Bajaj Jan sales up 13%

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) Bajaj Auto Ltd today said its sales in January rose 13 per cent to 2,29,583 units from 2,03,777 vehicles in the same month last year.

The leading motorbike maker reported a 31 per cent growth in its motorcycle sales during the month at 1,95,560 units as compared to 1,73,835 units in January 2006.

The sales of total two-wheelers increased 9 per cent to 1,97,553 units from 1,81,758 units in the same period last year.

The company's three-wheeler sales reported a 45 per cent jump to 32,030 units from 22,019 units in the same month a year ago.

The exports clocked a 119 per cent hike to 39,812 units from 18,168 units.

Bajaj said it will exit the low-margin 100cc motorcycle segment, which account for 45 per cent of its motorbike segment.

The company will launch a new motorbike platform in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

''Towards this end, Bajaj has now finalised product design and specification and has scheduled premass production trials in Q1FY08,'' the company said.

The company will commence motorcycle production at its new plant at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, on April 9, to ramp up to the rate of of one million capacity per year within FY08, it added.

''These two initiatives coplemented by the continuing higher than expected sales in three-wheelers and exports should stabilise if not enhance profitability in FY08. The company is close to achieving its target of nearly 2,85 million vehicles leading to a turnover of about Rs 10,000 crore,'' Baja said in a statement.

UNI