CNBC-TV18 reports that Bajaj Auto is all set to launch the fastest bike made in India on June 23. This bike will be in the higher 220cc segment. The all-new 220cc Pulsar will replace the old model as it sports an all new DTS-i engine.

Here is a verbatim transcript of Swati Khandelwal's comments on CNBC-TV18.

We pick up from sources that this bike will be launched on June 23. This is on the flagship model that Bajaj already has-the Pulsar. Bajaj's new 220 cc Pulsar will replace the old model as it sports an all new DTS-i engine.

The major attribute to this bike would be its speed. In fact, we understand from sources that it is going to be the fastest bike ever made in India. Its top speed will be over 140 km/hour and that is almost 15 km/hour higher than its predecessor. We also understand that this bike is going to be priced much lower than its predecessor. The earlier version of the vehicle came in at about Rs 85,000 and this is close to Rs 70,000 ex-showroom Delhi.

This bike is going to compete with the existing Yamaha's FZ16 and R15. We understand from sources that Bajaj is hoping to sell or at least capture one-third of the total super sports bike market, which is the Rs 65,000 plus market. To garner that, they will be looking for selling about one-third of the total market which is about 15,000 units per month.

We pick up from sources that this bike will be launched on June 23. This is on the flagship model that Bajaj already has-the Pulsar. Bajaj's new 220 cc Pulsar will replace the old model as it sports an all new DTS-i engine.

The major attribute to this bike would be its speed. In fact, we understand from sources that it is going to be the fastest bike ever made in India. Its top speed will be over 140 km/hour and that is almost 15 km/hour higher than its predecessor. We also understand that this bike is going to be priced much lower than its predecessor. The earlier version of the vehicle came in at about Rs 85,000 and this is close to Rs 70,000 ex-showroom Delhi.

This bike is going to compete with the existing Yamaha's FZ16 and R15. We understand from sources that Bajaj is hoping to sell or at least capture one-third of the total super sports bike market, which is the Rs 65,000 plus market. To garner that, they will be looking for selling about one-third of the total market which is about 15,000 units per month.

[Via: moneycontrol]

The US market is one of the most developed markets in the world. TVS has already cleared its mandatory technical and emission tests for its bike and the model will foray into the US market later this year.

"We are in the launching mode, and finalising our entry into the US market. Our bike has met all stringent technical norms in the US and we have also appointed distributor to sell our products in the market. The company will launch our advanced fuel injection Apache in the US. We have tweaked the product we already sell in India with some minor changes to meet the US automotive standards," said HS Goindi, TVS Motor president (marketing & sales).

Apart from the new XCD Sprint , Bajaj is said to be planning two more bikes in the 125-135cc segment, followed by three bikes in the 150+cc segment. The company, which has a 35% market share in the domestic two-wheeler market and a 50% market share in the 125cc and above two-wheeler segment, aims to move on from entry-level 100cc machines and focus on bikes of 125cc and above.

Bajaj, which already has a significant shareholding in Austrian bike manufacturer, KTM, also aims to co-develop small-capacity sportsbikes in collaboration with the European company. Bajaj and KTM will develop these bikes for the European, Indian and perhaps other Asian markets, while Bajaj is also expected to sell some of KTMs bigger sportbikes in India, which could be assembled at BAL's plant at Chakan, near Pune.

[Via: indiaautomotive]

According to a senior representative of YMI, it is looking to launch two more bikes by next year. He affirmed that the demand for Yamaha models has been picking up of late and the company would like to keep up with the momentum. He also added that YMI is studying the demand for the scooter range, including models like Jog, Tmax and Majesty (all in 150-250cc range) in India and will take a decision about its possible introduction in due course.

Apart from lining up an array of launches, the company is also chalking out robust strategies to scale up its dealership network across the country, with 80 new dealers to be added in the current year. Currently, the company has 430 dealer networks in the country and would soon be rebranding them as concept stores.

Its marketing and promotion team is carrying out a major drive across cities and its suburbs making potential two- wheeler buyers aware of the Yamaha brand once again by giving free test rides of its newly-launched bikes. It was reported earlier that the Indian arm of Japanese bikemaker is aiming to achieve a 10 per cent market share by FY'10 and will invest nearly Rs.800 crore in the country to scale up its existing production capacity to 800,000 units in the next few years.