Bajaj Auto on Monday unveiled a 150 cc commuter bike 'V', which contains metal from India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
“The bike is expected to be priced between Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and sales of the same would commence from March and the final pricing would be announced at that time,” said Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj after unveiling the bike.
“Can’t say how much percenage is the metal from INS Vikrant in the bike because of so many reasons. Even I don’t know the exact percentage used up in the bike,” Bajaj said on his own on the exact percenage of metal used from INS Vikrant.
Bajaj Auto purchased the Vikrant metal and after refining it used in the V motorcycle. INS Vikrant was commissioned as the first aircraft carrier of Indian Navy in 1961. After years of distinguished service, it was decommissioned in January 1997 and served as a museum till 2012.
“We will start with a capacity of 20,000 units per month and should demand exceed that, there is no problem in enhancing the capacity further,” he said
“We would first like to focus on the domestic market first. The commuter segment is very strong here with market of over five lakh units. Some time down the line we might start exporting it as well,” Bajaj added.
"The Bajaj V shall usher in a new era in commuter motorcycling. We believe the Indian customer buying a commuter motorcycle deserves something that is substantial, solid, and which moves with a sense of purpose," said Bajaj Auto President (Motorcycle Business) Eric Vas.
“The V has been designed and built to be "invincible and will change the experience of commuter biking" much like the Pulsars changed sports biking”, he added.
"We are proud that lakhs of Indian citizens can now touch the metal of the legendary INS Vikrant," Vas said.
The V will be available in two colours Ebony Black and Pearl White.