India's Bajaj Auto posts higher Q2 profit as motorcycle sales jump

India’s Bajaj Auto (BAJA.NS), posted a 21% rise in second-quarter adjusted profit on Wednesday on account of higher domestic motorcycles sales.

The ‘Pulsar’ motorcycle maker reported a standalone adjusted profit of 22.16 billion rupees ($263.8 million) in the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with 18.36 billion rupees a year earlier.

However, including a deferred tax liability of 2.11 billion rupees, Bajaj’s profit grew only 9% to 20.05 billion rupees.

The tax liability was to account for the government retroactively removing the long-term tax benefits for investments before April 2023.

Two-wheeler manufacturers have benefited from a healthy monsoon. This monsoon put more money in rural India’s regions. Rural areas are a key demographic for entry-level motorcycles like Bajaj’s ‘Platina 110’.

Meanwhile, urban customers bought premium motorcycles, boosting motorcycle makers’ margins. For Bajaj, this segment includes its 200cc-plus motorcycles such as the popular ‘Pulsar’ models.

Bajaj Auto also said it will invest $10 million in its Brazil unit to help expand its business in the South American country, which also houses its first manufacturing plant outside India.

The Pune-headquartered company’s domestic two-wheeler sales – which make up about 64% of its total for two-wheelers – jumped 26% to 6,36,801 units, according to company data.

This includes sales of its ‘Chetak’ brand of electric scooters that have expanded at an aggressive pace.

Its remaining two-wheeler sales comprise of exports, which grew 5.4%, following a gradual recovery in its African and South Asian markets.

That helped its total revenue grow 21.8% to 131.27 billion rupees. ($1 = 83.9940 Indian rupees)

Also See: India: The South Asian Giant

This news is sourced from Reuters and is intended for informational purposes only.