Bajaj Auto’s Qute will finally debut on Indian roads a good six years after it was first unveiled as the RE60 at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has given its go-ahead to the quadricycle policy and the notification is expected to be issued in the coming days.

“We are delighted that Qute will soon enter the Indian market,” Rakesh Sharma, President (International Business), Bajaj Auto, told BusinessLine in a telephonic interview.

This should happen in the next 2-3 months once the necessary clearances come from the Automotive Research Association of India, while separate discussions will follow with Regional Transport Offices in different States. It has been a long wait for Qute with some sections of the automotive industry objecting to its entry here citing safety concerns. After that, there were other hurdles to contend with in the form of public interest litigations filed in various courts.

Focussed on exports

In the meantime, Bajaj Auto decided to kick off exports for Qute since it was getting increasingly clear that its debut on the home turf was not going to happen in a hurry. As head of the company’s international business, Sharma had his work cut out in pushing an all-new vehicle category into new markets.

After all, it was going to be quite a challenge establishing its brand overseas when it had not got the green signal in its own home market, India. Yet, over the last couple of years, Qute has gradually grown its presence across 11 countries with 10 more scheduled to be added to the list this year with the eventual goal being 26.

Emerging markets in focus

Emerging markets are clearly the core focus for Qute. “Central America is one of these with Mexico and Peru scheduled to be added soon,” said Sharma.

In South Asia, Sri Lanka has seen “massive bookings” for Qute, while many vehicles have been put out in Bangladesh too. Likewise, in the ASEAN region, Indonesia is now home to Qute.

Market feedback from Latin America and Africa have indicated that the vehicle confers a certain sense of enhanced status for its user. In Russia, Qute has doubled up as a comfortable substitute for motorcycle riders during its harsh winter.

Competing with 3-wheelers

While these international experiences will, doubtless, be important in the Indian context too, Sharma said every market was essentially different with its own set of characteristics. In the case of India, Bajaj Auto already has a booming 3-wheeler business and it will be interesting to see how Qute gets around to co-exist in this ecosystem. “Apart from safety, performance and emissions, status is a big thing which comes with Qute. Urbanisation is also increasing in India and this is where a vehicle like this will have a role to play,” said Sharma.

From Bajaj Auto’s point of view, it is important to gauge user feedback to Qute across the country as this will vary from region to region. Additionally, the marketing team will also check what traditional 3-wheeler users/drivers have to say about it.

“We will study the market in great detail for a year following the launch which will give us an idea of what to do next,” said Sharma.

For now, the 216cc Qute is powered by petrol but it is only a matter of time before other fuel options such as CNG/LPG and even electric also become available.

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