India's second-biggest motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto would launch a motorcycle in the executive segment within a year and aims to post upto 7 per cent sales growth to 1.5 million units this year, a top company official said today.

"We will launch a motorcycle in the executive category in the next six months to one year. We target to post 6-7 per cent sales rise during 2003-04 to 1.5 million units," its vice-chairman Madhur Bajaj told PTI in New Delhi.

The mid-segment or executive category constitutes 80 per cent of motorcycle sales in India, the second-biggest two-wheeler market after China.

"We have already established a leadership position in the entry and premium segment. With the launch of the motorcycle in the middle segment, we want to garner a 50 per cent of the volume spinner category," he said.

In the entry-level category, Bajaj Auto manufactures 100cc Boxer while in the premium segment the company produces 150cc and 180cc Pulsar.

"At present, we are trying to identify what will succeed in the mid category. The motorcycle will hit the road within six months to one year," Bajaj said.

Asked about the customer response to the company's entry-level motorcycle BYK, he said, "Numbers have come down".