-for-money bikes, and the A3 or the deluxe bikes. Of these, the A3 segment is the fastest growing and at present constitutes nearly 20 per cent of the overall A segment." From a 12 per cent share of the overall A segment in 2006-07, the A3 segment now constitutes around 20 per cent, he reasoned.

Customers in the 100cc segment are looking for additional features in their bikes akin to the B (125 cc) segment or the C (sports) segment bikes.