Bajaj Pulsar vs TVS Apache (Sales Report): February 2019 has again proven the fact that Bajaj Pulsar is unbeatable in its segment with 84,151 units in just 28-days of the month. On the other hand, the most designated rival to the lightweight sports series, TVS Apache posted 35,604 units during the same period. The gap is increasing gradually as earlier, both the brands were competing with a difference of fewer than 20,000 units and now, the gap has increased by approx 49,000 units. The sales number for Bajaj Pulsar is high due to the presence of Pulsar 150 and the same completely depends on the pricing factor.
Here is the distribution of Pulsar 150 (63,673 units individually) variants according to the official Bajaj Auto website. This leaves all other variants (180, 180 Neon, 220F, NS160, NS200, and RS200) good for just approx 21,000 units during the entire month. The pricing factor for the Pulsar is the strongest point as going through the starting price of Apache 160 will clear the same in a better manner.
- Pulsar 150 Neon: INR 64,998
- Pulsar 150: INR 76,800
- Pulsar 150 Twin Disc: INR 80,794
- Apache 160: INR 79,370
- Apache 160 Rear Disc: INR 81,699
Above mentioned prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
The Bajaj Pulsar vs TVS Apache numbers will get further divided once ABS becomes mandatory for all bikes. Also, the 160cc engine size of the Apache attracts more insurance cost and further extends the on-road price difference between both the models. The introduction of 150 Neon gave Bajaj an exclusive monopoly over 150cc products, with only Honda Unicorn having the potential to bring a huge number in the presence of this most-loved Pulsar model.
TVS will need to have a regular 150 or 160cc model with Apache nameplate and watered-down performance and feature list to bring an ex-showroom price tag of around INR 70,000-75,000 (with ABS) to take on the Pulsar dominance in India.