Bajaj Auto for four strokes only

Two and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto Ltd proposes to phase out all two-stroke vehicles in three years' time and be a wholly four-stroke vehicle manufacturer.

Currently, 35 per cent of two wheelers manufactured at BAL are four stroke, while 65 per cent are two stroke. By the end of this financial year, the company expects to have 45 per cent of two wheelers operating on four stroke engines. "The switchover will occur with more conversions to four stroke in the scooter segment," says R L Ravichandran, vice president, business & product development.

All the 'Japanese' motorcycles manufactured by BAL, in technical collaboration with Kawasaki of Japan, are four stroke. Its popular 'Indian' motorcycle, the M80 step-through, will also turn four stroke, the first of the new versions expected to be introduced by September this year.

In the scooter segment, BAL's Legend, introduced a year ago, was the first four stroke geared scooter in the country, followed by Saffire this April, which, besides being a four-stroke scooter, is also a gearless vehicle.

Bajaj Auto proposes to switch over to four stroke engines in the three wheeler segment as well, where it has a near monopoly with nearly 82 per cent market share. The four-stroke version is expected to hit the road by the end of the year.

The four stroke three wheeler will be equipped to run on alternate fuels, including CNG, and come with a 'limp-home' facility that will enable instant switchover to different fuels.