Bajaj Auto clarified that it will focus on the passenger segment for the RE60 presently till the time the project secures a green signal from the government
Bajaj Auto's production ready RE60, a light passenger carrier, could witness derivatives spun off using its platform in the future marking the company's entry into the four wheeler light truck segment.
Though Bajaj Auto clarified that it will focus on the passenger segment for the RE60 presently till the time the project secures a green signal from the government, different products on the same platform could be conceived later.
Presently in addition to the passenger three wheelers, Bajaj Auto exists only in the three-wheeled light truck segment which has seen a consistent downward spiral with the launch of four-wheeled mini truck from Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Piaggio Vehicles.
The Pune-based company does not have a four-wheeled goods carrier such as Mahindra's Gio or Tata Motors Ace Zip. A derivative from the RE60, which will be an improvised vehicle, will help the company in foraying into this segment.
When asked if there could be a goods carrying version of the RE60, Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto, said, "Derivatives, I would say, in-principle, yes because we don't design products we design platforms. There can be vehicle options, there can be a taller vehicle than this like a van or a slightly longer vehicle, I would not say not to goods carriers".
The company has sourced a 216cc petrol powered digital triple spark ignition engine for the RE60 which can be converted to a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered engine too. Since all goods carriers are diesel engine powered Bajaj may also look at developing a small capacity diesel engine.
"So whether the platforms of the engine as not just petrol but CNG as well it is not out of the reckoning that we put a diesel engine because for a light vehicle like this the fuel economy would be tremendous", added Bajaj.
The RE60 weighs under 400 kilograms which helps it achieve a mileage of nearly 40 kmpl and a CO2 emission of under 100gms per km.
The mini truck segment clocks volumes in excess of 10,000 units a month as per data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, with Tata Motors' Ace being the market leader followed by Mahindra.
Bajaj Auto has taken a hit in volumes for the goods carrying three wheelers. In the period April-February this year the company saw volumes in this segment decline to 2,798 units, a drop of 60 per cent from 7,079 units sold in the same period last year.
"In the foreseable future we would focus on passenger carriers but I cannot say that we will never make a goods carrier, may be some years down the line", Bajaj added.
Bajaj Auto's production ready RE60, a light passenger carrier, could witness derivatives spun off using its platform in the future marking the company's entry into the four wheeler light truck segment.
Though Bajaj Auto clarified that it will focus on the passenger segment for the RE60 presently till the time the project secures a green signal from the government, different products on the same platform could be conceived later.
Presently in addition to the passenger three wheelers, Bajaj Auto exists only in the three-wheeled light truck segment which has seen a consistent downward spiral with the launch of four-wheeled mini truck from Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Piaggio Vehicles.
The Pune-based company does not have a four-wheeled goods carrier such as Mahindra's Gio or Tata Motors Ace Zip. A derivative from the RE60, which will be an improvised vehicle, will help the company in foraying into this segment.
When asked if there could be a goods carrying version of the RE60, Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto, said, "Derivatives, I would say, in-principle, yes because we don't design products we design platforms. There can be vehicle options, there can be a taller vehicle than this like a van or a slightly longer vehicle, I would not say not to goods carriers".
The company has sourced a 216cc petrol powered digital triple spark ignition engine for the RE60 which can be converted to a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered engine too. Since all goods carriers are diesel engine powered Bajaj may also look at developing a small capacity diesel engine.
"So whether the platforms of the engine as not just petrol but CNG as well it is not out of the reckoning that we put a diesel engine because for a light vehicle like this the fuel economy would be tremendous", added Bajaj.
The RE60 weighs under 400 kilograms which helps it achieve a mileage of nearly 40 kmpl and a CO2 emission of under 100gms per km.
The mini truck segment clocks volumes in excess of 10,000 units a month as per data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, with Tata Motors' Ace being the market leader followed by Mahindra.
Bajaj Auto has taken a hit in volumes for the goods carrying three wheelers. In the period April-February this year the company saw volumes in this segment decline to 2,798 units, a drop of 60 per cent from 7,079 units sold in the same period last year.
"In the foreseable future we would focus on passenger carriers but I cannot say that we will never make a goods carrier, may be some years down the line", Bajaj added.
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