The Upper Crust

RAJIV BAJAJ

MD, Bajaj Auto

Rajiv Bajaj is an important man in Bajaj and has been heading the company since 2005. He has grown in the company, starting from 1990 when he was in the research and development branch. After five years he went into engineering and was there until 2000. Finally, he moved to the marketing and sales department and proved that he was an important asset for Bajaj, after which in 2005 he became the managing director.

Rajiv has confirmed the launch of Bajaj’s range of electric bikes in alliance with KTM for 2019. On the topic of EVs, he wasn’t too happy about the deadline of electrification of all two-wheelers by 2023 and voiced his concerns regarding the same. Rumours suggest that there is also a new Pulsar in the works which could be seen by the end of this year.

The main focus of 2019 was to finally launch the much-awaited Husqvarna bikes. The fruition of the Triumph and Bajaj partnership is very near and Rajiv has already confirmed that they have started working on the motorcycle together. The launches of the KTM 790 Duke and the KTM 390 Adventure are still awaited, but we can be sure that they’re not too distant.

VIKAS JHABAKH

MD, Benelli India

Benelli’s presence in India was on the verge of extinction following the DSK Group debacle. That is when the Chinese-owned Italian motorcycle brand decided to form an alliance with Adishwar Auto Ride India (AARI), a part of the Mahavir Group. Vikas Jhabakh is the young man at the helm who is expected to rejuvenate Benelli’s innings in India. He holds an MBA from the Emory University – Goizueta Business School and the University of Warwick – Warwick Business School.

Shortly after Jhabakh took