Bajaj plans to launch one new CNG motorcycle every year
Rajiv Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Auto recently spoke to CNBC-TV18, where he revealed that the all-new Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle will pave the way for new CNG motorcycles in the future. In fact, he said that Bajaj plans to launch one CNG motorcycle every year from onwards. These CNG motorcycles will cater to different segments and displacements.
While answering to a question whether Bajaj will launch a new CNG motorcycle every year, Rajiv Bajaj replied, "there will be more (CNG) motorcycles of different displacements, of different styles coming off the same platform, but not like in the next two or three months, but every few months or once a year."
"There isn't going to be immediately a second brand of CNG motorcycle, we will stick with Freedom, and we will build this brand like we are building the Chetak as our electric scooter brand or Pulsar as our sports motorcycle brand," he added.
Not only that, Bajaj also intends to export the Freedom CNG bike to some international markets, especially South Africa, Latin America, or even southeast Asia. Mr Bajaj also said, "In the countries like Cambodia, LPG could be an attractive option, with this motorcycle, if we can put in a CNG tank, we can put in an LPG tank." This suggests that Bajaj is ready to equip the Freedom 125 with an LPG tank for select markets where LPG is more popular.
For the Indian market, Bajaj aims to target the commuter market with its upcoming CNG offerings. It is expected to introduce a new CNG bike in the 100cc and 150cc segments at first, and might well extend its portfolio to larger displacement, above 150-160cc, motorcycles in the future. Notably, Rajiv Bajaj further confirmed that the new CNG motorcycles will use the same platform as the Freedom 125, which uses a trellis frame. And the 2kg CNG tank is inside the chassis for safety.
Also read
Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 Recon review: Second wind
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla launching on 17 July: Price, features & more