British premium motorcycle brand Triumph joined hands with our homegrown manufacturer Bajaj in January last year. The intention was to combine Triumph’s technological knowledge and Bajaj’s production expertise to create bikes ranging from 200cc to 750cc. According to the latest media reports, the production of its first bike is delayed owing to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation. The first product from this collaboration is most likely to be a 250cc-350cc single-cylinder motorbike.
Previously, the idea was to produce low-cost motorcycles under the Triumph brand, with the first model set to hit the market in 2022. According to the partnership plan, Triumph will design the motorbike using its R&D skills, while Bajaj will handle production because it is recognised for producing bikes at a low cost. This forthcoming model will be offered under the Triumph brand and is likely to start at about Rs. 2 lakh which is significantly low in comparison to the company’s present most affordable motorcycle in the Indian two-wheeler market.
As per the statement of Rakesh Sharma, executive director, Bajaj Auto, the company has reached the product development stage and made prototypes already but it’s taking time in the process because there is a requirement for engineers to make any correction if needed. However, due to the Delta variant possibilities, there are travelling restrictions between India and UK. Hence, the engineers from the UK are unable to come to India and the companies have to delay the launch.
According to the sources, the British brand has made it very clear that Bajaj will produce Triumph bikes only and there won’t be any Bajaj version of the motorcycles based on the same platform. Bajaj has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra govt to develop a new manufacturing plant in Chakan which is expected to be functional from 2023.