Bajaj bike sales drops 10 per cent in March

New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) Country's second largest two-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto Ltd today registered a 10 per cent drop in its motorcycle sales during March at 1,65,524 units (including exports) as against 1,83,927 units during the same month a year ago.

Its total two and three wheeler sales fell nine per cent in March at 1,92,562 units as against 2,12,419 units during the same month last year. The exports grew 23 per cent at 35,663 units in March in comparison to 28,998 units during the same month a year ago.

The company registered overall vehicle sales at 1,93,562 units last month, a statement said.

Sales of three-wheelers slid 0.6 per cent to 24,576 units while sales of 2-wheelers fell 10 per cent to 168,986 units.

However, the company's motorcycle sales during fiscal year 2006-07 jumped 24 per cent at 23,76,518 units compared to 19,12,224 units a year ago, it said adding it is targeting a ten per cent growth in sales volume during this fiscal to touch the three million unit mark.

It recorded a 19 per cent rise in vehicle sales to 2,721,178 units and expects turnover to exceed Rs 10,000 crore.

Exports rose 76 per cent to 4,39,413 units in March this year as compared to 2,50, 168 units a year ago.

The company saw a robust motorcycle growth at 24 per cent for Bajaj, on the back of strong pull for its lead brand, the Bajaj Pulsar.

The motorcycle market share improved from 30.8 per cent in FY06 to 33.5 per cent in FY07. For the year as a whole, 100 cc bikes contributed 52 per cent of motorcycle sales.

The three wheelers recorded a healthy growth of 28 per cent at 321,778 units.

The company's new plant at Pantnagar will commence production on April 9.

UNI