In the quarter ended June 2017, Bajaj sold 1,33,640 units as against 2,23,267 units in the same quarter last year.
The sales data for the April-June quarter of the financial year 2017-18 released by SIAM reveals that Bajaj is losing steam in the hotly contested 150cc motorcycle segment. Bajaj sold just 1,33,640 units in Q1 of 2017-18 whereas, in the same period last year, Bajaj had sold 2,23,267 units. Sales have almost halved!
The above numbers constitute sales of the Pulsar 150, Pulsar 135 and Avenger 150. The Pulsar 150 has been there in the market for over a decade and seems to be losing traction in the presence of new and modern motorcycles like the Suzuki Gixxer and Honda CB Hornet 160R. However, with the launch of the Pulsar NS 160, Bajaj is hoping it will gain momentum.
Meanwhile, Honda is slowly catching up with Bajaj. We were under the impression that Honda is only focused on scooters and new launches but the sales numbers of Honda’s 150cc and 160cc motorcycles reveal that Honda is not ignoring the 150cc segment. Honda sold 1,08,045 motorcycles in Q1 of 2017-18 whereas, in the same period last year, Honda had reported sales of 77,285 units, thereby registering a growth of 40 percent.
Honda’s sales figures include sales of the CB Unicorn 150, CB Unicorn 160 and CB Hornet 160R. The relaunch of the CB Unicorn 150 has done wonders to the Honda brand. It still sells 15,000 units plus a month. TVS Motor with the flagship Apache series isn’t far behind. TVS sold 1,00,500 units in Q1 of 2017-18 whereas, in the same period last year, it had reported sales of 67,660 units thereby growing at almost 50 percent!
TVS’ numbers include sales of the Apache 160, Apache 180 and Apache 200. While the Apache 200 has been a success for the brand, its delay in offering ABS and fuel-injection on the motorcycle has definitely kept many TVS fans and enthusiasts disappointed. With the new Apache 160 (and a 180 possibly), TVS will not only hold on to its growth momentum but is also expected to grow further.
Yamaha meanwhile held on to its fourth position in-spite of a minor drop in sales. Yamaha sold 63,503 units in the April to June quarter this year in comparison to 68,096 units in the same quarter last year. Hero MotoCorp with only two motorcycles, the Achiever and Xtreme Sports sold 25,545 units whereas Suzuki with only the Gixxer sold 16,799 units in the last quarter.
Honda Catches Bajaj
– Bajaj sold 1,33,640 motorcycles in April to June this financial year
– When compared to the previous year figure, Bajaj’s 150cc segment sales have almost halved
– Honda and TVS are closely inching towards Bajaj
