BAJAJ Auto first to comply with BS IV norms

• Entire product range already BS IV compliant from January 2017
• Appeals for adherence to 1st April deadline for sale and registration of BS IV compliant vehicles.

Bajaj Auto today announced that it is ready to comply with EPCA's direction of neither selling nor registering any pre -BS IV vehicle from 1st of April 2017. All its two and three- wheeler manufactured from January 2017 meet the stringent norms BS IV norms. It is probably the first automobile company to completely meet BS IV norms well before the deadline of 1st April 2017.

The Central Pollution Control Board had earlier confirmed that BS III compliant vehicles could not be sold or registered anywhere in the country from 1st April'17. However, some automobile companies have requested that this deadline be extended.

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD - Bajaj Auto Ltd. said,  "Bajaj Auto as a responsible corporate has complied with this directive and had already commenced manufacturing of BS IV compliant vehicles from October 2016. Moreover, with effect from Jan 2017 all products from all our 3 plants are BS IV compliant. This has been possible because of meticulous planning for dealer stocks and switching over to the production of BS IV compliant vehicles well in advance."

He further added, "It is also pertinent to point out tightening emission to meet BS IV norms comes at a substantial cost. All those who do not change over on time will commercially benefit by selling their products at a lower price in case the amnesty is granted. Therefore, the manufacturers who have followed all directives in letter and spirit will actually end up being penalized."

The company feels that the authorities should send strong message by not giving any amnesty and if at all any short-term amnesty is given, it should be accompanied by a sizeable financial penalty on a pre vehicle basis on all BS III vehicles registered after 1st April 2017 to discourage this practice in future.

Bajaj Auto has always been at the forefront of adopting various measures for a greener and cleaner environment right from using wind power for energy requirements, use of alternate fuels like CNG and LPG for its commercial vehicles, green plantations and water treatment in its manufacturing facilities and use of advanced engine technology like the DTS-i to reduce emissions.