Bajaj launches new gearless scooter Blade aimed at youth market

Rahul Bajaj, chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd., said that the company would soon launch a new gearless scooter, Bajaj Blade.

This announcement rides on the fact that company has rued its decision to discontinue the production of its hugely popular Bajaj Chetak.

The company's earlier gearless model Bajaj Kristal did not do well despite a growing market for 'gearless scooters'.

The Bajaj Blade will be available in the next 6 to 8 months. This offering was first unveiled at the 2006 Auto Expo. The Blade is a 125cc scooter and is equipped with the DTSi technology, similar to the 95cc Bajaj Kristal launched last year.

While Kristal was targeted at young women riders, Bajaj Auto is now planning to tap young males with the Blade. The scooter has a front fuelling system and large 12-inch alloy wheels with disc brakes.

In an accelerating scooter market, two other products were launched last year - the Access from Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd and Flyte from Kinetic Motors.

Scooters have been able to main growth within the segment, unlike motorcycles that have decelerated in their growth. The scooter segment witnessed a growth of 14.68 per cent as 8,83,291 units were sold during April 2007 to January 2008. In January 2008 alone, the sale of scooters grew by 3.5 per cent from December 2007.

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