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    Honda CB350 Sales Triple In Nov 2020 – But Nowhere Near RE Classic

    Image – Sunil Bhat
    The Honda H’ness is currently being sold exclusively through BigWing premium outlets in select cities

    The 350 cc niche has long been Royal Enfield’s forte and there have been several attempts by rivals to break the monopoly, but none was successful. The likes of Bajaj attempted to lure the prospective customers with modern and more powerful alternatives but in vain.
    Jawa Motorcycles imitated RE’s recipe and enjoyed a promising start but Classic Legends dropped the ball with poor execution. Most recent attack on RE territory comes from Honda in the form on H’ness CB350. Will it make an impact?
    Honda CB350 November 2020 sales
    The Honda CB350 retro classic roadster seems to have the right blend to take on Royal Enfield’s 350 cc range of products. Last month, the new arrival clocked sales of 4,067 units, a MoM increase of 215%. This indicates that the CB350 has been having a strong start and HMSI has ramped up its production to meet the demand.
    The sales number doesn’t mean anything against RE but it is impressive anyway given the motorcycle is retailed only through Honda’s BigWing premium bike outlets of which there aren’t many to mount a proper assault on the incumbent. In case Honda were to make the CB350 available through their entire two wheeler network, sales would hugely increase.
    Honda CB350 vs Royal Enfield 350 – Nov 2020 Sales
    In comparison, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, also a new arrival, managed to reach a tally of 7,031 units in November 2020. The good old Classic 350 which is approaching the end of its life cycle found 39,391 units last month, underscoring the company’s sheer dominance of this niche yet lucrative segment.
    As things stand now, the attractively priced CB350 will be used as an entry card into the brand’s premium bike ownership experience. The planned expansion of BigWing outlets in tier-II cities is expected to bring incremental volumes. Honda is also developing a 250 cc version as revealed by recent patent leaks.
    Honda CB350 at a glance
    The Honda H’ness CB350 is powered by a single-cylinder 348 cc engine which is tuned to deliver 21 hp and 30 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox by means of an assist and slipper clutch. Just like the RE 350 family, the latest Honda is meant for relaxed and comfortable commutes and occasional touring.
    The equipment highlights include an LED headlamp and taillight, digi-analog instrument console, smartphone voice control system, front and rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS, side stand indicator with engine cut-off, alloy wheels, Honda Selectable Torque Control and so on. If Honda CB350 continues its strong growth rate, it will become a spot of bother for Royal Enfield at some point in the not-so-distant future. More

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    Royal Enfield Meteor 350 First Month Sales 7,031 Units – Becomes 2nd Best RE

    Royal Enfield Meteor 350
    Royal Enfield Meteor 350 was launched on 6th Nov 2020 – Sales started on same day

    Launched after a long wait, the new Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has met with a grand success in its first month of operations. From registering over 8k bookings in just 2 weeks of launch, to recording sales of 7,031 units in Nov 2020 – Meteor 350 has now become the 2nd best selling Royal Enfield motorcycle, beating the likes of Bullet and Electra.
    Meteor 350 has proved to be an instant successful product for the Chennai based bikemaker. Designed from the ground up by the company’s R&D Center in India along with inputs from Leicestershire in the UK, the Meteor 350 is set to appeal to young motorcycling enthusiasts with its retro styling.
    RE 350cc Motorcycle Sales Nov 2020
    In the 350cc segment of motorcycle, Royal Enfield offers Classic, Meteor, Bullet and Electra. Unlike the other 3, Meteor is based on an all new platform and powered by an all new engine. Positioned on a new ‘J’ platform, the Meteor 350cc is powered by a BS6 349cc, single cylinder, SOHC engine that offers 20.2 hp power at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm torque at 4,000 rpm. It receives an electronic fuel injection system and gets mated to a 5 speed gearbox.
    Other RE 350cc motorcycles are expected to get the new platform as well as the new engine next year. For Nov 2020, these 4 motorcycles managed to register sales of 56,425 units.
    Royal Enfield 350cc Motorcycle Sales – Nov 2020
    With the arrival of Meteor 350, sales of Royal Enfield’s 350cc segment had registered an increase. Though, this seems to have come at the cost of Bullet 350 sales. For Nov 2020, Bullet sales declined by almost 50%. Royal Enfield is facing supply chain issues, which has probably resulted in a bottleneck, as far as production is concerned.
    Total sales of RE’s 350cc motorcycles stood at 56,425 units in Nov 2020, which is 7.5% growth when compared to Nov 2019 sales of 52,494 units. Classic 350 remained the leader with lion’s share of ver 70%, while Meteor and Bullet had about 12% share each.
    No
    RE 350cc M’Cycle
    Nov-20
    Nov-19
    1
    Classic 350 (+10%)
    39,391
    35,951
    2
    Meteor 350
    7,031
    0
    3
    Bullet 350 (-50%)
    6,513
    12,902
    4
    Electra 350 (-4%)
    3,490
    3,641

    Total (+8%)
    56,425
    52,494
    Meteor 350 Design and Engine Specs
    The Meteor 350 is offered in three variants of Fireball, Stellar and Supernova. Pricing starts off at Rs.1.75 lakhs for the base Fireball variant going up to Rs.1.81 lakhs for the Stellar and Rs.1.90 lakhs for the Supernova. Each of these variants gets their distinctive colour options and features to set them apart.
    Design elements include alloy wheels, circular LED headlamp and tail lamp, tear drop shaped fuel tank and a large front windshield. An ergonomically designed seat, forward positioned foot pegs and high set, swept back handlebars relate to a comfortable riding position. Colour options as per variants include Fireball Yellow, Fireball Red, Stellar Red Metallic, Stellar Blue Metallic, Supernova Brown and Supernova Blue and an exclusive Stellar Black Matte. More

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    Top 10 Two Wheeler Sales Nov 2020 – Splendor Beats Activa, Pulsar No 4

    Hero Splendor
    Top 10 two-wheeler wholesales for November 2020 in the green at 15 percent growth

    Top order two-wheeler sales for November 2020 saw sales growth of 15 percent on the wholesale front. Total units sold is reported at 11,27,261 units, up from 9,78,634 units.
    Weeks of inactivity seen at the turn of the current FY though not rectified yet, there’s been some positives in festive season sales this year. This has been attributed to a number of factors, including low base sales of 2019, and pent-up demand. The latter is evident with manufacturers having reported sales improvement.
    Wholesales in November 2020
    Living under Covid-19 pandemic limitations, and the constant grip it has on one’s life and livelihood has prompted many to consider safe personal commute options. It comes as no surprise that two-wheelers can be that safe mode of transport.
    In keeping with expectations, Hero Splendor continues to be the to-selling motorcycle for last month. Sales grew 11.25 percent, up at 2,48,398 units from 2,23,289 units. Among the 10 top-selling list, Splendor claims 22.04 percent market share at volume gain of 25,109 units.
    Top 10 Two Wheeler Wholesales Nov 2020
    Honda Activa sales are a close second at 20.03 percent share in the list. Sales trailed barely at 2,25,822 units at 6.44 percent gain, up from 2,12,164 units at volume gain of 13,658 units. Hero HF Deluxe sales grew 12.46 percent at 15.92 percent share. Units sales is reported at 1,79,426 units, up 19,882 units from 1,59,544 units.
    Bajaj Pulsar series sales crossed a lakh units at 1,04,904 units at 53.66 percent growth. Volume gain stands at 36,636 units, up from 68,268 units for a share at just under 10 percent. Honda CB Shine continues to be the manufacturer’s bestselling motorcycle. Sales grew 25.64 percent, up at 94,413 units from 75,144 units. Volume grew at 19,269 units for a share of 8.38 percent.
    No
    Top 10 Two Wheelers
    Nov-20
    Nov-19
    1
    Hero Splendor (+11%)
    2,48,398
    2,23,289
    2
    Honda Activa (+6%)
    2,25,822
    2,12,164
    3
    Hero HF Deluxe (+12%)
    1,79,426
    1,59,544
    4
    Bajaj Pulsar (+54%)
    1,04,904
    68,268
    5
    Honda CB Shine (+26%)
    94,413
    75,144
    6
    TVS XL (+23%)
    70,750
    57,550
    7
    TVS Jupiter (+53%)
    62,626
    41,007
    8
    Hero Passion (+36%)
    53,768
    39,525
    9
    Suzuki Access (-7%)
    45,582
    49,128
    10
    Bajaj Platina (-22%)
    41,572
    53,015

    Total (+15%)
    11,27,261
    9,78,634
    2020 December deals and offers
    TVS XL continues its successful ride as the sole moped sold here. Sales growth of 22.94 percent saw volume grow at 70,750 units, up from 57,550 units. That’s 13,200 units more sold last month when compared to a year earlier. TVS Jupiter sales growth has been even better at volume gain of 21,619 units. Sales grew 52.72 percent, up at 62,626 units from 41,007 units. Hero Passion sales crossed 50k units at 53,768 units. Sales growth is reported at 36.04 percent, up from 39,525 units. Volume improved by 14,243 units.
    While 8 of 10 to-sellers reported gain, the next two entrants reported decline. Suzuki Access scooter sales fell by 7.22 percent. Sales is down to 45,582 percent from 49,128 units at volume loss of 3,546 units. Bajaj Platina sales decline is reported at 21.58 percent. Sales fell to 41,572 units, down from 53,015 at volume contraction of 11,443 units.
    As 2021 approaches, MY21 vehicles will be a tad bit pricier. For the fortnight that counts down to the new year, manufacturers have curated a range of December deals. Taking advantage of price benefits depend on stock availability at individual dealerships. More

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    2021 Honda CBR250RR Debuts With New Colours – Gets Minor Updates

    2021 Honda CBR250RR
    Honda CBR250RR is not likely to make its way to India anytime soon

    Honda has introduced the latest avatar of its entry-level faired sports bike CBR250RR in Malaysia. The bike has been priced at MYR 25,999 which roughly translates to INR 4.73 lakh. It is available in two colour options Winning Red and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic.
    Powertrain Specs
    The faired speedster from the Japanese auto giant is powered by a two-cylinder, 249.7cc which returns a staggering output of 40.23 hp at 13,000 rpm and 25 Nm of torque at 11,000 rpm.
    This unit is a liquid-cooled unit which features a DOHC setup and 8 valves and is paired to a six-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch and transmits power to the ground via chain final drive.
    Design & Features on offer
    In terms of its design, it is identical to the Indonesian-spec model which is already on sale. The primary attractions are dual-LED headlights upfront which lends an extremely aggressive and sporty look to the faired monster. Along with the LED headlights, the LED DRL units complement the front look and provide a premium look to the bike.
    2021 Honda CBR250RR
    2021 Honda CBR250RR’s faring makes it look bigger than usual. The gold plated front forks accentuates CBR250RR’s sporty appeal. It gets a sculpted fuel tank which makes it easier for riders to grip the motorcycle with their thighs plus also enhances its aerodynamic part of the bike as well.
    As far as features are concerned, it is offered with several advanced gizmos such as a Quickshifter, Throttle-by-wire technology and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) technology. Throttle-by-wire also means that this bike gets multiple riding modes namely- Sport, Sport + and Comfort. The Japanese brand has also provided the motorcycle with a very intuitive and new fully-digital instrument cluster.

    Hardware and Dimensions
    Suspension duties at front are handled by upside-down USD front forks while at rear it is held up by a five-step preload adjustable mono-shock. Anchorage duties are taken care of by dual-piston callipers at front and a single-piston calliper at rear which are assisted with a dual-channel ABS. the bike rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels warped around by tyres of 110/70 and 140/70 profile at front and rear respectively.
    Speaking of its dimensions, the new 2021 Honda CBR250RR offers a wheelbase of 1,389 mm along with a ground clearance of 145mm. It tips the weighing scales at 168 kg and can carry fuel up to 14.5-litres. The motorbike gets a rather low saddle height at 780mm which makes it comfortable for shorter as well as taller riders.
    2021 Honda CBR250RR
    The new Honda CBR250RR directly locks horns with new Yamaha R25 which has been priced at MYR 19,998 (INR 3.64 lakh). Although the Yamaha is much more affordable than Honda, it does have limitations in its power output and also misses out on ABS. Yamaha R25 is powered by a twin-cylinder mill which returns an output of 35.5 bhp at 12,000 rpm and 22.6 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm.
    2021 Honda CBR250RR More

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    Seat MO Electric Aims To Rival 125cc Scooter – Price €6,250 (Rs 5.65 L)

    Seat MO Electric Scooter
    Seat’s MO range of electric scooter range now consists of three offerings- eKickScooter65, eKickScooter25 and eScooter 125

    Seat MO has officially launched its latest electric scooter offering MO eScooter 125 in Europe. Seat is traditionally a car brand, which falls under the umbrella of Volkswagen Group with its headquarter located in Barcelona, Spain. But they have also tied up with electric two wheeler makers called Silence, for production of electric scooters and solo ride EVs.
    Under this, they have now launched an all new scooter called MO 125, which aims to rival 125 cc petrol powered scooters. The scooter went into series production on December 15 this year.
    Seat MO Electric Scooter is being manufactured in Sant Boi de Llobregat outside Barcelona in a partnership with EV manufacturer Silence. Earlier in August this year, the scooter was launched specifically for ride-sharing applications and now it has been opened for retail in the Spanish market as a personal mobility option.
    Launch Price
    By the end of March 2021, this scooter will further reach more European markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Sweden. At present, the scooter is available across 18 Seat dealerships across Spain. The scooter is essentially a rebadged Silence S01. Following the expansion, it will launch in Portugal in the second half of 2021. In Spain, the electric scooter has been priced at €6,250 (equivalent to INR 5.65 lakh).
    Seat MO Electric Scooter
    Design & Features
    MO electric scooter 125 has been marketed as a worthy alternative to petrol-powered 125cc conventional scooters. Moreover, it follows a similar design language and shape found in conventional IC engine scooters. It also features distinctive styling elements such as a round headlamp mounted on front apron, a long windscreen and an asymmetrical instrument console.
    The front fairing also receives air scoops on both sides. Its battery-pack has been smartly positioned so that the underneath storage space can accommodate two helmets.
    Seat MO Electric Scooter
    The company says that it will be offering the e-scooter with its own smartphone connected app, which could provide crucial data on the scooter’s position and ride stats. It also gets 2 USB phone charging points. MO eScooter 125 has been made available in three colour schemes- Oxygen White, Daring Red and Aluminum Grey.
    Powertrain Specs & Performance
    Coming to its powertrain, MO eScooter 125 is powered by a hub-mounted 9 kW electric motor which can return a continuous output of 7 kW / 9.4 bhp. This motor is paired to a large 5.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which could be removed and can be charged via a home power socket. It receives a torque of 240 NM on its wheels which is more than ample for city-based commutes. It can clock a top speed of 95 kmph.
    It can do a 0-50 kmph sprint in just 3.9 seconds. The e-scooter is offered with three driving modes- City, Sport and Eco and an integrated reverse gear for easy maneuverability. In Eco mode, the company claims a single-charge range of 137 km. Since the battery pack is removable, the company will also provide an option to swap them in future. This is the third electric scooter in the Catalan-based carmaker’s portfolio after eKickScooter65 and eKickScooter25. More

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    Jawa Perak, 42 And Classic Prices To Be Increased From 1st Jan 2021

    Jawa motorcycles
    Jawa, Forty Two and Perak will undergo a price hike in view of rising input costs and commodity prices

    As is generally noted at the start of each year, January 2021 will also see hike in prices of cars and two wheelers. Hero MotoCorp has announced a price hike by around Rs.1,500 from 1st January 2021 while Kia, Hyundai, Maruti and Mahindra have also made similar announcements. OEMs generally introduce price hike between 1-3 percent, but this year the hike is expected to be higher as the automakers decide to pass on higher input costs to the consumer.
    Mahindra-owned news website Car and Bike has announced in an exclusive report that Mahindra’s subsidiary, Classic Legends Private Limited will be hiking prices for the Jawa motorcycles from January 2021; though the quantum of price hike is yet to be announced.
    The price hike will span the Jawa, Jawa Forty Two and the Perak as the company also cites rising input costs and commodity prices as reasons for this price hike, a portion of which will now be passed on to the consumer.
    Quantum of Price Hike
    The quantum of price hike across the Jawa range has not yet been revealed. As on date Classic Legends sells the Jawa at Rs.1.73-1.83 lakhs, the Jawa Forty Two at from Rs.1.60-1.74 lakhs and the top of the line Jawa Perak at Rs.1.94 lakhs. Apart from the price hike, these bikes will not see any modifications either in design or in engine specifications.
    Image – Jawa
    The Jawa and Jawa Forty Two get powered by a BS6 compliant 292 cc, single cylinder, 4 stroke DOHC engine offering 26.51 hp power and 27.05 Nm torque mated to a 6 speed gearbox. The third motorcycle model under the Jawa brand name, Perak which is the most affordable, made-in-India factory custom bobber, gets a 334cc, single cylinder, 4 stroke engine making 30.64 hp power and 32.74 Nm torque mated to a 6 speed gearbox.
    Rising Cost of Ownership
    Over the past year, it has also been noted that there is a distinct increase in cost of ownership of automobiles. Higher insurance premiums, BS6 upgrades and a higher trajectory in fuel prices have all put an increased burden on the consumer.
    Jawa has noted sales to the extent of 50,000 units during the April 2019 to November 2020 period. This also includes the lockdown period till around July 2020. The company announced this milestone achievement in 24 months of full operation which excluded the suspension of operations during the months of March to July 2020 when the company had zero inventory.
    This growing demand has caused the company to increase both production capacities and dealership count across the country with a target to register sales of the next 50,000 in less than a year. In the recent months, it is the Perak which has been the best selling Jawa motorcycle.
    Source More

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    Hero Xtreme 160R, Xpulse 200 Dec 2020 Offer For Rs 4,000

    Hero Xtreme 160R
    For those looking to buy a bike from Hero MotoCorp, there’s an offer on Xtreme 200S, Xtreme 160R, Xpulse 200

    Aiming to boost sales, Hero MotoCorp has launched a special offer worth Rs 4k on its fully faired Xtreme 200S motorcycle, Xtreme 160R, and Xpulse 200. As may be recalled, Xtreme 200S was launched in its BS6 avatar in November at Rs 1.16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The original variant made its debut last year and at that time, it was priced at Rs 98,500.
    Xtreme 200S, Xtreme 160R, Xpulse 200 exchange / loyalty benefit
    Customers buying Hero Xtreme 200S and 160R, and Xpulse 200 can save up to Rs 4k with this new offer. It is applicable for both new customers as well as existing users of a Hero motorcycle. Hero Xtreme 200S is already a competitively priced motorcycle and with the 4k offer, it has become even more attractive to potential buyers. Its primary rival is Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, which is available at a starting price of Rs 1.52 lakh.
    In its price range, Hero Xtreme 200S also competes with TVS Apache RTR 200 4V that is available at a starting price of Rs 1.25 lakh. Another contender is Honda Hornet 2.0, which is available at a starting price of Rs 1.26 lakh. It was launched earlier this year in August.
    Cash discount and loyalty bonus for December 2020
    Current deals include Rs 2,100 cash discount on Hero Glamour. One can also choose from a loyalty and exchange bonus of Rs 2,100 on Hero Destini 125, Maestro 125, Maestro 110 Passion Pro and Super Splendor. With Hero MotoCorp offering a wide range of two wheelers, offers have been especially curated for a number of its motorcycles and scooters so a wide group of buyers can benefit.
    Hero discounts Dec 2020
    What’s new in Hero Xtreme 200S BS6
    BS6 Hero Xtreme 200S is priced around Rs 17k more than the BS4 model. One key reason for this price hike is the new oil-cooled engine. The earlier BS4 engine was an air-cooled unit. The new 4-stroke, single cylinder OHC engine is capable of delivering 18 hp of max power at 8500 rpm and 16.45 Nm of max torque at 6500 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox and equipped with multi-plate, wet type clutch assembly.
    The engine is powered by xSens tech that comprises a total of 14 sensors. These work together to ensure optimal power and performance as per riding conditions. The engine is also equipped with a cooling feature that reduces engine heating and prolongs its life.
    Xtreme 200S utilizes a diamond type frame integrated with telescopic front forks and rectangular swingarm with mono shock suspension at the rear. Both front and rear wheels have disc brakes integrated with ABS.
    Although the bike retains its core design, it gets some new features such as twin LED headlamps. It has sleek, aerodynamic fairing, fully digital instrument console and sporty exhaust. Colour options include Sports Red, Panther Black and Pearl Silver White.
    A first-in-category feature is smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. Once connected with the user’s smartphone and after entering the destination details, the navigation directions are displayed on the instrument console. Users also get alerts for incoming calls. More

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    Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter Sales Cross 800 Units In 3 Months

    Image – swift lifestyle
    April to November 2020 sales of the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter stood at 1,122 units

    The Bajaj Chetak electric scooter has been seeing steady sales particularly over the last three months. Launched in India in January 2020, just two months prior to the lockdown being announced in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bajaj Chetak managed to reach a tally of over 1000+ units at the end of October 2020.
    In the past three months, sales have been consistent over 250+ units. Sales which had started off at 21 units in January and 100 units and 91 units in February and March respectively dipped to 0 units in the three months that followed only to pick up again in July 2020 with 10 units sold.
    The three months of September-November have brought in better sales for the Bajaj Chetak above the 250 unit mark. September sales were at 288 units while October and November sales stood at 254 and 264 units respectively.
    Bajaj Chetak Vs TVS iQube Sales
    Its sole competitor in the electric scooter segment is the TVS iQube. While sales of the Chetak stood at a tally of 810 units in the Sept-Nov period, iQube sales have been at only 138 units while not even managing to cross the 100 unit mark each month. The Bajaj Chetak and the TVS iQube are the only two electric scooters on sale in India by mainstream manufacturers. However, why does one do so much better than the other is a reason for analysis.
    Month
    Bajaj Chetak
    TVS iQube
    Sep
    288
    7
    Oct
    258
    32
    Nov
    264
    99
    Total
    810
    138
    For starters, the Bajaj Chetak is on sale via 5 dealerships in Pune and 13 in Bengaluru. The TVS iQube is only retailed through 10 dealerships in Bengaluru. This being the case, the Chetak has a higher reach while its retro styling has also found better acceptability by buyers in the country.
    Specs
    Bajaj Chetak electric scooter, under the Bajaj Urbanite brand is offered in two variants, Urbane and Premium and priced at Rs.1 lakh and Rs.1.15 lakh respectively. It gets old school styling borrowing inspiration from the Vespa scooter. Features include LED lights at the front and rear, alloy wheels, keyless ignition, a fully digital instrument console and smartphone connectivity.
    This feature uses Internet Of Things to alert the owner in the event of any sort of tampering to the scooter or if it has not been properly charged. The owner can also check scooter location, change status and balance range with this feature.
    Bajaj Chetak electric is powered by a 3 kWh, IP67 rated battery pack offering 4kW power and 3.8 kW continuous power along with 16 Nm torque. It is offered in two ride modes of Sport and Eco with range of 95 km in Eco and 85 km in Sport. Battery charging can be done from 0 to 100 percent in 5 hours via a conventional 5A power socket. Fast charging is not on offer.
    Bajaj also offers a 3 year or 50,000 km warranty with the Chetak which also includes the battery. Battery life is claimed at 70,000 kms with service interval set at 12,000 kms or 1 year. More