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    in Bike

    Bajaj Chetak vs TVS iQube Electric Scooter Sales May 2021

    Bajaj Chetak Electric ScooterTVS iQube is currently priced at Rs 1.01 lakh whereas prices for Bajaj Chetak start from Rs 1.4 lakhs onward (all prices ex-showroom)
    Despite the emergence of multiple options, especially in the two-wheeler space, the electric mobility segment is still at a nascent stage in the Indian market. This has mainly got to do with lack of charging infrastructure and high initial cost of electric vehicles in the country. These barriers will hopefully be overcome in the coming few years.
    While there are many newcomers in the auto industry, the EV space depends heavily on the established auto houses for customers to flock in sizable numbers. As of now, there are only two such offerings in the two-wheeler segment which are offered by mainstream manufacturers- TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak.
    Chetak, iQube Sales
    Sales volume of both these models has been fluctuating despite both of them carrying well-established brand names. Bajaj sold only 31 units of Chetak in May this year while TVS wasn’t able to sell a single unit of iQube during the same period. Last month, these figures stood at 508 units and 307 units respectively for Chetak and iQube, thus registering negative MoM growths of 93.90 percent and 100.00 percent.
    iQube had a better start to the year with a monthly sales volume of 211 units, 203 units, and 355 units in the first three months of 2021 respectively. In comparison, Chetak has a slow beginning, with 30 units, 150 units and 90 units sold during the same period.
    Bajaj Chetak vs TVS iQube Electric Scooter Sales May 2021
    It must also be kept in mind that bookings of Chetak were suspended for a brief period during the early part of this year which may have led to its low sales numbers. Hence, during the first three months, sales of iQube remained higher than its immediate rival from Bajaj.
    A total of 809 units of Chetak have been sold by Bajaj until now this year whereas iQube has registered a sales volume of 1,776 units this year which is cumulatively greater than 267 units for the first six months.
    With improved electric mobility space, these figures are expected to see a gradual increase in the coming future. Further, modified FAME II norms have increased subsidies on offer for electric two-wheeler consumers which may boost sales in this space.
    iQube, Chetak Specs
    iQube is powered by a 2.25kWh battery pack that feeds energy to a 4.4kW hub-mounted BLDC motor. This powertrain is good enough to return a claimed range of 75km with a top speed claimed of 40kmph in Eco mode and 78kmph in Sport mode. This setup delivers a torque out of 140 Nm.
    On the other hand, Chetak features a 3kWh IP67 rated lithium-ion battery pack paired with an electric motor which returns a peak output of 4kW and 16 Nm. It provides a single-charge range of 95km and 85km on Eco and Sport modes respectively. More

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    in Bike

    Revolt Electric Motorcycle New Price Rs 91k – Bookings Open From Tomorrow

    File photoRevolt has claimed to increase production in order to cater to unprecedented demand
    Last month Revolt stopped accepting bookings for its electric motorcycles- RV300 and RV400 due to heavy pending orders. The company came out and said that it had to do so because of excessive demand. The electric bikemaker has now resumed accepting fresh orders for both RV300 and RV400 from June 18th, 12 PM onwards.
    Currently, Revolt conducts its business in India across six cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad but plans to expand to 35 cities in the near future. A media release from the company states that the brand will be re-opening only after confirming delivery dates for all existing orders in hand.
    Less Waiting Period
    To this effect, Revolt has decided to bring forward delivery dates for the bookings made by customers prior to this. These bookings were earlier slated to be honoured in the latter part of the current year. Prices have been reduced to INR 90,799/-, ex-showroom in Delhi. Price reduction is thanks to amendment in the FAME II policy.
    In addition, the company claims to have increased its production capacity, therefore, clearing pending deliveries faster. This should put an end to long waiting periods one was earlier subjected to with Revolt electric bikes and shorten the gap between booking date and delivery.
    Revolt Electric Motorcycle
    New Name
    Revolt has a completely contactless online booking system and interested consumers can register their bookings by visiting the official company website and clicking on the “Notify Me” tab. Another major development took place when the company decided to be renamed as RattanIndia-Revolt now. The former is one of the principal investors in Revolt Motors and hence the name addition.
    Commenting on the announcement, Mr Rajiv Rattan, Chairman, Revolt and RattanIndia Enterprises said, “We’ve been witnessing a delightful response for Revolt bikes. We are happy to see Revolt is growing rapidly and we look forward to expanding the electric eco-system in the country. With a huge demand for electric motorcycles in the market, we are confident that Revolt will fulfil the rapid shift towards EV mobility with an ecosystem which is environment friendly and sustainable in the country.”
    RV400, RV300: Specs & Features
    Coming to specifications, RV400 is driven by a 3kW (Mid Drive) motor which derives its energy from a 72V, 3.24kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack and returns a torque output of 54 Nm. This powertrain offers an ARAI-certified range of 156km per charge and a top speed limited to 85 kmph.
    The electric motorcycle also benefits from the MyRevolt App, which offers connectivity features such as bike locator/Geo-fencing, complete bike diagnostics, battery status, historical data on your rides and kilometres travelled as well. It also gets the option of locating the nearest Revolt Switch Station to swap the bike’s battery within 60 seconds.
    On the other hand, RV300 is propelled by a smaller 1.5KW Hub Motor which is paired with a 60-volt, 2.7 kWh lithium-ion battery delivering a range of 180km on a single charge. Both bikes come with USD forks up front and a fully adjustable mono-shock at rear. Additionally, both models feature three riding modes – Eco, Normal and Sport each suiting to the riding style and needs of the rider. More

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    in Bike

    Top 10 Two Wheelers May 2021 – Splendor, Pulsar, Apache, Activa, Classic 350

    Image – Patna BikesAs anticipated, all top ten two wheelers have negative MoM growth in May
    Total sales of top ten two wheelers in May was 2,71,522 units. MoM growth is down by -59.93%, as compared to 6,77,609 units sold in April. Although the numbers are discouraging, there are hopes that the worst may be over for the auto sector.
    It’s true that possibilities of Covid third wave exist. But with vaccinations and improved health infrastructure, the situation may not be as bad as last year and on-going second wave. The only thing that may still be a concern in the coming months is negative consumer sentiments.
    Splendor leads
    Hero Splendor is the top selling two wheeler in May with sales of 1,00,435 units. MoM sales have close to halved, as compared to 1,93,508 units sold in April. Percentage share in sales is at 36.99%.
    At number two is HF Deluxe with sales of 42,118 units in May. MoM growth is down by -40.92%, as compared to 71,294 units sold in April. Share in sales is 15.51%. It’s evident that the combo of Splendor and HF Deluxe command more than 50% share in sales of the top ten two wheelers.
    Top 10 Two Wheelers May 2021
    Hero MotoCorp had recently launched a new variant of HF Deluxe called HF100. Priced at just under Rs 50k, it is the most affordable motorcycle from the company. HF100 will have improved competencies against rivals like Bajaj CT100.
    Bajaj Pulsar is at number three with 39,625 units sold in May. MoM numbers are down by -40.49%, as compared to 66,586 units sold in April. Share in sales is at 14.59%. To provide more options to customers, Bajaj will soon introduce multiple 250cc Pulsar models. It could include a naked, semi-faired and a fully-faired motorcycle.
    At number four is TVS Apace with sales of 19,885 units in May. MoM de-growth is at -32.50%, as compared to 29,458 units sold in April. Share in sales is at 7.32%.

    Top 10 2Wheelers
    May-21
    Apr-21
    Growth % MoM

    Hero Splendor
    1,00,435
    1,93,508
    -48.10

    Hero HF Deluxe
    42,118
    71,294
    -40.92

    Bajaj Pulsar
    39,625
    66,586
    -40.49

    TVS Apache
    19,885
    29,458
    -32.50

    Honda Activa
    17,006
    1,09,678
    -84.49

    Honda CB Shine
    14,666
    79,416
    -81.53

    Bajaj Platina
    11,164
    35,467
    -68.52

    Suzuki Access
    9,706
    53,285
    -81.78

    Royal Enfield Classic 350
    9,239
    23,298
    -60.34

    Bajaj CT100
    7,678
    15,619
    -50.84

    Total
    2,71,522
    6,77,609
    -59.93

    Activa has max MoM de-growth
    Among the top ten, Honda Activa has the highest MoM loss in percentage terms. Sales are down -84.49%, from 1,09,678 units in April to 17,006 units in May. Share in sales is at 6.26%.
    Activa, along with other Honda two wheelers, are expected to get Bluetooth connectivity via RoadSync platform. Honda had filed a trademark application for ‘RoadSync’ name in India, which has been approved. It increases the likelihood that the feature could soon be introduced for select Honda models.
    Other two wheelers in top ten include Honda CB Shine (14,666 units), Bajaj Platina (11,164), Suzuki Access (9,706), Royal Enfield Classic 350 (9,239), and Bajaj CT (7,678). CB Shine and Access have lost more than 80% of their MoM sales in May. More

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    in Electric Cars

    SsangYong Korando eMotion Debuts – New J100 Electric SUV Teased

    SsangYong J100 Electric SUV TeaserSsangYong has been incurring heavy losses for past few years and future electric products hold key for this foreign Mahindra entity
    Ssangyong has officially introduced its first electric vehicle (EV) in the form of Korando e-Motion. The battery-powered electric SUV is slated to go on sale in international markets later this year. It is based on the same Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture (MESMA) platform which is also set to underpin the upcoming Mahindra XUV300 Electric.
    The subcompact electric UV was first showcased by the Indian carmaker at the last edition of AutoExpo in 2020. Apart from these two models, the MESMA platform will also underpin SsangYong’s new Tivoli EV which was spotted testing last year. It should be noted that the regular XUV300 is based on the IC engine-powered Tivoli.
    SsangYong Korando Electric
    Specifications & Features
    The modular MESMA architecture boasts a low-set, lithium-ion battery pack that can support multi-motor configurations. SsangYong Korando Electric SUV will be powered by a 61.5kWh battery pack supplied by LG Chem. The Korean carmaker claims a range of 420km on the outdated NEDC cycle in a single charge. As per the new WLTP cycle, the electric crossover is expected to offer a more humble single-charge range of 322km depending on the conditions and driving style.
    While exact specifications of the electric motor are yet to be revealed, it is said to deliver an output close to 190 bhp with SsangYong promising ‘best-in-class’ acceleration and a top speed around 152kph.
    SsangYong J100 SUV teaser sketch
    The battery-powered Korando is expected to offer a spacious cabin, along with a host of creature comforts such as a multifunctional steering wheel, auto climate control and a touchscreen infotainment console with support for the latest connectivity facilities. In terms of safety, the SUV will offer multiple airbags, parking sensors, ABS with EBD, a rear-view camera and crash sensors.
    Exterior Styling
    Coming to its exterior styling, Korando e-Motion wears an uncanny resemblance with the XUV300 Electric prototype showcased at Auto Expo last year. It gets some styling tweaks to distinguish itself from its ICE-powered sibling. These include a closed front grille to aid aerodynamics, a muscular hood and a smooth flowing front bumper.
    Other notable highlights include blacked-out B-pillars, roof rails, designer alloy wheels, vertically stacked fog lamps and circular black wheel arch cladding. However, the most attractive highlights are the blue detailings sprayed across the lower front bumper, indicator-mounted ORVMs and bottom of the rear door panels.
    SsangYong J100 SUV teaser sketch
    Expected Price
    The new Korando Electric is expected to go on sale in European markets starting August this year, followed by United Kingdom. In UK, it is expected to carry a price tag of around £30,000 (approx. INR 31 lakh). Production of the electric crossover commenced on June 14 but due to the ongoing crisis of shortage of semiconductor chips, its home launch had to be delayed. It will rival the likes of Hyundai Kona electric and MG ZS EV.
    Next Electric SUV
    SsangYong will continue to launch more electric vehicles in the future. The next in line is codenamed J100, sketches of the same can ben seen in images above. Launch is scheduled for 2022 and will sit below the larger Rexton SUV. This will be followed by the launch of electric pickup truck by 2023/24. More

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    in Motor News

    Volvo Recalling 2019–2020 Vehicles over Fuel-Pump Fuse Problem

    Volvo is recalling 85,550 U.S.-market vehicles from the 2019 and 2020 model years over an issue with the fuel pump that could lead to engine stallingThe report filed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the only 2019–2020 Volvo that is not included is the XC40.Volvo will notify owners starting August 1 and will swap out a fuse to a different one in dealerships at no charge. Volvo will recall 2019 and 2020 vehicles from nearly all of its model lines—with the XC40 the only excluded model in the lineup—to replace a fuse that could lead to fuel pump issues and possibly to engine stalling. That means that the S60, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 are all subject to the recall, adding up to 85,550 vehicles in the U.S. market.The report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that this issue has actually happened in 46 vehicles. The agency said that drivers might experience the problem just after waking up the vehicle, as when unlocking it, opening the door, or pushing on the brake pedal before starting to drive, saying the fuse might blow when the engine control module “demands shut off of the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) due to electrical current peaks.” If the fuse blows, the low-pressure fuel pump will obviously no longer function, which could prevent the engine from starting. However, plug-in-hybrid models could either stop safely or keep moving as long as the battery has charge. Volvo has received no reports of injuries or accidents related to the issue. Owners can check the NHTSA recalls website for more information and to see if their vehicle is included. They should begin getting notifications from Volvo on August 1.The fix? It’s what we’ve long been told not to do: Replace a fuse with a higher-capacity one. But that’s the remedy in this case, exchanging the 15-amp fuse for a 20-amp part, something that Volvo started doing on the production line at the tail end of 2019.

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    in Motor News

    Polestar 3 Electric SUV Confirmed to Start Production in 2022

    Polestar has confirmed that its next model will be the Polestar 3, an electric SUV.Production will start sometime in 2022 at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina.A teaser photo shows the Polestar 3’s silhouette, and it will ride on a new EV platform.Polestar will further expand its lineup next year with a new model called the Polestar 3. The company describes it as an “aerodynamic performance electric SUV,” which makes us think it will be styled like SUV “coupes” such as the BMW X4 or Mercedes GLC Coupe. It will ride on a new Volvo EV platform, and a teaser photo gives a hint at its silhouette.Notably, the Polestar 3 will be the EV subbrand’s first model to be built in the U.S. Production is scheduled to start sometime in 2022 at Volvo’s new plant in South Carolina, which currently builds the S60 sedan and will soon start building the next-generation XC90 SUV.

    The 3 will follow the Polestar 1, a plug-in-hybrid coupe that recently ended production, and the Polestar 2, an electric hatchback currently on sale that starts at $61,200. Polestar has also said it plans to build a production version of the Precept concept, a larger flagship sedan with advanced driver-assistance features.Look for more information on the Polestar 3 to come later this year. It will likely go on sale in the U.S. in late 2022 as a 2023 model.
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    Listen to the One-Off Bugatti Bolide's Wild Straight-Piped 1850-HP W-16 Engine

    The Bolide is the most extreme Bugatti ever built. A one-off project introduced in October 2020, it’s a lightweight track-only missile on wheels with an 1850-horsepower version of the company’s widely used quad-turbo W-16 engine. In person, it sounds absolutely maniacal.

    The NM2255 YouTube channel got the chance to inspect the Bolide up close during this year’s Milano Monza Motor Show, giving us our first real-life look at the lightweight hypercar. The Bolide’s insane proportions and ultra-aggressive aero are even more pronounced when seen through the lens of a normal camera. And that wild X-shaped taillight configuration is just the coolest. The most interesting part of this video isn’t how the Bolide looks, though. It’s how the car sounds. Because the car doesn’t have to conform to any emissions or sound regulations, Bugatti didn’t bother to put any sort of obstructions or muffling in the exhaust. The result, as you’ve probably guessed, is a very loud vehicle, even at idle. When Bugatti employees go to start the car up, it makes a loud bark, startling onlookers. We can only imagine how it would sound at wide-open throttle on a race track.

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    in Bike

    Okinawa Electric Scooter Prices Reduced By Up To Rs 17,800

    Okinawa Electric ScootersOkinawa is extending full subsidy benefits of 15000 / KWH to its customers following recent amendments in FAME II Policy
    Okinawa Autotech, the makers of the iPraise+, Praise Pro and Ridge+ have reduced the prices of their entire electric two wheeler lineup. The new pricing is in effect from 11th June 2021 and follows the recent amendments made by Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises to the Fame II policy. These latest revision will allow EV makers to compete on a common platform with their ICE counterparts.
    These changes include a subsidy offered to the electric two wheeler makers with demand incentive increased to Rs 15,000 per kWh from an earlier Rs 10,000 per kWh. The Government has also announced that the cap on incentives for electric two wheelers will be at 40 percent of the cost of the vehicle.
    New Okinawa Pricing
    Okinawa has reduced prices of its electric scooter range by Rs.7,200 to Rs.17,800 with effect from 1st June 2021. Following this price reduction, the Okinawa iPraise+ which was earlier priced at Rs.1,17,600 is now Rs.17,892 lower at Rs.99,708. Praise Pro has seen a price reduction of Rs.7,947 from an earlier pricing of Rs.84,795 to Rs.76,848 while the Ridge+ pricing is lowered by Rs.7,209 from Rs.69,000 to Rs.61,791.
    Okinawa Autotech, the first Indian company to get a FAME II subsidy from the Government of India has sold 90,000 units as of May 21 and is positioned in a No.2 spot behind Hero Electric in the electric two wheeler market.

    Okinawa
    Old Price
    New Price
    Diff

    iPraise+
    117,600
    99,708
    17,892

    Praise Pro
    84,795
    76,848
    7,947

    Ridge+
    69,000
    61,791
    7,209

    Okinawa Eco Pro
    Its iPraise+ is its best-selling model which has noted a threefold increase in demand over the past few months. It comes in with IOT enabled Mobile App called ‘Okinawa Eco Pro’ which allows the user to track the scooter, get directions and add emergency contact numbers in the effect of any disaster.
    Okinawa is very bullish about its performance in the year ahead. Despite the fact that the country is being ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, the company recorded revenues to the extent of Rs 155 crores in FY2021 and targets a 300 percent YoY growth to Rs 465 crores in FY22.
    The company is also investing Rs 150 crores into a new facility in Rajasthan, close to its existing plant. The company also has a widespread network of 300+ dealerships in the country targeting buyers in Metros and in the Tier II and Tier III and in rural areas.
    The dealerships are located in Delhi, Bangalore, Noida, Jharkhand and Assam with plans to expand other Indian states. More recently, Okinawa has also entered into partnerships with financial institutions and e-commerce companies like Edelweiss, Credr, Zest Money, Welectric, and Beep Cart with plans to enhance its product portfolio and on-ground footprint. More