Much like car companies, two-wheeler makers also reported healthy growth numbers in February with Bajaj Auto being the only exception since it reported a 17% decline in sales. But despite doing poorly compared with February 2008, Bajaj managed to claw back to the second position in the domestic two-wheeler pecking order - a position it had relinquished to Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) for some months in the current fiscal.

Market leader Hero Honda Motors continued its growth spree, logging 24% growth at 329,055 units (265,431 units) and laying claim to a market share of over 56%. Much of this growth has come from the company’s new launches such as Passion Pro Power Start.

Bajaj Auto sold 132,393 units (159,508 units) in the domestic market. Managing director Rajiv Bajaj said that within the first month of sales, the XCD 135 DTS-Si sold 20,668 units. In the over 125cc segment, Bajaj sold 80,164 units across brands Platina 125, Discover, XCD 135, Avenger and Pulsar, claiming 40% share of this segment. It plans to launch four product upgrades next month in the 125cc+ segment.

TVS Motor Company reported 13% increase at 107,301 units (95,235 units) in the domestic market. HMSI crossed the one lakh unit mark for the first time this fiscal with 100,089 units (75,406 units), registering 33% sales increase.

Sindhu Bhattacharya/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication