Bajaj Auto launches V, a new motorcycle with metal from warship INS Vikrant

New Delhi: Bajaj Auto Ltd, India’s largest exporter of motorcycles, launched a new motorcycle called V on Monday.

The V is for INS Vikrant, as metal from the dismantled aircraft carrier has been used for its construction.

To be priced around ₹ 60,000-70,000, Bajaj is hoping to strengthen its position in the 150cc market by creating a new segment of so-called “solid commuter bikes”.

Bajaj will start production of the bike later this week and commence deliveries in March.

The company has created capacity to make 20,000 units per month.

While it will not be a limited edition model, the stock of metal derived from Vikrant is not infinite. “Bajaj therefore can only produce the V till the metal lasts,” said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto.

To be sure, the launch of the V, a completely new brand, is a departure from the company’s strategy going back to 2010, as part of which it planned to use Pulsar and Discover as its umbrella brands.

The Pune-based company sold 1,430,175 motorcycles in the months from April to December against 1,391,341 units a year ago, according to industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.