In a new blow, Bajaj Auto shares hit a nine-month low due to poor sales in India and other export markets. The company lost market share to rivals Honda and TVS.
Bajaj Auto has been sharply losing its market share and presence in the domestic motorcycle market. As a result of this, TVS has overtaken them for the third spot in terms of sales. Once upon a time, Bajaj Auto was competing with and once almost even defeated market leader Hero MotoCorp for the number one spot. But now they seem to be struggling to stay on their current fourth position. The reason for the decline in sales can be due to various reasons such as lack of new products, confused market strategies and intense competition from its Japanese rivals.
To handle this situation, Bajaj has even planned a second innings for the Chetak scooter in India. The constantly declining market share over the past few years has also affected the manufacturer’s shares, which are currently reeling under pressure on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). On 13th March 2015, Bajaj Auto stocks touched a nine month low of Rs. 2011/-. So far this month, Bajaj Auto stocks have fallen by 6% from Rs. 2153/-, after the company had reported a decline in total sales for the month of February 2015. Bajaj had reported an overall decline of sales by 22% year-on-year (YoY), which is mainly driven by motorcycle and three-wheeler sales which saw a drop of 21% YoY and 32% YoY respectively.
Bajaj Auto has not been doing good on the exports front too due to problems faced by the respective countries Bajaj exports their vehicles to. Due to elections in Nigeria, their export sales growth decreased by 20% YoY and in Sri Lanka, their sales have been deferred after the new government was formed. Now Bajaj is trying to make things right and is going on a product offensive. The Pulsar 200 SS will be launched this month which will be most likely followed by the Pulsar 200 AS and the Pulsar 150 NS later on. The company will be betting big and should look to focus on its next few launches if they wish to get back their once held stronghold in the Indian market.
