Pune: Firodia group company Bajaj Tempo has announced sales of Rs 1,000crore for 2003-04. Moreover, for the first time in its history, within the last three months, the company''s sales have rapidly risen to Rs 1,143crore.

The company grew at the rate of 34 per cent the previous year and the growth was achieved across all the four segments in which the company operates viz three-wheelers, multi-utility vehicles (MUVs), light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and tractors.

The success the company is evident from the figures pertaining to the individual product sectors. The company''s MUV segment showed an impressive growth of 66 per cent over that of last year, while the three-wheeler segment experienced a 14 per cent growth. The LCV division grew at an impressive 32 per cent and the tractor division saw an increase of 10 per cent.

Abhay Firodia, chairman and managing director, Bajaj Tempo said, "Bajaj Tempo plans to cross the production target of 1,00,000 vehicles per year by 2005."

An interesting milestone achieved during this fiscal was the rollout of the 1,00,000th Trax vehicle. This range of tough, rugged, utility vehicles powered by the legendary BTL OM616 Mercedes engine is a major success.

During the last two years, the company has focused on the external value chain, and has undertaken the strengthening and energising of its sales channel.

In the nineties, the company pursued the 4X4 corporate concept; four product lines and four areas of excellence.

The four major product lines were light commercial vehicles, utility vehicles, three-wheelers and tractors, and the four emphasised areas of excellence were, advanced research and development, competent production engineering, hi-tech power-packs and manufacturing and efficient vehicle assembly.

The company has now added a ''fifth'' dimension to its vision by adding another product line of heavy commercial vehicles. The company recently entered into a wide-ranging alliance with MAN - global manufacturer of diesel engines and heavy trucks. The company expects to introduce path-breaking new technology in this field.

Simultaneously, the ''fifth'' area of excellence, which the company is now focusing on, is "marketing". Having effectively separated its sales channels and marketing organisation for each product line, Bajaj Tempo has chalked out an impressive customer relationship and market mapping initiative.

The company has also undertaken several focused corporate initiatives, including TQM, OD (organisational development), and lean logistics, to enhance its competitive posture and improve its operational efficiency.

Over the last decade, the company has invested around Rs 500crore in R&D, technological upgradation and plant modernisation.

Over the next five years Bajaj Tempo plans to invest an additional Rs 400crore in new facilities and state-of-the-art technology; both for products and processes.