In a remarkable turn of events, the Triumph 400 twins, Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, are off to a flying start, amassing a staggering 20,000 orders since their bookings opened in July. This exciting development comes straight from the horse’s mouth, as confirmed by a senior Bajaj Auto official. The much-anticipated exports of these splendid motorcycles are expected to kick off either in December or January.
A British-Indian Collaboration
Designed by the renowned British premium two-wheeler manufacturer, Triumph, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are proudly being manufactured at the Chakan plant, a testament to the strategic partnership between these two industry giants.
Unveiling the Speedsters
The Triumph Speed 400 is now available at the tempting price of Rs 2,33,000 (ex-showroom), while its sibling, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X, can be yours for Rs 2,62,996 (ex-showroom). These top-tier motorcycles are exclusively sold through the extensive Triumph dealer network.
Power Unleashed
Both of these magnificent machines are powered by the same 398.15cc, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder engine, churning out an impressive 39.5bhp of maximum power and 37.5Nm of peak torque. This robust engine is seamlessly paired with a 6-speed gearbox.
From 15 Cities to the Nation
In response to an inquiry from India Today during a private media interaction, Bajaj Auto’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Dinesh Thapar, revealed, “We initially opened bookings in just 15 cities. However, we soon realized the immense demand and decided to extend our reach. With bookings closing at around 20,000, we knew we had a mission to fulfill.”
As the deliveries of the Speed 400 began in August, the network of Triumph dealers gradually expanded, reaching 26 cities by the end of the September quarter. In total, over 8,200 Speed 400 units have found their proud owners.
The Road Ahead
Thapar expressed his optimism, stating, “From our humble start in 15 cities, we are now operating in 26. I have high hopes of reaching 60 cities by the end of this quarter and an impressive 100 by the end of the fiscal year.”
Global Aspirations
Bajaj Auto is gearing up to embark on an exciting journey of exporting the Triumph motorcycles in the next two to three months. Currently, they are in the process of selecting the prime export markets for both the Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400 X.
Thapar shed light on the strategy, saying, “We are in the final stages of narrowing down our export markets. We anticipate that the exports will kick off in December or January. We are in the process of deciding the priority geographies where Triumph aims to make its initial mark.”
A Giant in the Making
With a remarkable track record of selling more than 21,000,000 motorcycles across over 79 countries, Bajaj Auto stands tall as one of the globe’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers. Furthermore, it’s a point of pride that they are India’s foremost motorcycle exporter.
A Tale of Two Markets
However, it’s essential to note that Bajaj Auto’s domestic two-wheeler sales experienced an 18.65% decline year-on-year, with figures dropping to 505,320 units in Q2 FY24 from 621,134 units in Q2 FY23. The export numbers also took a slight hit, slipping 5.44% year-on-year to 376,263 units in Q2 FY24 compared to 397,900 units in the year-ago period.
Managing Inventory Wisely
Thapar delves into the numbers, explaining, “Year-on-year, our inventory levels have seen a significant average decrease of 30% across most of our export markets. This quarter, we’ve managed to replenish inventory slightly in a couple of markets, leading to higher billing numbers compared to the retail figures.”
He further clarified, “This is a result of our successful efforts in securing foreign exchange, rather than a reflection of any substantial shift in the operating or retail environment in those countries.”
The Triumph 400 twins have set the wheels in motion for a dynamic journey that promises to sweep across the nation and beyond. Bajaj Auto’s strategic alliance with Triumph has undeniably struck gold, and the future looks bright for these remarkable motorcycles.