News approved.

A very good approach that will keep Bajaj trying to be the best by continuously exploring new horizons…

I really want Bajaj to develop their own engines.Would be nice to have a pakka Indian built 250cc!

Come on. Why does Bajaj need to replicate Honda, specially its Indian branch?

If I had to change something in Bajaj, it would be ONLY Parts quality and Service quality. And maybe 5 years warranty like some other (I admit smaller) companies do.

Otherwise: Product attributes, looks, adverts, performance, mileage, spare parts cost, service cost, etc, etc. are things they have sorted out so well.


Please Bajaj. Don't even think about aping Honda. You're good as you are, even for commuters.

Quite true. Even I think so. Otherwise, why would they give such comments?

I do wish Bajaj focuses on their strengths and weaknesses, and a bit less on the competition. Sometimes they make strange comments (often revealing their weaknesses too), at other times, they pay Japanese guys to say "Hunto" on TV adverts. And their adverts of Discover 125, showing losers buying HH/ Honda bikes. I didn't like it at all.

Waiting to see if the P200NS clears all the perceptions of Bajaj having low quality parts. From the Pictures, the Paintjob exudes quality, but we'll need to wait and watch if it is really so, in flesh. Better quality parts, ironing out the niggles, and since no other manufacturer is offering such features at the price point of Bajaj, it definitely has a good chance to claim numbers as well. However, Bajaj is currently focusing on most of the African/Latin American markets, where the Chinese have been selling their cheap products. So, Bajaj might become to Africa/Latina America, what Honda is to India.

But we should also keep in mind that HMSI's sales includes that of Scooters, which BAL doesn't.
BAL is into bikes.

"Out of the total 2,20,487 (for HMSI) numbers in March, the share of motorcycles was 82,353 (33%). Scooters accounted for 1,38,134 (67%)"
-Payeng

And BAL sold 3,00,848 units (only bikes) in March '12.
So its clear that Bajaj is quite ahead of HMSI in the bike segment.
And of course after the launch of the P200 and the new Discover, BAL is ready to pump in the steroids.

Honda is a promise of quality and better experience. Somehow Honda just feels right.
My 7 year old Dio is smoother than my 4 year old Pulsar 220. That says something about the commitment from the company.

If Bajaj have the same commitment for their bikes, i see no reason why they can't beat Honda.

While riding a Honda,you don't have any doubts regarding the ride. But while riding the Pulsar 220, i always had a little doubt. Never had a 100% fun riding experience in four years. Always worried about some part or another.

I believe Bajaj can definitely achieve the Honda quality. If they could pull out a Pulsar out of nowhere, they can do it!

Bajaj you should concentrate on developing good products (like what you're doing now with P200NS, next-gen discos) instead of concentrating on competing. With the new engines Im sure the grudges would be gone. The fact that you're competing with the biggest and most established 2-wheeler maker of the world gives us Indians a matter to be proud of. Keep up the good work

+1; That's how Honda also started about few decades ago; just that they'd an advantage of starting early when the American motorcycles weren't that reliable & were expensive. But its not that bad here in the scenario except that BAL has now to fight with a very tough competitor.

If BAL goes to #4, #5 or wherever, I really don't care. What I'm really concerned is, to see BAL (or even HMC) atleast one step ahead of all foreign manufacturers for a very simple reason, we're Indians & I love to see our products ahead of any foreign manufacturer!!!

+infinity. Its really useful for people who can't appreciate our own products. There are scores of Indians like that who celebrate somebody else's achievements but be indifferent to our own companies. Just an incident couple of days back when Britain Govt. send ambassador to India to request for taking off the issue of IT debts on Vodafone. But in our case not Indian Govt. neither people care to take the steps. Just my personal 2-cents.

Its very clear that he is pointing at HeroMoto that all they can do is replicate!!! Unlike them.

Ride a cbr 250 exclusively for extended amount of time to dispel myths about the harping that goes around for honda & quality

I maintain the same :honda global -- top notch quality
honda india -- quality not so sure

I somehow have a different experience and would generally disagree. Having had almost all Bajaj products right from the Sunny to the 220, I did not miss the Honda factor and am quite happy with what I have.

Further, it would be incorrect to compare two companies that started operations (read motorcycle manufacturing) in different era..1946/47 Vs. 2001; a gap of almost 50+ years. That also means 50 years of optimized manufacturing processes, quality control, learning and most importantly racing experience.

The reason why Honda is Honda is because they spend millions at the racetrack, improving, innovating, testing and perfecting technology; all this is a part of their DNA and culture ingrained by the late great Soichiro Honda.

Bajaj on the other hand has had to burn the midnight oil and learn things in the hard way. Mostly by launching and improving products based on customer feedback. I would love to see Bajaj participating at national level to begin with and then to the international scene if possible.

My only grouse with Bajaj is the lack of commitment towards service quality. In general, the mechanics are not trained properly; rarely do they use proper tools, simple common sense is missing and the "feel good" factor after servicing your vehicle is most definitely missing.

In this age of cut throat competition. you got to go HARD. They are, no doubt, focusing on quality & engineering but a good promotion is also needed to sell the product. I liked both the ads. You cannot lay low when you have the Japanese Sumo Giants (Honda, YAMAHA) against you.