Bajaj to begin export of Qute in Oct

First Indian quadricycle to meet stringent EU norms

With its domestic plans stuck in legal cases, Bajaj Auto has decided to ship its quadricycle, RE60, now renamed Qute, to as many as 16 countries from next month. The company has priced the product at $2,000 and will market it in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe.

“We had shown the Qute at the Auto Expo four years ago. First and last mile connectivity is the need everywhere. It is very obvious that two-wheelers should be upgraded to four-wheelers. I am bewildered we have developed an innovative product in the country and still need to explain our case and wait for years to get approval,” said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director.

Qute, a four-seater, is powered by a DTSi, 4-valve 216cc engine, which promises 36 km a litre and a maximum speed of 70 km an hour. Speed has been capped as Qute is designed for intra-city use. Production of the vehicle has already started at the company’s Aurangabad facility and shipments for exports would begin soon. “We will wait for a feedback after shipping 100 vehicles a month. We will scale up from 2016,” said Bajaj.  The company said Qute is the first Indian quadricycle to meet the stringent European quadricycle norms. In India, the company still awaits the Supreme Court verdict over the creation of a new vehicle category of quadricycles by the government.

In March, the Supreme Court had transferred to itself several petitions related to the quadricycle, while extending a stay imposed on the orders of numerous high courts, including those of Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh. The petitioners, which had filed public interest suits, argue the quadricycle is unsafe for Indian roads. They say this segment will pose a threat to three-wheeler operators, who will have to upgrade their driving licences to the next level.