Latest news with #Freedom125
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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Steep car discounts mark H1, two-wheeler sales hold firm in rural India
As India's auto industry moves through the first half of the calendar year, a clear divergence has emerged in discounting trends across segments. Passenger vehicle (PV) makers are offering steep discounts to liquidate unsold 2024 inventory, while two-wheeler manufacturers are taking a more measured approach, supported by stable retail demand and tighter inventory control. Automakers such as Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Skoda, Renault, Jeep, and Nissan are offering discounts ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹2 lakh across various EVs and SUVs. Hyundai has slashed prices by ₹4 lakh on the Ioniq 5, while Mahindra is offering up to ₹4.1 lakh off on the XUV700 and Scorpio N. 'This aggressive discounting is directly tied to high inventory levels,' said C S Vigneshwar, President, Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (Fada). 'Current inventory is around 50–55 days, which is elevated. Dealers face a 2 per cent holding cost if vehicles remain unsold for two months, which pushes them to offer deep discounts.' Wholesale - PV 2024 2025 % change January 393074 399386 1.60% February 370786 377689 1.90% March 368090 381358 3.60% April 335629 348847 3.90% May 347492 344656 -0.80% Overall 1,815,071 1,851,936 2.03% Source: Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) Two-wheeler makers stay cautious amid healthy rural sentiment In contrast, two-wheeler companies have avoided broad-based discounting. Bajaj Auto is offering celebration-linked incentives of up to ₹9,111 on its Pulsar range and ₹5,000 off on the Freedom 125. Yamaha is offering ₹10,000 in benefits along with a 10-year warranty on the RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid. Kawasaki is clearing pre-facelift Ninja 300 units with discounts up to ₹84,000. 'Inventory levels in the two-wheeler segment are around one month, which is manageable. There is no pressure to push large-scale discounts,' said Vigneshwar. 'Retail demand remains stable, especially in rural markets.' Wholesale - 2 wheeler 2024 2025 % change January 14,95,183 15,26,218 2.10% February 15,20,761 13,84,605 -9.00% March 14,87,579 16,56,939 11.40% April 17,51,393 14,58,784 -16.70% May 16,20,084 16,55,927 2.20% Overall 7875000 7682473 −2.45% Source: SIAM Passenger vehicle sales up 2.5%, but momentum remains uneven Retail sales in the PV segment between January and May 2025 stood at 17,72,074 units, a 2.54 per cent year-on-year increase. Wholesale dispatches during the same period reached 18,51,936 units, up 2.03 per cent from the previous year. However, despite growth, demand has been patchy. Retail sales dipped in February and May, suggesting consumer hesitation, possibly driven by high interest rates or deferred purchases. Discounts have intensified in recent months to sustain market momentum. Retail - PV 2025 2024 % change January 465920 403300 15.53% February 303398 338390 -10.34% March 350603 329946 6.26% April 349939 344594 1.55% May 302214 311908 -3.11% Overall 1,772,074 1,728,138 2.54% Source: Fada Two-wheeler retail steady, wholesale lags Two-wheeler retail sales from January to May 2025 totalled 77,26,785 units, reflecting marginal year-on-year growth of 0.14 per cent. Wholesale dispatches, however, declined by 2.45 per cent to 76,82,473 units, indicating that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are exercising caution with inventory. Sales in April and May were steady at the retail level, especially in rural regions, even as wholesale figures remained under pressure Retail - 2 wheeler 2025 2024 % change January 1525862 1465039 4.15% February 1353280 1525862 -6.33% March 1508232 1535398 -1.77% April 1686774 1649591 2.25% May 1652637 1540077 7.31% Overall 7,726,785 7,715,967 0.14% Source: Fada Rural markets drive two-wheeler demand According to Fada, rural demand continues to outperform urban markets in the two-wheeler segment. 'Retail demand in the hinterlands has helped stabilise volumes even without heavy discounting,' Vigneshwar added.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Has the big bet on the Freedom CNG paid off? Bajaj ED Rakesh Sharma answers
The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG promises up to 50 per cent fuel savings with its bi-fuel technology (petrol + CNG), a world first Check Offers Bajaj Auto made a bold move with the launch of the Freedom 125 last year, the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle. The bike promises significant savings over a conventional 125 cc commuter, without compromising on performance, comfort, and safety. It not only arrived with big promises but at a competitive price point. We even noted in our test ride last year that the bike was fairly well-equipped for its purpose, grabbing the right attention wherever it went. As the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG celebrates its first anniversary since launch, HT Auto caught up with Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director - Bajaj Auto, to understand more about the Freedom's impact on volumes and the way forward for the CNG two-wheeler segment at large. HT Auto: What has been the Freedom's impact on Bajaj Auto? RS: The Freedom has established Bajaj Auto as an innovator and demonstrated our commitment to green energy. Today, our electric portfolio is 25 per cent of our domestic revenue, and if we add CNG - both three-wheelers and two-wheelers - our greener fuel portfolio is upwards of 40 per cent of our domestic revenues. And I struggle to identify any other company which will have this kind of portfolio. Also Read : Bajaj Freedom 125 becomes more affordable by ₹ 5, The Freedom 125 CNG uses clever packaging to accommodate the CNG tank under the seat, along with a small petrol tank, which powers the newly developed 125 cc engine that can run on both fuel types It is very much in line with the quest at Bajaj to address and align with the environmental concerns, the government infrastructure, and the way society is. The Chetak is the electric part in two-wheelers, Gogo in electric three-wheelers, RE in CNG three-wheelers, and now Freedom in two-wheelers when it comes to the green portfolio at Bajaj Auto. HT Auto: Launching the Freedom was a bold move. What kind of numbers is the Freedom doing for you? Are sales justified given the expectations? RS: We won't call it a bold step, but a highly innovative step. We have been pioneers in CNG in small engine technology since 2001 when we launched CNG three-wheelers. There are over a million CNG three-wheelers, which are small-engine CNG-powered vehicles. But to make the engine even smaller including the fuel tank, and fit it into the frame of a two-wheeler, was a whole lot of innovation. Our sales are around 3,000-4,000 units per month, depending on the market conditions. We sell about 150,000-170,000 two-wheelers (domestic) every month, and the Freedom contributes about 2-3 per cent. Bajaj is averaging about 3,000-4,000 units per month of the Freedom CNG. The bike has largely sold in markets where CNG is available, restricting its reach pan India HT Auto: We saw an overwhelming demand when the Freedom 125 came out last year, pushing you to rapidly increase availability. How many markets are you addressing now, and what is the status of exports? RS: We are in all the markets where there is CNG availability. This is determined by the coverage of CNG pumps across India. There are about 374 towns that have a CNG network in some capacity. It may be very dense or very light but there is a CNG pump. We have used the Bajaj distribution network of over 4,000 touchpoints to distribute the Freedom in these towns. We are yet to begin exports. We are trialling a few markets. The nozzles, fitments, and pump systems overseas need to be aligned with that built into the vehicle. There is also the gas pressure, quality of CNG, and other technical systems that need to be worked out. Perhaps in the next six months or so, we will commence exports in one or two markets. Also Read : We tested the real-world fuel efficiency on the Bajaj Freedom CNG HT Auto: Have you identified the international markets so far? RS: There are Argentina, and Colombia in Latin America, and Nigeria, Tanzania, and Egypt in Africa. We will look at Bangladesh at some point. HT Auto: Tell us about any different use cases for the Freedom CNG that you may have identified. What's the customer feedback like? RS: Our obvious use case is people riding long distances. There are also commuters riding inter-city or inter-town who are riding over long distances. If you are riding 60 to 100 km a day, the savings are almost 50 per cent of the fuel consumption. This also means long distances require a wider coverage area, and there, the intensity of the CNG network becomes a factor for them to consider. For instance, Bihar has a whole lot of CNG pumps but they are very widely dispersed. This causes 'availability anxiety," similar to range anxiety on an EV. But there are few places like Delhi, where the number of CNG pumps is widespread, almost rivalling petrol pumps. However, locations and familiarity with the people remain a challenge. HT Auto: What's the plan when it comes to expanding the Freedom family? RS: We have three variants in the Freedom 125 and our first effort will be to keep driving penetration and adoption in this class. The 125 cc class gives an ideal combination of power, speed, and mileage. And we want to stay with it, though we have done our development work to expand our portfolio with at least two more displacement classes. But we are hanging on to that right now because our first objective is to reach a reasonable level of penetration with the Freedom 125. The Freedom platform can be extended to 100 cc and 150 cc, based on our understanding, wherever the use case is more prevalent. We chose the 125 cc space because intercity commuters, long-distance riders, and delivery people tend to favour this class. We are open to additions on both sides. Also Watch: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike review: Can it trigger a revolution in two-wheelers? HT Auto: Your competitor down south recently showcased a CNG-powered scooter (TVS Jupiter CNG) as a concept. Your thoughts on the same? RS: We are very happy that more people are coming. In fact, if you see in cars, all mass players have a CNG option, which is most favoured by taxis. This leads to more players coming in and more Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), good OEs coming into the arena, and popularising the fuel option in two-wheelers. I say the more the merrier, and it will strengthen the case for the reduction of GST on CNG two-wheelers. There is a consideration right now in the government to reduce the [GST on ] CNG-powered two-wheelers, something which is being discussed. And more OEs joining will benefit and strengthen this argument. HT Auto: Will CNG two-wheelers eat into electrics or do you see both co-existing easily? RS: We think there's a nice use case for CNG two-wheelers. The product adoption has been fantastic. The echo we are getting from customers is exactly what it was designed for. It gives the right kind of mileage, and people are comfortable with the bi-fuel technology that can be changed with the flip of a switch. The long seat and robust suspension are being liked. The product has acceptance and is being driven by pride. It is a fertile ground to build the brand. The TVS Jupiter 125 CNG was showcased at the Auto Expo 2025 and could arrive later this year, promising a combined range of 226 km The ecosystem is maturing with respect to the widespread CNG network, lighter pressure, and underfilling of tanks at pumps, among other challenges. There is a greenfield available to the Freedom, almost unchallenged currently. Both from an emotional and quantified point of view, the possibilities are very good. In three-wheelers, our market share is 75 per cent. You'll find our three-wheelers running on diesel, petrol, CNG, LPG, electric, and ethanol. All these fuel systems are necessary are serve different use cases. So, we are able to serve customers more effectively with a wider portfolio. HT Auto: We've not seen any incidents with the Freedom CNG, which is a big win for you. How have you been able to contain the same so well? RS: We've had CNG three-wheelers running in nearly 20 countries for over 20 years, and had no problems. We understand there is a perception of safety because there is a tank. This is another thing that needs to be addressed for the adoption to speed up. In a car, the tank is kept at the back but in a two-wheeler, it is right under you. This is largely a perception issue and there have been no cases. People have to get used to the idea. This takes time and requires a good track record. Bajaj is betting on a rising CNG network of filling stations to fuel the demand for the Freedom 125, along with more competition creating a larger ecosystem for CNG two-wheelers HT Auto: What more can CNG distributors do to accommodate two-wheelers better? RS: We are very keen, and the CNG distribution companies are happy to promote CNG as a green and safe fuel. It's in the interest of the distribution companies to develop one more use case, which will help recover their investment. The number of two-wheelers isn't as high yet and they are currently getting VIP treatment. They bring it to the front of the queue and it takes only 2 minutes to fill up. People don't mind since it takes 2-3 minutes to fill. Once it penetrates, we will have to see how the queues are managed. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date: 05 Jul 2025, 16:36 PM IST
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG sees price drop for limited period: How much you save
Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG sees price drop for limited period. Bajaj Auto has announced a temporary price reduction on the base variant of its Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle . As part of this limited-period offer, the base trim now costs Rs 85,967, ex-showroom, down from its original price of Rs 90,976. The prices for the higher variants: Drum LED and Disc LED, remain unchanged at Rs 95,981 and Rs 1,10,976, respectively. The Bajaj Freedom is the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle. It features a dual-fuel system, allowing riders to switch between petrol and CNG using a handlebar-mounted switch. The bike houses a 2-litre petrol tank and a 2kg CNG cylinder. Bajaj claims that the motorcycle can deliver 102 km per kg in CNG mode and 65 km per litre when running on petrol. Simple One review: Is this the EV to beat? | TOI Auto The Freedom 125 is powered by a 124.58cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 9.3 bhp and 9.7 Nm of torque. This motor is paired with a five-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking hardware varies with the variant, with the base and mid variants getting drum brakes at both ends, while the top variant features a disc brake at the front. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like NYC Hotel Smartphone Booking | Bookmark Now! | New York City Hotel Booking | Mill Canyon Road Click Here Undo This isn't the first time Bajaj has reduced prices on the Freedom 125. In December last year, the company had offered a discount of up to Rs 10,000. With the current offer, the Freedom 125 base model continues to be available in Pewter Grey and Ebony Black, while the higher variants come in five colours including Caribbean Blue, Racing Red, and Cyber White. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bajaj Freedom 125 becomes affordable by ₹5,000
₹5,000 data-item-target-url=/auto/two-wheelers/ data-item-story-segment=Mass Vehicles> Bajaj Freedom 125 is the first CNG-powered motorcycle in the world. Check Offers Bajaj Auto has announced a discount of ₹ 5,000 on its Freedom 125. This information was announced on the brand's social media. It is important to note that this price drop is applicable only to the NG04 drum variant, which is the base variant of the motorcycle. It is important to note that Bajaj has not announced that this is a permanent price drop, so the discount offer will go away after some time. The Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle is equipped with a 125 cc conventional petrol engine that is coupled with a CNG tank located beneath the seat. The 2 kg CNG tank, in conjunction with a 2-litre petrol tank, results in a slightly increased weight compared to other 125 cc models. This engine is capable of producing 9.4 bhp and 9.7 Nm of maximum torque. Also Read : Upcoming bikes in India According to Bajaj, the Freedom 125 significantly reduces operating expenses by as much as 50 per cent when compared to traditional 125 cc petrol motorcycles. The manufacturer asserts that the mileage of the CNG motorcycle is 102 km/kg when operating on CNG and 64 kmpl when using petrol. Bajaj also claims that the Freedom 125 can travel up to 200 km solely on CNG, while the petrol tank contributes an additional 130 km, resulting in a combined range of 330 km. Watch: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike review: Can it trigger a revolution in two-wheelers? The Bajaj Freedom 125 showcases remarkable innovation in its design. This 125 cc CNG motorcycle features a horizontally positioned engine, complemented by a trellis frame that safeguards the CNG tank located beneath the seat. Its bi-fuel capability allows the bike to operate on both fuel types, equipped with a 2 kg CNG tank and a 2-litre petrol tank for reserve use. Weighing in at 147.8 kg (kerb), the bike is marginally heavier compared to other 125 cc models. Also Read : Here are five bikes that offer the best mileage, from Bajaj Freedom to Hero Splendor Plus In terms of features, the Bajaj Freedom 125 is equipped with an LED headlamp, telescopic front forks, and a monolink suspension system at the rear. Additionally, the top variant includes a digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity. The seat height measures 825 mm, which is elevated because of the CNG cylinder located directly beneath the seat. Although the quilted stitching is designed to enhance comfort, the model does not provide adequate under-thigh support. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date: 20 Jun 2025, 09:41 AM IST
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bajaj, KTM will pull out all the stops in new revival plan
HighlightsBajaj Auto to begin KTM turnaround plan post regulatory approvals, with exports resuming next quarter. Exports expected to grow 15–20% YoY each quarter, driven by strong demand in Latin America and Brazil. Six new Pulsar variants launched; new 125cc model and full FY26 product pipeline planned. Freedom 125 CNG sees 6–11% share in high pump-density areas; adoption slow in low-density regions. Bajaj Auto and KTM will begin to work very closely and execute a comprehensive turnaround plan once all regulated clearances are in place over the next three months. The leadership team at Bajaj Auto shared this update with analysts in a recent Q&A session following the fourth quarter results of 2024-25. 'Looking ahead, we have strong belief in the opportunity for KTM and indeed for Bajaj,' they added. The impending start-up and revival of KTM will also unlock exports of KTM motorcycles from India next quarter onwards. These used to constitute about 5 per cent to 6 per cent of Bajaj Auto's exports and had dropped to almost nil. Given this performance and revival in the market along with our competitive position in key markets and the return of KTM exports, we expect overall exports to continue to grow at 15 per cent to 20 per cent every quarter year on Team 'Given this performance and revival in the market along with our competitive position in key markets and the return of KTM exports, we expect overall exports to continue to grow at 15 per cent to 20 per cent every quarter year on year,' said the Bajaj team. Going ahead, there will be a full-fledged work stream that will be put up aimed at restoring the momentum and competitive growth of the business, looking for synergies in procurement and component sourcing in production. 'We will also, at some point in time, look at expanding the remit of the joint development programme as a possible opportunity,' continued the leadership team. Potential partnerships This could also see going beyond the present range of 400cc to 'expand all the way up to let's say, the 990cc in the immediate term horizon'. Bajaj Auto will also continue to look for potential partnerships and collaborations that can help build the KTM business to sustainable competitiveness and long-term value creation. All this will however happen only after all the regulatory approvals come through. 'We are still going through a regulatory process that we are bound by. It is our intention to get started once all those approvals are in place. And then there is a full turnaround plan, knowing fully well what the diagnosis of the issue is and where the opportunities lie that will be put into action,' said the management. Also read: Bajaj Auto to infuse 60% of its FY26 capex into EV biz The idea is to try and get at least the first set of results to start showing up in 2026 once a plan is put into place. Hence, this calendar year will largely focus on bringing back continuity given that KTM bike production stopped in December when the Austrian company hit a rough patch. 'It is about reviving the engagement, the partnership with customers on the extended ecosystem. It is about ensuring normalcy in operations setting in and a new way of working, a collaboration kind of setting in once approvals are in place and we can actually get in,' added the Bajaj Auto team. Boosting exports Beyond the subject of KTM, the company is also betting big on growth in exports which make up an important complement of its business. The top 30 overseas markets grew by 26 per cent in Q4 reflecting 'a very healthy' revival. In these markets, Bajaj Auto outpaced the industry growth of 26 per cent and grew by 31 per cent. We have commissioned the Brazil plant with an annual capacity of 20,000 units per annum last July and have already expanded this to 30,000 units. The plan is to expand it further to an annual capacity of 50,000 units to be achieved by December this Team According to the management, Latin America is now its largest emerging market region in the world for motorcycles where Q4 saw a 'rich mix' of over 65 per cent of premium brands of Pulsars and Dominars. Bajaj Brazil also recorded its highest-ever retails of 7,000-odd units during the quarter. 'We have commissioned the Brazil plant with an annual capacity of 20,000 units per annum last July and have already expanded this to 30,000 units. The plan is to expand it further to an annual capacity of 50,000 units to be achieved by December this year,' said the company. Also read: Bajaj Auto's Q4 net profit declines 10% to ₹1,802 crore Africa and Asian markets are steady though the uncertain trading environment in Africa means 'we need to carefully watch these markets and avoid any build-up of stock, endangering the exposure of our distribution partners'. Back home in India, Bajaj Auto will focus on rejuvenation of the Pulsar portfolio, which spans from 125cc to 400cc. Six new variants were launched in Q4 targeting the sporty and commuter subsegments within the 125cc to 200cc class. 'We will continue this exercise with the introduction of new products in the Pulsar portfolio right through FY26. We are also looking at an entry-level 125cc product and therefore, it is a full pipeline of products for FY26,' said the management. New brand in offing? It is when this new offering 'sort of acquires its specs and full form' will Bajaj Auto decide on the branding. 'Now whether there is space for one more brand beside Pulsar will be based on careful analysis of how distinct these sub-segments are,' it added. According to the management, the overall two-wheeler market performance slowed down in Q4, especially in smaller urban centres while smaller and mid-tier towns did well. 'The metros are also okay, but the larger towns are slowing down perhaps under the pressure of inflation, driven particularly by things like rental inflation. And we have seen some pressure on purchasing power,' elaborated the Bajaj team. According to them, the southern markets have been under greater pressure in terms of industry performance while the northern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and 'these types of belts' are doing much better. The management said it would like to actually wait and see a few more months before trying to extrapolate this performance as it was 'very hazardous in this up and down way of market behaviour to take a small segment and then extrapolate for the whole year'. CNG experience with Freedom 125 The company is also 'steadily expanding' the penetration of its CNG motorcycle, Freedom 125, which has retailed 60,000 units thus far and is being adopted mostly by long-distance riders in high-pump density areas. 'We are now specifically and vigorously targeting this cohort, a long-distance rider in high pump density areas to drive up the penetration of Freedom, which has reached even 10 per cent to 11 per cent of the 125cc segment in some CNG dense areas like Kerala and Delhi,' said the Bajaj team. Reiterating that the product acceptance has been 'fantastic', the company added that it had done some surveys where most customers were 'actually delighted' by the CNG-powered motorcycle and particularly by the savings it was supposed to deliver. However, there are still some challenges to be overcome. As the management explained, it was now encountering some issues in the scaling up of Freedom. One related to customer anxiety of not having enough pumps. If these outlets were spread out over a large area, there were concerns among riders about being stranded in an area which did not have a pump. Consequently, Bajaj has been realising that adoption is very slow in these areas. However, in Kerala and Delhi where pump density is good, Freedom's penetration has been in the range of 6-11 per cent. The second issue is the filling pressure. Freedom has a 2 kg pump tank which should ideally deliver about 200 kilometers with a full condition. However, some of these pumps do not have the right kind of pressure, as a result of which the tank is under-filled and the range gets compromised. This obviously becomes an issue with long distance riders. 'We know which are the areas with the right pump density and have started to calibrate our resources in terms of engaging with customers. This has been the learning over the last 3-4 months,' said the Bajaj team.
