Bajaj ‘Qute’ quadricycle entry into local market
After an over 2-year struggle, the ‘Qute’ quadricycle manufactured by India’s Bajaj Auto Ltd is now on sale in Sri Lanka, following its inclusion in a separate category of under section 203 in the Motor Traffic Act.
File picture of the Qute.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has promulgated regulations in a gazette extraordinary recently approving quadricycle as a road-going vehicle under a separate category, a senior official of the ministry said.
These quadricycle regulations have classified this vehicle category as four-wheeled microcars defined by limitations in terms of weight, power and speed, he revealed.
Previously the Motor Traffic Department (DMT) had refused approval to the Bajaj RE60 Quadricycle which has been seeking permission to enter the local market since 2015, due to concerns over its safety aspects .and road worthiness, he added.
The local agent for the RE60 vehicle requested the DMT to register it under a different category, but no decision was taken towards this end until recently as it needed to create a new category for this vehicle and make regulations accordingly.
The vehicle distinguishes itself from a car on the basis of weight (under 500 kg), speed (70 kmph) and power (less than 15 kilowatts).
However India is yet to launch the quadricycle due to delays in completing administrative procedures of the road transport authorities in that country including the Automotive Research Association for its roadworthiness as is the norm for all vehicles.
Even under these circumstances, Bajaj Auto has exported these vehicles to 16 countries including Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia at a price of around $2000, before its launch in India, Indian media reported.
It is not a car or a three-wheeler and therefore not a replacement for either. It is an alternate vehicle that combines some features of both to provide smart, affordable, environmentally friendly mobility, the ministry official said.
According to new regulations gazetted by the ministry, this vehicle is permitted to run at a speed of 50 kmph although it could accelerate up to a maximum speed up to 70kmph.
Sri Lanka’s David Pieris Motor Company Ltd (DPMC), the sole distributors for India’s Bajaj-brand of vehicles, has already sold 20 units of quadricycles and its demand is gradually increasing, a top official of the company revealed.
This vehicle is ideal for first time vehicle buyers and families who cannot afford to buy a car and who do not want a three wheeler either because of its social status, he said adding that even owners of three wheelers could go for quadricycles which have fuel efficiency and low running costs due to lower fuel consumption and its light weight.
This category of vehicle could transform Sri Lanka’s transport landscape and could bring vehicle ownership and affordable mobility to a previously untapped market segment both in urban and rural areas, he said.
According to company officials, Bajaj Auto’s Qute will be launched in India soon following the approval recently there by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
With the dismissal of all court cases filed in India against this vehicle citing safety, the 216cc Qute could hit the roads by the end of this year, Indian media reports revealed.
However in India there are still questions about the clearance given to quadricycles by government, and those are fully justified as far as load carrying or passenger transportation is concerned, several local motor traders said.
Sri Lanka is facing dire consequences as a result of permitting the entry of three wheelers in to the country and it cannot allow Bajaj Auto RE60 to ply on roads as an alternative to small cars, they emphasised.
The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection recently handed over a petition to the Indian High Commission against the attempt to import “Quadricycle”-micro car into the country
Chairman of the movement Ranjith Withanage pointed out that on the directions of Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the government has given clearance to import this Indian made vehicle which is yet to be launched in India.