How can a product or brand rise again after a market fall? Certainly, the answer can be installing high-quality machinery of production or advanced technical optimization. But, no one can think of a come back with a sustainable solution to a global problem and also with a social message of ‘empowering the Women in the manufacturing sector.’
Recently, Bajaj with the announcement of CHETAK’s relaunch has set an exemplary example of ‘Innovative Comeback’ in the Indian manufacturing sector. Chetak, which was an iconic brand of scooters in Indian transportation, will now be built under the company’s e-mobility vision.
Bajaj stopped the production of conventional scooters in 2009 but within 10 years, in 2019 Bajaj announced Chetak’s new version to spearhead its ‘electric mobility journey. Bajaj floated its launch with ‘chetak electric yatra’ in New Delhi. With the event named ‘Hamara Kal,’ the launching of Chetak was commemorated as a step towards ‘India’s Electric Future.
The new version of chetak has tubeless tyres which will be a better transportation console contribution as observed those ecosystem harms due to butyl rubber production. Chetak is now ready for booking and test drives at some selected showrooms. Continuation of retro style is the most unique step Bajaj has taken is. There isn’t much focus laid on outlook. But, still, it remains attractive enough in its retro form.
“We mission to be the TESLA of two-wheelers in our country for which we planned the production of Chetak e-scooter at Chakan Plant,” said Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Limited. The journey of Bajaj which was started in 1959 with a contract of manufacturing two-wheelers in India, met with a speed-breaker due to the arrival of rivals like Hero Honda. It led Bajaj to launch Chetak which again gave rising sales of Bajaj scooters. But as of now, Bajaj’s new version of Chetak comes as a refined initiative of the company towards a sustainable electric India.
Chetak e-scooter will come in two variants-Urbane and Premium. A home charging station is included in the package. The main difference between the two is Urbane is equipped with drum brakes while the Premium is with Disk brakes. The Chetak’s variants cost 1 lac and 1.15 lacs inclusive of all the taxes.
Both variants can be booked at Rs. 2000 from the official website. As claimed by the company, there will be a need for maintenance per 12000 km. Chetak will come with a lithium-ion battery with a warranty period of 3 years.
Through Chetak’s range, the company is intended to provide the most viable solution to the affordability challenge for the EV manufacturing sector of Indian manufacturing.
Bajaj Chetak: Empowering women in Indian Manufacturing
With the relaunching of the Chetak e-scooter, Bajaj is changing the gender bias of Indian Manufacturing which used to be and considered to be dominated by men. Chetak’s production line of which about 80% of the employee’s women, give a crystal and clear way of finding sustainable solutions with highly skilled women in the manufacturing sector.
As per the reports revealed, only 12 per cent of the manufacturing sector is shared with women, which is quite low. With disruptive technologies transforming factories smart, the opportunity of boosting the women’s share in the manufacturing sector is now looking very promising. Like other sectors, women will be able to play a crucial and effective role in the Indian manufacturing sector. It’s observed that women bring collaboration as well as innovation in workplace management.
It is now time to bring gender inclusiveness in the Indian manufacturing sector, and Bajaj’s Chetak initiative will create awareness and attract more women to explore the opportunities in the manufacturing sector.
