3 Bajaj Auto Vs. TVS Motors: "Yeh Patent Ka Mamla Hai..!!"

Bajaj Auto and TVS are engaged in a blame game.. which is a good sign for the Indian Two Wheeler Industry..!!

Bajaj Auto Ko Gussa Kyun aata hai..?? (Why is Bajaj auto getting upset..??)

I remember a comic scene from the Hindi Comedy movie “Hungama”, in which the two male protagonists get into a verbal scuffle over.. well, a girl of course. In that particular scene the two characters try to size up each other. So instead of the usual Bollywood fare of blood and gore the scene ultimately culminates into nothing but a war of words without even a single blow being landed.

This incident might just mark the beginning of a long battle between the two two-wheeler giants of India.

Should such a situation arise then let me tell you that would be the best thing to happen to the Indian Two wheeler industry

The last few days have witnessed an almost similar spectacle between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors. The only difference between the movie and this corporate duel is that instead of a pretty damsel, the bone of contention in this case has been a technology which Bajaj has christened as “DTS-I”. According to Bajaj Auto, TVS Motors has violated the Intellectual Property (IP) rights with its soon to be launched “CCV-Ti” range of engines, which like the Bajaj “DTS-I” engines also happen to sport two spark plugs for the single cylinder engine.

Read about this incident here, here, here and here..

So far both the two auto makers have made public that they would take each other to court. Bajaj Auto says that they will file against TVS if they go ahead with the CCV-Ti engine. On the other hand TVS retorts by stating that they’ll sue Bajaj Auto for their “malicious remarks” against TVS Motors. It remains to be seen whether this episode actually results in either of the parties dragging the other to court.


Bike Wars ahead

Mark my words; this incident might just mark the beginning of a long battle between the two two-wheeler giants of India. Should such a situation arise then let me tell you that would be the best thing to happen to the Indian Two wheeler industry since the opening up of the Indian economy in 1991.


Why is this good for the Indian Two Wheeler Industry..?

Both TVS and Bajaj Auto have survived the post liberalization phase and have been successful to ward off threats from the Japanese Competitors. It’s no more a question of survival for these two bike makers. Now they are gunning for supremacy here. Regardless of whosoever wins the verdict (if they ever happen to go to the court) both these companies stand to gain in the long run.

This particular controversy between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors might be a small step for either of the two wheeler manufacturer but it can act as a catalyst responsible for a giant leap for the Indian two wheeler industry

After the Second World War there was a race for military and technological supremacy between the USA and the erstwhile USSR. If USSR took the honors of putting Yuri Gagarin as the first man in the space, USA managed to land Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface. This mad race for military and technological supremancy resulted in tremendous advancement in science and technology. Come to think of it, even the internet was born due to this cold war.

Similarly this particular controversy between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors might be a small step for either of the two wheeler manufacturer but it can act as a catalyst responsible for a giant leap for the Indian two wheeler industry.

From now on both TVS and Bajaj Auto will try to outdo the other with each new launch. The styling and the designs are only going to get better; the engines are only going to get more powerful; and if this isn’t enough the prices are also going to remain competitive.


Hey..!! It’s not just Bajaj and TVS who make up the Indian Two Wheeler Industry

Oh, I am sorry I almost forgot Hero Honda, the number one two wheeler manufacturer of the world; plus the global giants Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. I understand they are in India too.

But I also understand that Hero Honda doesn’t have an R&D of its own and has to depend on Honda for even minor modifications. On the other hand Honda is a Goliath of the global two wheeler industry. Its international R&D has to be busy to satisfy the rich “videsi” clientele. How can it possibly devote so much attention for designing bikes for a poor “desi” biker like me? So like THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, they’ll probably AGAIN have to rummage through whatever is available in their present lineup of products from other developing countries and hope to make the best use of it. Ditto for Suzuki and Yamaha.

Dare I expect more from them..? By the way Honda does intend to release 3-4 models in the next 3 years, including a 100 cc model. Read about it here.. Yaaawwn...

But one has to compliment on the quality of the products of these Japanese bike makers. In fact their quiet (pun intended) presence has made sure that both Bajaj and TVS cannot err too much on the quality of their products. But they have also set standards on how Bajaj and TVS shouldn’t style their bikes. Thank you very much for your contribution. Please do stick around though. If possible please prove me wrong at the Auto Expo 2008. I’ll be more than happy to eat my own words.


Amen..

I sincerely hope that this Bajaj Vs. TVS battle is a long one. Just can’t wait for the curtains to be lifted from Auto Expo 2008, New Delhi.





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This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.