Chile rolls out mining red carpet for India indutries to tap its mineral wealth

Bajaj Auto domestic sales rise 10% to 2.48 lakh units in May; exports jump 34%

Synopsis: Bajaj Auto reported domestic sales of 2,48,031 units in May 2026, up 10 per cent year-on-year, driven by growth in both two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. Total sales rose 20 per cent to 4.61 lakh units, supported by strong export demand.

New Delhi: Bajaj Auto reported domestic sales of 2,48,031 units in May 2026, registering a 10 per cent increase compared with 2,25,733 units sold in the corresponding month last year.

The Pune-based automaker’s total sales, including exports, grew 20 per cent year-on-year to 4,61,257 units during the month, up from 3,84,621 units in May 2025. Exports surged 34 per cent to 2,13,226 units, highlighting continued strength in overseas markets.

In the two-wheeler segment, domestic sales increased 9 per cent to 2,09,528 units from 1,91,412 units a year ago. Exports of motorcycles and scooters rose 30 per cent to 1,83,676 units, taking total two-wheeler sales to 3,93,204 units, an increase of 18 per cent.

The commercial vehicle business also posted strong growth. Domestic CV sales rose 12 per cent to 38,503 units, while exports jumped 65 per cent to 29,550 units. Total commercial vehicle sales stood at 68,053 units, up 30 per cent year-on-year.

For the April-May period of FY27, Bajaj Auto’s domestic sales grew 11 per cent to 4,96,241 units compared with 4,46,348 units in the same period last year. Total sales for the two-month period increased 30 per cent to 9,75,049 units, aided by a 57 per cent rise in exports.

The strong export performance continues to support Bajaj Auto’s overall growth trajectory, with overseas markets contributing nearly half of the company’s total volumes during the month.

Chile, which is in the decisive leg of negotiations for CEPA with India, is providing India with major mining opportunities in critical minerals – copper, lithium and cobalt – that would power India’s growth, semiconductor industry and green transition.

Chile possesses over 20 per cent of the world’s copper reserves, 30 per cent of global lithium reserves (the world’s second-largest producer) and a substantial amount of cobalt, offering significant opportunities for Indian companies looking to secure access to these minerals through greenfield and brownfield mining projects. ET has learnt that Santiago is extremely keen that Indian companies get involved in the mines of the Latin American country and create a long-term value chain to power India’s economic growth.

Both nations are aiming to conclude CEPA in the third or fourth quarter of this year, with India seeking favourable, long-term access to critical mineral exploration blocks (such as lithium and copper) to secure its EV and advanced electronics supply chains. Earlier this month, India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference for CEPA.

Chile is also positioning itself as the Silicon Valley of South America and is keen to invite Indian talent for the industry. “Chile has strong digital infrastructure, high penetration of the internet and a US time zone with which Indians are familiar. India produces talented engineers every year and the USA alone cannot absorb all the engineers, and Chile can provide another option,” a senior Chilean government official told ET.

Chile, which has FTAs across the Pacific region, can also be India’s gateway to the region, the above-mentioned official pointed out.

These issues figured high on the agenda when Chile’s new Foreign Minister made a week-long trip to India recently.

Known for its political and economic stability, Chile has one of the highest per capita incomes in the Latin American region and is well entrenched in the global financial architecture.