India’s Bajaj Auto, makers of the Chetak Vespa PX clone has announced it will be exiting the scooter business to focus on its motorcycle production.

The Chetak was at one point the world’s top selling scooter, so the move is significant and a strong indicator of India’s move to the middle class of motorcycle and eventually car ownership.

Bajaj’s downward decline began in the late Nineties with the introduction of a series of Honda motorcycles which tilted the market in favor of motorcycles. Bajaj has also increasingly lost out to its main rival, LML, the manufacturer behind the Genuine Scooter Company’s Stella also sold in Europe under its original LML badging.

Argo USA, the key importer of Bajaj scooters has updated its site accordingly:

Message from the president:

We have sold the last of our Chetak scooters and Bajaj Auto will not be building any more
of these classics. Bajaj Auto has”retired” the Chetak tooling and closed the plant.
They have consolidated their production into two of their other Indian factories and have
moved on to production of small engine motorcycles.

There is no truth to the rumor that Bajaj Auto will be making more Chetaks.
There are still a few Chetaks available at some Bajaj dealers but sales move
too quickly for us to monitor accurately.

I’m keeping a Legend and Chetak for my personal use, and no, they are not for sale.

Bajaj Auto continues to supply us with parts and we will continue to support these fine machines.

The sad passing of a legendary motor scooter …and life goes on.

Regards,
Al Kolvites

For more details on Baja’s exit, visit the India Times.

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