Best Friend Of Childhood In 90’s – Chetak
In 1948, Pune-based automaker Bajaj Auto imported geared Vespa scooters and brought them to Indian roads, becoming the country’s first scooter dealer. It had a near monopoly in the Indian market until the mid-1980s, with little opposition from the Piaggio-LML collaboration. Scooters, on the other hand, began to lose favour in the mid-1980s, when the desire for motorcycles exploded.
Those who grew up in the late 1980s and 1990s witnessed the rise of India’s two-wheeler industry, from Bajaj Chetak to Yamaha’s RX 100. Back then, the Bajaj Priya, Chetak, CD100, and Kinetic Luna were the most popular utilitarian two-wheeler in India. The penetration of these former lifelines and current relics was such that there isn’t a single person in their late twenties or early thirties who doesn’t have romantic tales about these two-wheeler to tell.
Hamara Bajaj, Hamara Bajaj – Bajaj Chetak
Maharana Pratap’s horse, Chetak, has been lauded in mythology since the battle of Hadligati in 1576, when Chetak saved Maharana’s life. Threads that bind relationships are said to be invisible, yet if we imagine giving those threads a corporeal form, the first thing that comes to mind is Bajaj Chetak. Since its introduction in 1972, the scooter has remained an unspoken part of many Indian families. Even though the owners of this automobile were ordinary individuals, this 145.5 cc miracle made them feel like Maharanas. It started off as a two-stroke vehicle, but was eventually upgraded to a four-stroke vehicle. In 2009, it ceased production.
Initially, the booking period for scooters is roughly three months. After then, residents had to wait 20 months to have Chetak. Chetak’s sales peaked at 8 lakhs in 1986. This is a first.
For that generation of individuals, Chetak being in front of the house parking lot is a status symbol.
This generation will be shocked to learn that someone’s wedding has been cancelled and the wedding date has been rescheduled owing to a lack of funds to pay for the dowry of a Chetak scooter.
The Downfall – Bajaj Chetak
Chetak’s demise began in the 1990s, when new regulations were enacted. As a result of the sudden increase in pollution, 4 stroke technologies was introduced, forcing the competition to create next generation cost effective machines for everyone. With the opportunities available, next generation manufacturers were able to create a new breed of vehicles that were modern looking, affordable, and easy to manage.
Future & Surprise Rebirth 2.0
As the Bajaj Group progressed, Rajiv Bajaj, the company’s young CEO, wanted to resurrect the legend. The moment had come to introduce Chetak to a new generation of buyers and resurrect a long-forgotten legend.
Rahul Bajaj – Mind Behind Hamara Wala Bajaj
Mr. Bajaj’s biography is a shining example of unwavering dedication and constant change. Mr Bajaj’s finest quality is that he never let the times get ahead of him and always kept up with the needs of the times. He not only survived, but also triumphed over the challenges of a fast-paced environment with the strongest of convictions.
Mr. Rahul Bajaj is the founder and CEO of the well-known Bajaj Group. He is one of India’s most successful businesspeople. Mr Bajaj, who is 77 years old, is the CEO of the Bajaj Group of Companies, which operates in a variety of industries, from automotive to finance and home appliances.
The stock market witnessed a major decrease during the post-millennium stagnation period, and Bajaj Group, as one of the best domestic companies, felt the heat. The issue was exacerbated by the advent of global heavyweight Honda, which formed a partnership with the Hero Group. Mr Bajaj found a solution when he created a state-of-the-art production facility in Chakan and delivered one of Bajaj’s most acclaimed 2-wheelers, the Pulsar Motorcycle, to Indian customers. Pulsar motorcycles have been prevalent in the two-wheeler industry since their inception, and their appeal has not waned.
In 2001, Mr. Rahul Bajaj was awarded the Padma Bhushan. The French government also bestowed upon him the prestigious Order of the Legion of Honour. He has also earned the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award, as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Economic Times, CNBC TV18, and Ernst & Young. He has also been awarded Honorary Doctorates from seven universities, the most prestigious of which being IIT Roorkee.
Veteran industrialist Rahul Bajaj, synonymous with Bajaj Auto recently passed away in Pune. He was 83.
