Bajaj Auto released an official statement on Thursday announcing that it has sold about 3.38 lakhs of motorcycles in the domestic as well as export markets combined in November 2021, becoming the highest-selling motorcycle manufacturer for the month. This is the first time that Bajaj has topped the monthly sales surpassing market leader Hero MotoCorp, exempting April and May 2021, as the industry was struggling with the COVID second wave and thus the readings were skewed.
1,44,442 units were sold domestically by the Pune-based two- and three-wheeler major with the exports accounting for a total of 1,93,520 units. Bajaj Auto sold a total of 337,962 units in November in the domestic and export market, against the 329,185 units sold by Hero MotoCorp, revealed the monthly sales data released by the companies on Wednesday.
The exports have been driving huge volumes for the Chakan-based brand and last month the tally was much higher than the next three competitors combined. This comes on the back of a challenging global macroeconomic environment and the overall two-wheeler industry facing production constraints due to various reasons.
” To be the top manufacturer in the most challenging conditions is a true reflection of Bajaj Auto’s resilience and a consequence of our commitment to serve global customers through differentiated products and superior propositions. Our presence in over 70 countries has allowed us to deliver a steady performance despite the volatility in the environment,” said Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director at Bajaj Auto.
On overall recovery, Sharma told CNBC-TV18 that it has to trickle down into the entry-level segment and batted for some intervention.
“As you know that the two-wheeler industry, over the last three to four years, has been facing a lot of regulatory and other cost increases. So, some relief on that side would certainly do something to kick start the recovery in the bottom half of the industry,” Sharma mentioned.
Only a few weeks ago, Bajaj launched the largest displacing Pulsars ever, the F250 and N250 priced competitively at Rs. 1.40 lakh and Rs. 1.38 lakh (ex-showroom).
In the exports market, Nigeria, Egypt and Mexico, as per a company release, have achieved their highest ever motorcycle retail sales.
Hero MotoCorp, which generally tops the list, saw its sales fall 41 percent in November with total wholesales at 3,49,393 units during the month. Two-wheeler companies, in general, have been struggling, but Hero’s problems have been aggravated because it has the largest presence in the rural market.
Two-wheeler buyers in India have been shying away from purchasing scooters and motorcycles amid rising fuel prices, increasing prices and ownership costs.