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    Two Wheeler Retail Sales March 2021 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, RE, Jawa, BMW

    Hero SplendorEvery major two wheeler maker with the exception of Royal Enfield has reported YoY de-growth in March 21
    Despite March 2020 being an extremely challenging month, a month like no other in either the near or distant past, two wheeler registrations stood strong. The country face the onslaught of the Novel Corona virus and went into shut down and lock down mode by the third week of March 2020.
    Yet when comparing retail sales of major 2 wheeler OEMs, it can be seen that March 2020 registrations were significantly higher than that of March 2021. Total two wheeler registrations had stood at 18,45,837 units in March 2020 which dipped 35.25 percent to 11,95,268 units in March 21. MoM retails however increased 9.53 percent from 10,91,288 units sold in Feb 21.
    Hero MotoCorp Retails Top the List
    Taking into account retail sales of Hero MotoCorp, FADA has reported sales of 3,96,573 units, down 49.71 percent over 7,88,626 units retailed in March 2020. MoM sales however increased 13.13 percent as against 3,50,533 units sold in Feb 21. Hero MotoCorp also noticed its market share increase from 32.12 percent held in Feb 21 to 33.18 percent.
    Honda retails also dipped 20.85 percent in the past month. As per FADA statistics revealed, retail sales stood at 3,13,101 units in the past month, down from 3,95,579 units sold in March 20. MoM retails however increased 5.41 percent as compared to 2,97,029 units sold in Feb 21. Honda market share however, dipped from 27.22 percent held in Feb 21 to 26.20 percent in the past month.
    Two Wheeler Retail Sales March 2021 vs March 2020 (YoY). Source – FADA
    TVS and Bajaj retails also suffered a de-growth of 30.38 percent and 38.41 percent respectively while both the two wheeler majors also noted a fall in market share.
    Royal Enfield Retail Sales Growth
    As per numbers released by FADA, the only two wheeler OEM to report YoY retail sales growth was Royal Enfield. Sales which had stood at 55,905 units in March 2020 increased 7.66 percent to 60,189 units in March 2021. Feb 21 retail sales had stood at 52,713 units, marking a 14.18 percent MoM increase. Market share also increased from 4.83 percent in Feb 21 to 5.04 percent last month.
    Other OEM Retail Sales
    Other OEMs such as Suzuki, Yamaha, Piaggio and Jawa all reported YoY de-growth in terms of retail sales while MoM sales increased for all except for Yamaha that also posed a 0.81 percent de-growth. Yamaha sales which had stood at 44,413 units in Feb 21, dipped marginally to 44,055 units in March 2021, a difference of 358 units MoM.
    Two Wheeler Retail Sales March 2021 vs Feb 2021 (MoM). Source – FADA
    Jawa, BMW Motorrad, Kawasaki, Triumph and Harley along with Ducati also posted lower YoY retail sales though each of these OEMs with the exception of Triumph saw a MoM sales increase.
    Where retail sales of other OEMs and electric scooters were concerned, retail sales in March 21 stood at 10,066 units, up 187.44 percent over 3,502 units sold in March 20 while MoM sales increased 74.97 percent as against 5,753 units retailed in Feb 21.
    Disclaimer: The above numbers do not have figures from AP, MP, LD & TS as they are not yet on Vahan 4. Vehicle Registration Data has been collated as on 07.03.21 in collaboration with Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India and has been gathered from 1,274 out of 1,481 RTOs. More

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    Yamaha MT15 Prices Increased For April 2021 – New Price List

    Yamaha MT15After the latest price revision, Yamaha MT15 is retailed between Rs 1,40,900 and Rs 1,44,900 (both ex-showroom)
    In this period of price revisions in automotive products, Yamaha has already increased prices of two models in its lineup. At the start of a new financial year in April, the Japanese bikemaker increased prices of YZF R15 V3.0 and FZS. However, unlike other OEMs, the hike in prices is comparatively very low by Yamaha.
    MT-15 Revised Prices
    The company has done the same with MT15 which has received a marginal price hike of Rs 1,000 across its lineup. Prices of the naked streetfighter vary according to the different colour options available. It is offered in three colour schemes- Dark Matte Blue, Metallic Blue and Ice Fluo-vermillion along with Customise Your Warrior which lets one choose from multiple paint schemes.
    Yamaha MT 15 April 2021 Price
    Yamaha has been enjoying a decent run in the market with MT-15 as the naked streetfighter managed to rake in 6,176 units for the Japanese bikemaker in February this year. Post this latest revision in prices of MT-15 range from Rs 1,40,900 to Rs 1,44,900 (both prices ex-showroom).
    Powertrain Specs
    The naked motorcycle derives its power from a 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled 4-valve motor that returns an output of 18.4 bhp and 14.1 Nm of peak torque. This unit is coupled with a 6-speed gearbox.
    Yamaha MT15 Customization
    This exact same powertrain is also found on the faired YZF R15 with the same output. However, a shorter drive ratio of the gearbox than the faired superbike thanks to a larger rear sprocket makes the ultra naked street racer a tad quicker while commuting.
    Hardware & Features
    Speaking of its hardware, it is built on the same deltabox frame as R15 that is suspended on telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock unit at rear. However, unlike R15 which gets an aluminium swingarm, the rear swingarm used on MT15 is a steel box-type.
    Stopping duties are handled by disc brakes at both ends assisted by a single-channel ABS. Like R15, the 155cc motor in MT-15 comes with Variable Valve Actuation that allows peak engine performance at higher revs without having to compromise on low- and mid-range grunt.
    In terms of features, it gets a full LED lighting setup with an LED headlight, taillight and DRLs. It is equipped with a fully digital instrument console but with a negative display and also misses out on Mobile as well as Bluetooth connectivity. It rivals the likes of KTM 125 Duke, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar NS160. Recent spy shots suggest that Yamaha is also planning to introduce a naked roadster version in the segment called XSR 150 at some stage. More

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    Royal Enfield Price List April 2021 – 350cc Classic, Bullet, Meteor

    Royal Enfield Classic 350Royal Enfield recently updated its lineup with facelifted models of Himalayan and 650 Twins- Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650
    What seems to be a parallel phenomenon spreading across the automotive industry, Royal Enfield became the latest auto manufacturer to increase prices of its models at the start of a new financial year. The increase in prices varies according to different models and their variants on offer.
    The updated prices will be applicable with immediate effect. This is the second price revision this year after the bikemaker recently hooked prices of all its models earlier in January. Other than the revised price, there are no updates made to the motorcycles at any level.
    Classic, Bullet, Meteor price hike
    Starting with the brand’s best-selling model, Classic 350 is now costlier by up to Rs 5992. Price hike varies according to colour options available.
    The Standard single-channel ABS variant of the retro motorcycle is now priced at Rs 1,72,466 against the last month’s price of Rs 1,67,235. The dual-channel ABS variants are now offered between a price range of Rs 1,80,880 and Rs 1,98,600 (all prices are ex-showroom).
    Royal Enfield Classic 350 Price Hike April 2021
    Royal Enfield Bullet is the longest running motorcycle in production in the whole world. The classic bike has also witnessed a substantial hike in its prices in the range of Rs 7,000 to Rs 13,000 depending on the variant.

    Model
    New Price
    Old Price
    Difference

    Bullet 350
    Rs 1,40,828
    Rs 1,33,446
    Rs 7382

    Bullet 350X KS
    Rs 1,34,347
    Rs 1,27,279
    Rs 7068

    Bullet 350X ES
    Rs 1,55,480
    Rs 1,42,890
    Rs 12590

    Meteor 350
    Rs 1,84,319 – Rs 1,93,679
    Rs 1,78,744 – Rs 1,93,656
    Rs 6000 (approx.)

    Bullet is now retailed at a starting price of Rs 1,40,828 and goes up to Rs 1,55,480. Prior to the latest price revision, Meteor 350 had been offered at a price between Rs 1,78,744 to Rs 1,93,656 and now it will be retailed at a price range of Rs 1,84,319 and Rs 1,93,679 (all prices are ex-showroom).
    Mechanical Specifications
    Both Bullet 350 and Classic 350 are powered by the same 346cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected motor that produces 19.2 bhp and at 5,250rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque at 4,000rpm. This unit is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Both motorcycles also share the same hardware configurations that consist of a single downtube chassis suspended on conventional telescopic forks at front and dual shock absorbers at the rear.
    On the other hand, Meteor 350 has a whole new set of mechanicals that feature a new powertrain and new underpinnings. The cruiser draws its power from a 349cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, long-stroke motor that is paired with a new 5-speed gearbox.
    This unit is capable of generating 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of peak torque. It is built on a new J platform while the suspension setup consists of telescopic forks at front and twin-sided shock absorbers at rear. The same configurations will be present in the new-gen Classic 350 which is likely to make its debut in a couple of months. More

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    Ather Reports Best Quarter Results Ever – Books Profit For First Time

    Image – abhithadi / AtherAther’s current focus is on expanding operations and improving fast charging infrastructure
    One of the early entrants in the electric two-wheeler space, Ather Energy has reported its best ever quarterly performance. Ather has consistently ranked among the top five electric two wheeler manufacturers. In February 2021, Ather was at fourth place with sales of 624 units. YoY growth was 69.11% and market share at 10.30%.
    Ather Q4, FY21 results
    As per info shared by the company’s co-founder and CEO Tarun Mehta, Ather sales have increased by a whopping 250%. This has been made possible with the company’s focus to expand operations across the country.
    Ather has presence in most of the top cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. Several smaller cities have also been covered such as Coimbatore, Hubli, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Nagpur, and Trichy. Ather has plans to launch operations in several other cities this year.
    In other positive developments for Ather in Q4, 2021, the total number of test rides during this period has increased 6X times. Rise in fuel prices is one of the key reasons why more people are now thinking about electric two wheelers. This represents a good opportunity for the company. In Q4, the number of cities covered by Ather has increased from 4 to 10.
    Ather Founder, Tarun reveals the staggering growth performance of their electric scooter
    Ather is also working to increase the number of fast charging stations. This has increased from 79 to 129 in Q4. Readily available fast charging infrastructure takes care of range anxiety and is an important factor that influences acceptability of electric two wheelers. Ather will be adding more of these in the future. In terms of production, Ather has been able to reduce assembly time by 32%.
    Positive margins achieved
    In a first, Ather has been able to register positive margins for the first time. Startups require heavy investments and achieving profitability is often an uphill task. With positive margins, Ather is in a better position to attract new investments, boost production and expand operations to new cities.
    Ather’s primary offering is its 450X electric scooter. It is equipped with an IP 67 rated water and dust resistant 2.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that sends power to a 6kW PMS motor. Torque output is 26 Nm.
    Ather 450X has ride modes of Eco, Ride, Sports and Warp. Max range of 85 km is available in Eco mode. In Ride and Sports, the range is 70 km and 60 km, respectively. Max speed and acceleration is possible in Warp mode, where 0-40 kmph can be achieved in 3.3 seconds. Ather 450X can be charged with any 5A plug point and can load 15 km in just 10 minutes. More

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    2021 Suzuki GSX S1000 Teased – To Come With Updated Aesthetics

    2021 Suzuki GSX S1000 Teaser
    2021 Suzuki GSX S1000 is likely to feature updated styling and equipment along with a more powerful engine
    All litre-class motorcycles have one thing in common, their sole aim of delivering top-notch performance. Out of them, the naked ones are a very rare breed with engines as powerful as their faired counterparts and yet lighter and easier to handle than the latter.
    Suzuki has recently teased the updated iteration of GSX S1000 on its YouTube channel. From the sparse glimpse, we can gauge that the Japanese bikemaker has made some serious updates to the upcoming version of the naked litre-class streetfighter. The GSX S1000 has been on sale since 2015 but hasn’t received any major updates as of yet.
    Updated Design
    2021 GSX S1000 is all set to make its global debut on April 26 and the range of updates will not just be limited to aesthetics but also in the performance department as well. Talking of styling changes, the video shares glimpses of a brand new front fascia thanks to a new aggressive headlight along with a muscular fuel tank.
    The most noticeable aspect was the wings extending from the fuel tank that has been incorporated to enhance the aerodynamic quality of the naked bike. Take a look at the teaser video below.
    [embedded content]
    Since the current iteration has not seen any major upgrades it has started to look a little outdated and a mid-life refresh would surely enhance its overall appeal. Not just aesthetics, the new GSX S1000 made some serious improvements in its functionality as well. The latest iteration of the litre-class naked streetfighter comes with a host of rider-focused electronic aids too.
    Updated Equipment
    These include a bunch of safety-related features such as cornering ABS, anti-wheelie function and lean-sensitive traction control. Chances are that the motorcycle might also come equipped with an autoblipper as well as a quick-shifter.
    The motor is expected to produce more oomph, however, like the new V-Strom 1050 and Hayabusa we must expect a stronger mid-range while the top-end is likely to remain similar. In any case, 2021 GSX S1000 is likely to pump around 200 ponies in its latest avatar.
    Upon its debut, it will sit at the top-end of Suzuki’s flagship lineup including other litre-class motorcycles. When launched, it will take on the likes of Aprilia Tuono V4, Ducati Streetfighter V4, Triumph Speed Triple, BMW S1000R and KTM 1290 Super Duke. GSX S1000 was also available in India for a while and the new iteration of the naked streetfighter is also set to make its India debut at a later stage. More

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    Triumph Trident 660 Launched In India At Rs 6.95 Lakh – 4 Colours

    Triumph Trident is locally assembledFirst unveiled as a concept prototype for the London Design Museum in August of 2020, Triumph Trident 660 has quickly transitioned to its production-spec version
    After officially launching the Bonneville range, Triumph has launched the entry-entry level naked bike- Trident 660 for the Indian market. The naked streetfighter which was recently launched in Malaysia has been priced at INR 6.95 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This is the same price tag which got leaked last month.
    Pre-bookings of the Trident 660 started in November last year at a token amount of Rs 50,000, shortly after it made its India debut. Since then, it has launched in various international markets across the world. The bike will be available as a CKD unit in India. This entry-level Triumph has been designed and developed keeping in mind the younger section of riders.
    Styling & Features
    Starting with its design, the Trident 660 commands a sporty and muscular stance with a neo-classic stance. With this motorcycle, the British automaker has paid tribute to the original Trident of 1968 which kickstarted the era of three-cylinder motors.
    The prominent design highlights include a retro-style round LED headlamp, a curvy dual-tone fuel tank with knee pads, an under-belly exhaust, and a single-piece seat with a sleek and stubby tail section. It can also be fitted with a host of optional accessories.
    Mr. Shoeb Farooq, Business Head, Triumph Motorcycles India
    The new Trident comes with a bunch of rider assist features such as full LED lighting, a single-pod TFT instrument console, smartphone connectivity, ride-by-wire throttle, two riding modes (Road and Rain) and switchable traction control. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped around by Michelin Road 5 tyres.
    Stopping duties are taken care of by dual-disc brakes at front and a single disc at rear and which are powered by Nissin sliding piston calipers while safety net is provided by dual-channel ABS as standard fitment.
    Mechanical Specs
    It is built on a tubular steel perimeter frame which is equipped with an aluminium swing-arm. Suspension duties are handled by Showa 41mm upside-down forks at front and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at rear. As far as performance is concerned, it draws its power from a 660cc liquid-cooled, in-line, 3-cylinder engine which pushes out an impressive 80 bhp at 10,250rpm and 64 Nm of peak torque at 6,250rpm. This unit is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch.
    Trident 660 has been made available in four colour options namely Silver Ice and Diablo Red, Matt Jet Black and Matt Silver Ice, Crystal White and Sapphire Black. Triumph is offering a 2-year unlimited kilometer warranty in addition to attractive finance schemes with a minimum EMI of Rs 9,999. In India, it directly competes against Kawasaki Z650. More

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    TVS Apache 200 Modified Into An ADV – With Parts From Pulsar, Xpulse

    TVS Apache 200 ADV – ModifiedThis TVS Apache RTR 200 4V derives most of its aftermarket components either from Hero Xpulse 200 or Bajaj Pulsar NS200
    TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is one the sportiest commuter bikes currently available in India. It is extremely efficient in daily commutes as well as the occasional twists and curls of a racing track. It is this very versatility of the naked streetfighter which makes it very popular in the aftermarket industry.
    Usually, Apache 200 owners customise their bikes to extract more out of their engine and tweak the suspension a little in order to utilise it as a full-fledged track machine. However, in this latest example, the owner of RTR 200 has taken a different approach and made more tweaks to its design to give it a whole new look.
    A detailed video of all modifications done on the motorcycle has been covered on a video uploaded on YouTube by “Bigbang Biker”. Going by its looks, one can easily gauge that there have been a considerable number of updates on the stock bike. The most significant of them is the suspension setup that has been sourced from Hero Xpulse 200, the most affordable adventure bike in India.
    Updated Suspension, Powertrain Setup
    The stock telescopic forks at front and mono-shock at rear have been replaced by the one available in Xpulse 200 which offer a lot more travel of 190mm and 170mm. This not only helps Apache to travel on rough and undulated paths with ease but also raises the ground clearance of the motorcycle making it suitable for off-road trails. Another major modification is the fuel supply system.
    [embedded content]
    This model of RTR 200 4V is a BS4 iteration hence in its stock form it is equipped with a carburetor. Instead of the stock unit, the owner has replaced it with a Bajaj Pulsar NS200 carb which has been tuned in line with a new K&N air filter. The rider footpegs installed in this modified RTR 200 have been borrowed from Royal Enfield Himalayan whereas the turn indicators and rearview mirrors have been carried forward from KTM Duke.
    TVS Apache 200 ADV Modified
    Updated Cosmetics
    Further, some other changes have been made to the bike’s ergonomics in order to enhance long-distance touring capabilities. This includes a single-piece handlebar that replaces the clip-on units on the stock motorcycle.
    The front fender seems to be an aftermarket unit along with a new tinted screen visor and knuckle guards. Apart from these, it now rolls on dual-purpose tyres and gets a set of auxiliary lights. Other nifty additions to the bike include hazard lights, a mobile holder, a smartphone charger, and various body decals.
    Powertrain Specs
    The current Apache RTR 200 4V draws its power from a 197.75cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve, oil-cooled mill with fuel-injection which pumps out 20.2 bhp at 8,500rpm and a peak torque of 16.8 Nm at 7,500rpm. This unit is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. As per our previous reports, TVS is also planning to launch an adventure motorcycle named Raider in India which is either going to be based on Apache RR 310 or RTR 200 4V. More

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    Ather Electric Scooter Production Capacity To Triple By March 2023

    Ather 450XCurrent capacity of Ather Energy stands at about 9,200 units per month, from its Hosur plant
    Ather Energy, the makers of the 450X and 450 Plus electric scooters, plan to increase their production capacity three fold to 3 lakh units by the end of FY23 (March 2023). Current annual capacity stands at 1.10 lakh scooters and 1.20 lakh battery packs.
    Though the production capacity is at about 9,200 units per month, Ather does not produce that many scooters currently. The company expects to use the current capacity to 100% by 2022. Investment into this plant currently stands at Rs.130 crores. Total investment till date stands at Rs 650 crores.
    More production, More space
    Current production of 1 lakh units capacity is from the factory area of 1.2 lakh sq ft. When they increase the capacity, they will increase the plant area as well. Ather states that the area can be extended to 4 lakh sq ft by the end of FY23, which will help increase production capacity of e-scooters as well as battery packs.
    The increased demand being shown toward the Ather 450X has stirred up enthusiasm to boost capacities. The company currently stands at No.4 in the electric two wheeler segment with a market share of 10.30 percent. Ather 450 Plus is priced at Rs.1,40,514 while the Ather 450X is priced at Rs.1,46,926 in Delhi.
    New Ather EV Plant
    Despite the fact that this price is much higher the price of a petrol powered scooter, sales have seen a significant increase. The higher prices of fuel coupled with several state and central government initiatives have given this sector a boost.
    Ather Experience Centers
    Ather Energy has set up experience and delivery centers in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, Coimbatore, and Kochi, while deliveries are set to commence in Trichy, Mysore, Hubli, and Delhi from later this month. The company targets around 27 delivery centers by the end of this year.
    Ather Energy also offers free charging not only for the Ather 450X but for any electric scooter at their experience centers and public charging stations. Plans are afoot to set up take up the county from a current 130 to 400 charging stations by the end of Dec 21.
    New Athers
    Ather has revealed that they have plans to launch more scooters and motorcycles. Yes, Ather has plans to enter electric motorcycle segment as well. But they have not shared a timeline as to when they will launch their next electric scooters / motorcycles. As of now, they will continue to focus on entering new cities, increasing charging infrastructure and increasing plant capacity.
    Ather 450X Specs
    The 450X gets its power via a 6 W PMS motor along with an IP67 rated 2.9 kWh lithium ion battery pack that makes 25 Nm peak torque. Acceleration from 0 to 40 km/h is achieved in 3.3 seconds while in Wrap mode and top speed is at 80 km/h. Battery charging from 0-80 percent is achieved in 3 hours 35 minutes and can be charged upto 100 percent in 5 hours 45 minutes. The company offers a 3 year warranty on the 450X which includes the battery.
    More recently, the company introduced the 13 OTA update (Atherstack Atom) for the 450X. This offers Bluetooth based music and call feature via the user’s smartphone. This update is via the Ather App and is currently only offered on Android and Google PlayStore while it will be released on Apple App Store for iOS users later this year. More