Bajaj claims it sells 2-stroke trishaws to ‘many countries’

The Indian makers of the popular Bajaj trishaws this week refuted claims that the company sells its 2-stroke, 3-wheelers only to Sri Lanka.

“Almost 55% of our domestic three wheeler sales in India are made up of 2-stroke 3-wheelers. We also export our 2 stroke 3 wheelers to Sudan, Nigeria, Peru, Somalia, Tanzania, etc,” said Sanjiv Bajaj, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd, India in a statement.

Responding to the current debate over 3-wheelers in Sri Lanka and plans to ban the 2-stroke version in the future, the company said with 3-wheelers especially being products which give self-employment and serve as bread winners for many poor middle class families, Indian authorities have devised innovate schemes coupled with reasonable time lines for upgrading the vehicle park without affecting the social fabric. The company suggested Sri Lanka also follow suit.

The statement, expressing company views as the manufacturer of 2- stroke engine Bajaj 3-wheelers, said Bajaj produces 2- stroke gasoline, 2-stroke LPG, 2- stroke CNG, 4-stroke Gasoline, 4-stroke LPG, 4-stroke CNG as also diesel 3-wheelers, which are used for both passenger and goods applications. All the above products are marketed in India and many other countries the company statement claims.

The Indian emission regulation history has evolved on a very sound basis and the emission norms which came into effect in 1991 have progressively been tightened in 1996, in 2000 and in 2005. The next stage of norms is likely to come into effect from 2010. The current norms in India are among the tightest in the world.

Bajaj 3 wheelers have continuously improved over the said period to meet the emission norms cited above. The company supplies a range of its 3-wheelers to many countries outside of India, the statement said.

“It is our strong belief that air quality needs to be improved and environmental pollution concerns need to be addressed. It is also our strong belief that most governmental agencies are not equipped to fully understand the various product technologies. As such, they should restrict their domain to mandating the desired norms developed along with industry and other relevant entities, leaving the choice of technology to the vehicle manufacturers,” the statement said.