Bajaj Auto managing director says input costs rising steadily

Bajaj Auto, India's second-largest motorcycle maker, is seeing input costs rising steadily but does not expect the current year to be as severe as the fiscal 2011 that ended March, managing director Rajiv Bajaj said on Wednesday.                                           

Indian auto makers are expected to face pressure on operating margins as commodity prices continue to rise. The rising costs of steel, rubber and other inputs have forced some Indian car makers to raise prices in recent months.                                          

Bajaj Auto beat forecasts with a net profit of Rs14 billion for the quarter ended March, compared with Rs5.32 billion a year ago.