Introduction
Bajaj Auto, Based in Pune, India, is a massive automobile manufacturer that produces scooters, motorbikes, and auto rickshaws. It was established by Jamnalal Bajaj in the 1940s and is a member of the Bajaj Group. It is the largest three-wheeler producer in the world and the third-largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
History
In 1945, Bajaj Auto, a well-known brand in India, began modestly. They were merely a trading concern back then, bringing in two- and three-wheelers. A turning point was reached in 1959 when they collaborated with Piaggio to manufacture the renowned Vespa scooters and obtained an Indian manufacturing license. This paved the way for Bajaj to rule the Indian scooter market for many years.
Bajaj Auto has not shied away from change. In 1986, they introduced motorbikes after realizing that consumer tastes had changed from scooters to motorcycles. In an effort to expand their motorbike line, they also established strategic alliances, such as the one they had with Kawasaki in 1984. When Bajaj purchased a portion of the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM in 2007, it was evident that the company had worldwide aspirations.
Bajaj Auto is still up to change. Their 2019 investment in electric scooter businesses demonstrates their dedication to influencing the direction of mobility. Strategic relationships, ongoing innovation, and a careful eye on market trends have allowed Bajaj Auto to grow from a trading business to a two-wheeler industry titan.
Manufacturing
Plants owned by Bajaj Auto are located at Waluj (Aurangabad), Pantnagar, and Chakan. The R&D centre named ‘Ahead' is housed in their oldest facility, located in Akurdi, Pune.
Products
Bajaj is a car, motorbike, scooter, and auto-rickshaw manufacturer. Sporty 4-stroke commuter motorcycles, such as the Pulsar, were introduced by it. With 3.76 million motorcycles sold in FY 2012–13, it held a 31% market share in India, with 34% of those sales going overseas and 66% remaining domestic.
Auto rickshaw (three wheeler)
Bajaj accounts for about 84% of India's three-wheeler exports, making it the largest auto-rickshaw manufacturer in the world. With over 480,000 three-wheelers sold in FY 2012–13, it held a 57% market share in India. Of them, 53% were exported and 47% were sold locally. Bajaj three-wheelers are so popular in Indonesia that the word “bajaj” is often used to describe auto rickshaws in general.
Low-cost cars
Bajaj Auto is more than just a two-wheeler company. They also collaborated with Nissan and Renault to create a cost-effective vehicle, and they introduced the Qute, a small vehicle designed for commuting.
Electric scooters
Bajaj's reach extends beyond two-wheelers. In 2020, they introduced the Chetak, an electric scooter, and are now constructing a sizable electric vehicle production plant in India.
Bajaj Auto trades on India's two main stock exchanges
1. Included in the esteemed BSE SENSEX index and traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
2. It is a part of the CNX Nifty index and traded on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).
The creators of the company, Bajaj Group, held more over half (54.98%) of Bajaj Auto's shares as of December 31, 2022. Different investors hold the remaining ones.
Employees
With a focus on employee well-being, Bajaj Auto employed about 10,000 people in 2019 and spent ₹650 crore on perks in 2012–13. In 2005, Rahul Bajaj relinquished his leadership position to his son Rajiv.