Bajaj Auto Falls in Controversy for V15 with IB Commercials

Bajaj Auto, which recently launched the V15 motorcycle has been facing a controversy these days with a firm namely IB Commercials. The bike was made from the metal of Indian warship hero INS Vikrant that played a vital role in the 1971 war. After giving its service to the Indian navy, India’s first aircraft carrier was sent to scrap and it was dismantled. Bajaj took an effort and bought the scrap metal from the ship to put it into its latest bike - Bajaj V15. IB Commercials is the company who is responsible for the sale of Vikrant’s metal to Bajaj. The company also claims that Bajaj has purchased the scrap metal for Rs. 1.8 lac that included one metric tonne of aluminium and two metric tonnes of Iron and Steel.

In a series of events, IB commercials emailed a letter to Bajaj on 27th January ‘16 in which it stated that the two-wheeler manufacturer had not taken an NOC from it regarding the dismantling footage and promotion of INS Vikrant metal used in the manufacturing of bike. In return, Bajaj Auto called it as a “dishonest attempt to attract more money” and responded as “You are aware that we have purchased the scrap aluminium and iron and steel generated from the breaking of INS Vikrant for a valuable consideration from you. The sale of the scrap was unconditional and we are free to deal with the metal so purchased in such manner as we may deem fit without any claim from you.”  

Furthermore, IB Commercials had also alleged Bajaj for using the dismantling clip in their advertisement and it was the same which IB officials had shot on their phone. The company reported that it had shared that clip to a particular national daily only. Bajaj replied, “It was lawfully sourced by us from its lawful owner for valuable consideration," says the letter while denying any claims by I B Commercials on the goodwill generated by using the ship's scrap. "You are neither owner of any alleged goodwill of INS Vikrant nor do you possess or have retained any rights that can prelude us from using the scrap purchased by us. The question of obtaining any NOC from you, in the circumstances, cannot and or does not arise," states the letter. 

Bajaj Auto further warns IB Commercials not to issue the information of scrap to any third party, else it deserves the right to take an appropriate action. The controversy might spoil the image of Bajaj to a slight extent but the way it had already flaunted their patriotism in the V15 has sure gained it a lot of new admirers. Stay tuned for more updates! 

Watch First Ride of Bajaj V15