New Delhi, May 26: Bajaj Auto will start production of its four-wheeled commercial vehicle RE60 — considered as a rival to autos — after the government notifies the specs and configuration of quadricycles, which is likely to come in 10 days.
Last week, the government allowed quadricycles within city limits as public transport. The quadricycle is a four-wheeled vehicle with a metal body and doors. It looks like a small car but is lighter than the Nano and has lower engine capacity and lower top speed.
“The RE60 will soon be joined by other such vehicles. We should expect more similar light, small and low speed commercial vehicles, which are safe to use in the days to come. As an anti-car company we are just delighted,” said Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj after the Centre’s announcement last week. The vehicle is likely to be priced around Rs 1.5 lakh.
Bajaj has been campaigning for the approval of this vehicle platform, which is set to be a safer option than the three-wheeled auto-rickshaw.
According to sources, quadricycles will be classified as commercial vehicles with a maximum weight of 450 kilogram and a top speed of about 70 kilometres per hour. The vehicle will only be allowed to ply on city roads and not on highways.
The RE60 has been developed in-house and is touted to set a global benchmark in CO2 emissions and deliver a high mileage of 35 kmpl. The company plans to roll out 5,000 units per month of the much-delayed vehicle from its Aurangabad plant.
It has light weight and a robust monocoque metal-polymer hybrid structure. The water-cooled DTSi four valve 200cc engine possesses a closed loop fuel injection system for a high performance and fuel efficiency.
“The RE60 seems to be a functional vehicle and is definitely better than an auto-rickshaw. We have to see its commercial viability though and pricing will play an important role in deciding its fate. Pricing will also depend on how much government support it manages to garner,” said auto expert Murad Ali Baig.
According to Baig, other companies are likely to come out with quadricycles only after seeing the performance of Bajaj’s new entrant.
“TVS originally brought in the concept of a quadricycle but never worked on it. The company can easily bring out one, but it will see how the people react to the RE60,” he said.
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