Bajaj Qute quadricycle, manufactured in India, has been launched in Turkey as part of the company’s plans to expand into sixteen foreign markets
Bajaj Auto was on course to revolutionise public commuting with the propounding of a quadricycle concept with Qute four-wheeler, a small city runaround with cost saving production techniques to appeal for a broad range of budget-focussed customers.
Initially known as RE60, the Qute quadricycle raised eyebrows when it made its public debut as safety concerns took centre stage. Even though the company claimed to be transforming two and three wheel vehicle-owning Indians on to four-wheels at an affordable price tag, Bajaj’s rivalling automakers took them to court over safety standards of the quadricycle segment.
In September 2015, MD of Bajaj Auto, Rajiv Bajaj said during its launch that the quadricycle is all about “raising the bar” not just for his company which has seen increased competition in three-wheeler market lately but also for the standard of living for his targetted consumers.
Bajaj Auto is the world’s largest three-wheeler manufacturer but in the wake of more segment rivals breeding a new category will only give a head-start according to Rajiv Bajaj, the pioneer of quadricycles in India. However, with the ongoing public interest litigation in the Supreme Court, Bajaj couldn’t just make any further moves as it waits on judiciaries to give a word-go.
Instead of having to wait for approval to sell the product locally, the increasingly frustrated company decided to venture onto foreign markets with the Qute quadricycle. Within two months of shipping 20 units to Turkey, Baja has now launched the small four-wheeler at a price tag of 3.8 lakhs (16,800 Tl) there.
Alongside Turkish market, Bajaj has been targetting 15 other foreign countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Kenya, Peru and Ecuador.
The launched product in Turkey has been manufactured at Baja’s once-abandoned scooter factory at Waluj near Aurangabad which has exclusive production capacity of upto 5,000 units for Qute based on its demands.
Bajaj acquired European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) in Netherlands recently, certifying the Qute as in compliance with European quadricycle norms. But it doesn’t seem to be rushing up with launching this vehicle in other markets as Turkey could be taken as a test bed to learn and understand the product’s strengths and limitations.
Weighing under 400kg, the Qute quadricycle is powered by an all-new water cooled DTSi, four-valve, 217cc engine with a fuel economy of 36kpl and a top speed of 70kph.
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Image Gallery : Bajaj Qute Quadricycle Launched in Turkey
