Bajaj Auto's Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj on Thursday said that India's two-wheeler companies are not as lightweight as the growing startups would like to think. He also said that he would bet on BET (Bajaj, Enfield, and TVS) as they are champions who have a proven track record.
Speaking at the launch event of Bajaj Pulser F250, he said that companies who have learned to adapt to the dynamic market conditions and regulations over a long period of time are the champions.
Responding to questions on new startups entering the EV two-wheeler space, he said, "The question is who are you going to bet on. Are you going to bet on the legacy companies, as you call us, or you are going to bet on the startups?"
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He then pointed out that if Bajaj launches a motorcycle in October, then people can get it in November."It is not that we will launch in 2021 and you will get it in 2022," he added.
He also cited the difference in business models of legacy companies and startups.
"Their business model is a cash-burn model and our business model is a cash-flow model... We have to make sure that we make money when we make a motorcycle... so of course, we operate very differently."
Taking a jibe at the startups, he said: "The reason why I will bet on 'BET'... there is a saying of breakfast of champions... Do you know what champions eat for breakfast. Champions eat OATS for breakfast. OATS means Ola, Ather, Tork, and SmartE."
On Thursday, Bajaj Auto launched two all-new Pulsar 250s. These models are priced at Rs 138,000 for Pulsar N250 and Rs 140,000 for Pulsar F250 (ex-showroom Delhi).
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These motorcycles were launched to mark the 20 years of Pulsar brand's launch.
