Ending an almost decade old alliance, Japan’s Kawasaki and Bajaj Auto have parted ways. It wasn’t a bitter dissolution though, both parties amicably deciding to walk on their own. The Pune based manufacturer will be focusing on its partnership with KTM motorcycles, which are sold and serviced through Bajaj’s Probiking outlets that are being converted to become exclusive dealerships for the Austrian manufacturer. Until now, the dealerships also catered to Kawasaki motorcycles.
On the other hand, Kawasaki motorcycles will be sold by India Kawasaki Motors Pvt Ltd – a 100 per cent subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Japan — through its own dealer network. It will also provide after sales service, including that for past customers. Kawasaki sold over 13 different two-wheelers in the country in partnership with Bajaj Auto, where the Japanese manufacturer used a part of Bajaj’s facility in India to assemble their bikes, and their dealer network to sell them. Kawasaki’s first independent dealership in India is all set to open on March 28, 2017 in Mumbai, well before their alliance with Bajaj Auto comes to an end. The manufacturer recently launched its 2017 line up and has also announced that it will increase the amount of investments in the Indian market.
In a statement, Bajaj Auto’s President for their Probiking divison, Amit Nandi said, “Kawasaki and Bajaj have mutually arrived at an amicable decision to end their alliance in India from April 1, 2017. Both manufacturers will continue to maintain their co-operative relationship across the rest of the world for current and future businesses.” He further added, “We have progressively converted our Probiking network to be KTM dealerships. Now, the Duke & RC models are being offered in five SKU’s through the over 300 KTM dealerships in India. Going forward, Bajaj intends to focus on the KTM brand.”