Rajiv Bajaj On How The Company Transformed Into A Global Giant From A Scooter Brand

What does it mean to be the best? I remember 23 years ago we could not export anything. If we could export at least 10%, I said we would be world-class. My father showed me the way. At an AGM, a shareholder comment recorded that Honda had 10,000 people in R&D alone, while Bajaj had 10,000 in total. I was 27 and it was a career-defining moment. In contemplating the 500-pound Honda gorilla, my favorite mantra emerged: 'When in trouble, narrow your focus.' We decided to focus every resource on creating high-tech motorcycles for the world, exit cheap two-wheelers, and eventually launch the Pulsar in 2001, ending scooter production by 2005. Since 2021, Bajaj Auto has been the world's most valuable two-wheeler maker by market cap, all beginning with a laser choice by my father. We developed our own technology in the 1990s, and now Bajaj is the world's third-largest motorcycle maker, largest three-wheeler maker, and India's number one electric vehicle maker by revenue. We export half of what we make. India's manufacturing competitiveness in value-added engineering beats China, Vietnam, and Thailand, due to the market scale and engineer skills. The true reward of toil is what one becomes. This journey of taking Bajaj global has taught us that we are not conquering, but surrendering to the universe. We are tools of fortunate circumstances. I hope Rishabh will help me walk my talk as I helped my father. We commissioned a film from Raju Hirani. A few days ago I said: 'You just can't beat a Raju,' just as my father said 'You just can't beat a Bajaj.' So keep expectations low, clap generously, and whistle loudly.