Bajaj & Triumph to make a strategy announcement in a few months

While an announcement is yet to be made, Rakesh Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer, Bajaj Auto confirmed that the talks have moved ahead 'extremely well'.

Speaking to analysts, Sharma said:

Our talk with Triumph has moved ahead extremely well. Manufacturing teams are already talking in detail. As soon as we lay down the protocols of the exact nature of work we should be able to announce the whole thing formally in a few months time.

Bajaj Auto India had joined hands with Triumph motorcycles in a non-equity partnership in August 2017. The partnership targets the mid-capacity motorcycle segment while the UK based two-wheeler brand will continue to offer premium products in the 500cc plus displacement. The first jointly developed product is expected to be production ready by 2020. The Bajaj-Triumph partnership will cater to both Indian and international markets.

Bajaj-Triumph will compete against Royal Enfield motorcycles in the middleweight two-wheeler market. Meanwhile, the Eicher Motors-owned brand has made its intentions about dominating the middleweight segment in global two-wheeler markets clear with the launch of the Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650 at highly competitive prices. The new 650 Twins were launched in India with prices starting from INR 2.50 lakh for the Interceptor INT 650 and INR 2.65 lakh for the Continental GT 650 (both ex-showroom, Delhi).

Moreover, the Indian brand unveiled its Concept KX Bobber V-Twin at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. The Royal Enfield Concept KX Bobber is powered by an all-new 838 cc, V-twin engine that has been developed in the UK in collaboration with Polaris Industries. Royal Enfield has not mentioned the engine specifications. The liquid-cooled, fuel injected motor is expected to deliver a maximum power output of 90 hp and come mated to a 6-speed gearbox and feature ride-by-wire throttle system.

We expect to hear the next update on the contract in early 2019.