Announcement

**Samarth 619** · 10-03-2011, 12:38 AM

Originally posted by satyenpoojary View Post

My take on this is simple,
If the New bike is going to be extremely radical like Bajaj claims.
Bury the name Pulsar now. Bury the design cues as well.

The "Brand personality" of Pulsar (with or without Bajaj name on it) is a 'value for money performance bike'

The brand name of Pulsar should stay. Yes, we had people who had problems with earlier variants of this bike, but if people have a problem with a particular bike, they don't just change the bike, they change the manufacturer.

You get Prowler 400 from Bajaj, and some people still won't buy it. Why? Because its from Bajaj. As simple as that. I know some people who just say "Bike matlab hero honda, seedhi baat".

"Pulsar" name is not the problem. "Bajaj" is the problem, if there is any... Service Centres improvement is required too.

A new name for this all new bike, will have 2 demerits: brand advertising costs plus the Bajaj Service reputation. The same name "Pulsar" will have just 1 demerit: The Bajaj Service reputation. Obviously, keeping the same name is a better choice.

And the brand personality (value for money performance) you mentioned is exactly what's needed in India.
You can't sell too many 250cc bikes for 3 Lacs no matter how excellent they are. Actually, you can sell maybe 1000 units or so in 1-2 years but that's not too much.

**vrugonnab** · 10-03-2011, 07:17 AM

Changing brand name is such a bad idea.. it took Bajaj almost a decade to establish Pulsar as a formidable brand. Styling is like icing on cake, if the bike has everything else then majority of buyers may compromise on styling bits! plus the Pulsar brand pull is good enough to make up for whatever is missing in styling. Certainly Bajaj is not going to stress on KTM genes, coz it's going to work against Pulsar brand, save for minority on XBHP!! either way, we already know that next gen Pulsars share platform with KTM, so there is no need to tell us that part! But, pricing is going to be key, which is Bajaj's forte. If you look around, Pulsar isn't cheap any more, not even in 150cc category.. it's only P135LS, that's truly VFM at the moment. Rest of the Pulsars share most of the parts, so 4-5k price gap is more than justified.

**Satyamzma** · 10-03-2011, 10:31 AM

Few months more to go for new pulsar Range

**Guru_DTSi** · 10-03-2011, 04:47 PM

In Jan 2011, when I was planning to buy a new bike, I heard the new gen. Pulsars were being launched. I've waited, waited, waited, waited...... Then, in May, I decided again, but again waiiteeddd, looks like my wait is gonna go on and on and on but there's no news of the new bikes being launched by Bajaj.

**j4zb4** · 10-03-2011, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by The Zmaniac View Post

Well, KTM bikes are known for being reliable so a choice of many for touring and off-roading. Last xBhp magazine issue claims KTM as winner of DAKER rally for 7 consecutive times. There have been cries from people that Pulsars ain't reliable. KTM technology will help Pulsar be more reliable & rigid.

Secondly, Bajaj owns 26% (and rising) shares in KTM. So, why to buy a technology from neighbour when it is developed in your own backyard? Bajaj has no share holding in Kawasaki. They are just partners.

Note: I am not very sure about statements in bold.

Originally posted by payeng View Post

Correction:

>> Currently the holding of BAL in KTM is 39 odd %
>> KTM has won 10 consecutive Dakar wins. Link

Brand attributes (like reliability, quality, refinement etc.) are mostly "perception" (formed of course by years of being exposed to the brand stimulus) based. For eg:

>> A 100 cc 4 stroke Yamaha bike is never "perceived" to be as smooth or fuel efficient as a 100 cc bike with a Honda name.

>> Similarly KTM has a Off/Road "perception" in the minds of people despite models like the Super Duke, RC8.

>> Maruti has a budget car "perception" associated with it, therefore cars like the Kizashi find it hard to sell.

Originally posted by satyenpoojary View Post

Eggjhacktly! but BAL is slowly following the same footsteps, and making a monster brand an even bigger monster

Originally posted by nitrosatya View Post

Thanks a lot. I got that.

I really don't know anything about Kraunreif & Trunkenpolz from Mattighoffen.

Or Gerald Kiska.

Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post

The brand name of Pulsar should stay. Yes, we had people who had problems with earlier variants of this bike, but if people have a problem with a particular bike, they don't just change the bike, they change the manufacturer.

You get Prowler 400 from Bajaj, and some people still won't buy it. Why? Because its from Bajaj. As simple as that. I know some people who just say "Bike matlab hero honda, seedhi baat".

"Pulsar" name is not the problem. "Bajaj" is the problem, if there is any... Service Centres improvement is required too.

A new name for this all new bike, will have 2 demerits: brand advertising costs plus the Bajaj Service reputation. The same name "Pulsar" will have just 1 demerit: The Bajaj Service reputation. Obviously, keeping the same name is a better choice.

And the brand personality (value for money performance) you mentioned is exactly what's needed in India.
You can't sell too many 250cc bikes for 3 Lacs no matter how excellent they are. Actually, you can sell maybe 1000 units or so in 1-2 years but that's not too much.

Originally posted by vrugonnab View Post

Changing brand name is such a bad idea.. it took Bajaj almost a decade to establish Pulsar as a formidable brand. Styling is like icing on cake, if the bike has everything else then majority of buyers may compromise on styling bits! plus the Pulsar brand pull is good enough to make up for whatever is missing in styling. Certainly Bajaj is not going to stress on KTM genes, coz it's going to work against Pulsar brand, save for minority on XBHP!! either way, we already know that next gen Pulsars share platform with KTM, so there is no need to tell us that part! But, pricing is going to be key, which is Bajaj's forte. If you look around, Pulsar isn't cheap any more, not even in 150cc category.. it's only P135LS, that's truly VFM at the moment. Rest of the Pulsars share most of the parts, so 4-5k price gap is more than justified.

SAU BAAT KI EK BAAT.. BC LAUNCH KAB HAIN... Does anyone know...? Satyen might have a clue but he won't say...

**satyenpoojary** · 10-03-2011, 07:52 PM

Oye! How would I know man!
(Darn I shouldnt have changed my signature :P)

Auto Expo we hope. Alongside the Katoom! both in terms of launch and build quality!

**j4zb4** · 10-03-2011, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by satyenpoojary View Post

Oye! How would I know man!
(Darn I shouldnt have changed my signature :P)

Auto Expo we hope. Alongside the Katoom! both in terms of launch and build quality!

I know you don't work for any brands... But I also know that you do know a lot of people WHO have the info and have khabris around you...

I thought Bajaj wanted to make the 13th October memorable...? Commemorate the 10th anniversary...?

**drlohith** · 10-06-2011, 04:03 PM

rajiv bajaj in an interview to a news channel today said new range of pulsars will be launched in november and ktm200 in first quarter next year... And he spilled beans about pricing too, pulsars to rule sub 1.lac rupees and ktm close to 1.5 lac(didnt mention if it was on road or ex showroom)
expect ktm 200 and a car to be showcased in auto expo 2012 under bajaj brand
He also said a new ktm will be launched every year

**payeng** · 10-06-2011, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by drlohith View Post

rajiv bajaj in an interview to a news channel today said new range of pulsars will be launched in november and ktm200 in first quarter next year... And he spilled beans about pricing too, pulsars to rule sub 1.lac rupees and ktm close to 1.5 lac(didnt mention if it was on road or ex showroom)
expect ktm 200 and a car to be showcased in auto expo 2012 under bajaj brand
He also said a new ktm will be launched every year

Which channel Lohit?

**drlohith** · 10-06-2011, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by payeng View Post

Which channel Lohit?

UTV-Bloomberg...

**Guru_DTSi** · 10-06-2011, 11:04 PM

One more month to go then !!!

**Crank49** · 10-11-2011, 12:42 AM

Last quarter of financial year 2011-12, said Mr. Rajiv Bajaj I think. So it might be in Auto Expo 2012.

**j4zb4** · 10-11-2011, 02:25 PM

^ +1 Can't see any images or links...

**darkside_of_d_sun** · 10-11-2011, 10:00 PM

I feel the current range of Pulsars wont be phased out, they will see a drastic reduction in their price tag! BAL will just launch completely new bikes with a fresh new brand which will undercut the likes of Yamaha R15 and put the Apache series to graveyard (in sales term).

BAL senses a huge oppurtunity here! Hero has broken up with Honda and the future of them is uncertain, TVS is inactive (as always) so this is BAL's big moment to play it agressive and finally become India's largest manufacturer of 2 wheelers and dominate the market.

Cheers,
Shamik

**antz.bin** · 10-11-2011, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by darkside_of_d_sun View Post

I feel the current range of Pulsars wont be phased out, they will see a drastic reduction in their price tag! BAL will just launch completely new bikes with a fresh new brand which will undercut the likes of Yamaha R15 and put the Apache series to graveyard (in sales term).

BAL senses a huge oppurtunity here! Hero has broken up with Honda and the future of them is uncertain, TVS is inactive (as always) so this is BAL's big moment to play it agressive and finally become India's largest manufacturer of 2 wheelers and dominate the market.

Cheers,
Shamik

I don't think BAL will do a Maruti, selling old gen vehicles alongside the new gen ones is such a cheap trick. I hope Bajaj keeps on going its innovative way.

Announcement

Bajaj plans 5-millionunit ramp up by Oct -New Pulsar to be launched in September 2011

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