What is the legacy of Eliminator 175 on Bajaj’s current lineup?
Bajaj Eliminator 175 was discontinued, but it was however a big hit among Indian motorcycle scene. Bajaj’s unique position as an early entry level cruiser by an Indian manufacturer also brings into question the long term impact on Bajaj’s product strategy. Some ask if the experience with the Eliminator had any bearing on how Bajaj developed new models, or entered new segments. The debate whether lessons learned from the Eliminator project still influence Bajaj's decision making today, in terms of experimenting with niche categories or sticking to mainstream segments, is still on. It also talks about how the Eliminator would have an impact on the way people regard the Bajaj brand and whether the Eliminator will be something of an advantage or disadvantage to them, should they plan on reowning the cruiser market sometime in the future.
The Eliminator doesn't have much of an impact on the current Bajaj lineup, I don't think. It’s obvious they’ve abandoned cruisers and are now tackling sportier bikes. The Eliminator, if anything, taught them to stay with what they do best.
The legacy of the Eliminator is more about what never came to pass. That foundation Bajaj could have built on and competed with Royal Enfield in the retro mod segment. They let RE dominate that space unchallenged instead.
The Eliminator’s influence, I’d argue, is there, but subtle. Bajaj, for instance, tries out different styles in their Pulsar line; perhaps that willingness to experiment is a remnant from the days of the Eliminator.
Bajaj learnt from the Eliminator the importance of having distinct identities of their bikes. That’s evident in the way they’re marketing the Dominar as a power cruiser – an evolved version of what an Eliminator could have turned out to be.
I honestly believe Bajaj wants to forget the Eliminator. They didn't have a massive success, and they've since moved so far away from that style, it's almost ancient to them now.
What Bajaj doesn't do with the Eliminator may be more important than what it does. The implication is that they haven’t really tried to get back in to the cruiser market again as they have learned that they are better off focusing on segments where they can be market leaders.
I think Bajaj's open to working with other brands is a reflection of the Eliminator's spirit. They're still willing to partner with KTM and Triumph, but in a smarter, more sensible way than trying to go it alone like they did with the Eliminator.
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Discussions and Questions What Is The Legacy Of Eliminator 175 On Bajajs Current Lineup
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