Japanese two-wheeler major Kawasaki which has been discussing the possibility of sourcing bikes from Bajaj Auto for some time now, has finished homologating Bajaj bikes in the Philippines market and will start importing the bikes early next year.
"Kawasaki is now conducting some final market studies before deciding on the actual numbers. A decision will be taken in the next three weeks after which we can start exporting the bikes," said a senior executive at Bajaj Auto.
Kawasaki which has been collaborating with Bajaj on the technology front will import the Caliber and the Wind 125 initially. Both the bikes have been built using Kawasaki technology.
The Wind 125, Bajaj's world bike, was developed with an eye on the export market. Sources in Bajaj did not rule out the possibility of outsourcing Bajaj's indigenously developed offering, the Pulsar, in future.
On an earlier occasion, Sanjiv Bajaj, vice-president, finance, Bajaj Auto, put the export through this tie-up at around 6,000 vehicles for this fiscal. The bikes, which will be branded Kawasaki will make its debut in the Philippines from where it will find its way into various other Asian markets.
The Bajaj bikes will be the first low-powered bike in Kawasaki's portfolio. The two companies are also contemplating setting up of joint venture marketing firm for the export of Kawasaki-Bajaj bikes in the Asian region.
Bajaj Auto, which is focussing on driving up exports this fiscal has exported 35,500 vehicles in the first half, a 62 per cent growth when compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. The company has identified Latin America, China and Indonesia as its focus markets.
It is currently scouting around for a joint venture partner to assemble motorcycles in Brazil.
