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      Hero Xpulse 440 Resumes Testing – KTM 390 ADV Rival, Harley X440 Engine?

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      Hero is on the verge of launching an affordable alternative to upcoming Himalayan 450 and 390 Adventure with Xpulse 440Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson joint venture has resulted in a brand new platform that both the brands will deploy with their branding. First vehicle to debut with the newly-developed 440 platform was Harley-Davidson X440. What next? Nightster 440 under Harley-Davidson or Hero’s flagship Xpulse 440? Looks like the probability is stronger with the latter.Hero Xpulse 440 Resumes TestingIndia’s largest 2W manufacturer seems to be on the verge of revamping its premium portfolio. We are seeing test mules of new Xpulse 210 that have similar body and hardware as standard Xpulse 200 but pack Karizma XMR’s new 210cc liquid-cooled engine. Alongside it, Hero’s upcoming Xtreme 210cc street naked was seen testing too.New test mules show a larger Xpulse motorcycle that made its first appearance last year at Khardung La. After that, this vehicle was never spotted testing again, until recently. This time, they’ve been spotted testing in a more urban environment. Particularly, somewhere in Jaipur city. Alongside this new test mule, we can see a KTM 390 Adventure as well, probably for benchmarking.Overall proportions are much larger than current Xpulse 200 4V and match with the test mules spotted last year. When launched, it will take on bigger single-cylinder ADVs like upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure. As of now, there are no real leads to suggest which engine this new Xpulse is packing.Xpulse 440 spotted testing last year at Khardung LaThere are two possibilities – a brand-new 400cc liquid-cooled engine, or the same 440cc oil-cooled engine that debuted with Harley-Davidson. We would wager on the latter as it will prove cost-effective and allow them to undercut rivals by some margin. It will be sold via Hero’s Premia dealerships.Upcoming Hero XPulse 440?As for finer details on componentry, there are wire-spoke wheels, dual-purpose tyres (probably tube-type), an up-swept exhaust that looks a lot chunkier than the one on Xpulse 200 4V, some sort of trellis frame, USD telescopic front forks and rear mono-shock suspension with longer travel.On the recent test mules, rear swingarm looks like it is milled from a single piece of metal, and not a generic box-section unit. There are LED turn indicators and previous test mules showed a squarish fully-digital instrument cluster that may be shared with Karizma XMR.Xpulse 440 spotted testing last year at Khardung LaWhen Hero launched XPulse 200, it primarily rivaled Royal Enfield Himalayan in off-road conditions. Now that Royal Enfield is readying the Himalayan 450, Hero has begun to hone the blades that will clash sometime in 2024 or beyond.XPulse 440 is likely to be lighter in weight and also affordable when compared to upcoming Himalayan 450 and 390 Adventure. If Hero priced it around Rs. 2.5 lakh (ex-sh), it would be an absolute phenom. It would slot above upcoming Xpulse 210 with Karizma XMR engine in Hero’s ADV portfolio.Source More

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      Honda 2W Sales Sep 2023 – Activa, Shine, CB350, Dio, Unicorn, Hornet

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      Honda ActivaHonda Activa and Shine range of scooters and motorcycles accounts for over 80% of the total domestic sales in Sep 2023Despite facing challenges like the global supply chain disruptions and the ongoing pandemic, Honda continues to be a significant player in India’s two-wheeler industry. In September 2023, Honda’s domestic sales reached a total of 4,91,802 units, representing a marginal growth of 0.58% compared to the same period last year when they sold 4,88,950 units.Honda 2W Sales Sep 2023 – Activa TopsWhile the growth may appear modest, it is worth noting that the company has managed to maintain stable sales in a challenging environment. Honda Activa retained its top position as the highest-selling model with 2,35,056 units sold, accounting for 47.79% of the total domestic sales. However, the Activa witnessed a 4.30% decrease in sales compared to September 2022.Honda 2W Sales Sep 2023CB Shine, a favourite among commuter motorcycle enthusiasts, faced a YoY decline of 6.79%. With 1,35,339 units sold in September 2023, it continued to be a significant contributor to Honda’s domestic sales. This dip in sales may be attributed to changing consumer preferences and increased competition in the commuter motorcycle segment.One of the standout performers for Honda in the domestic market was the Dio. This sporty scooter experienced an impressive YoY growth of 29.04%, selling 38,703 units in September 2023. The boost in sales YoY is thanks to the recent addition of the Dio 125cc model to the range.Honda 2W Exports Sep 2023The introduction of the Shine 100 model marked a new addition to Honda’s lineup, and it made a significant impact by selling 26,205 units in its debut month. This demonstrates that Honda’s strategy of diversifying its product range is paying off, as the Shine 100 found a place in the preferences of Indian consumers. On the other hand, the Unicorn faced a steep decline of 29.44% in YoY sales, with 25,514 units sold in September 2023. This suggests that Honda may need to revisit its marketing and product strategies for this particular model to stay competitive in the market.Dream, SP160, Livo, and Hness CB350 have faced varying degrees of decline in sales compared to the previous year. The Dream and Hness CB350, in particular, saw sales decreases of 14.71% and 23.19%, respectively. These results highlight the need for Honda to address evolving consumer demands and preferences in these segments. Hornet 2.0 emerged as the standout performer with a staggering YoY growth of 458.26%, selling 3,852 units. This surge in popularity could be attributed to its sporty design and advanced features, making it a preferred choice for enthusiasts.Honda 2W India – Exports PerformanceHonda’s exports performance also demonstrated positive growth in September 2023. The company exported a total of 34,014 units, marking a 14.78% increase compared to September 2022 when they exported 29,635 units. Navi scooter led the way in exports with 10,337 units, reflecting a 46.04% growth from the previous year.Dio also showed significant growth in the export market with a YoY increase of 210.08%. While the Activa and Dream models contributed to export numbers, the CB Shine experienced a decline in export sales, down 60.93% from the previous year. More

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      New Honda Electric Scooter Concept Debuts – Can Work For India

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      New Honda Electric Scooter Concept. Images – Paul TanAs part of its EV strategy, Honda has plans to introduce a minimum of 10 electric two-wheelers globally by 2025At the ongoing Japan Mobility Show, Honda is showcasing a wide range of products and advanced technologies. A significant percentage of these relate to the world of EVs. The latest unveil is an electric scooter prototype that Honda is calling SC e: Concept.Honda SC e: electric scooter conceptBased on its design, it is apparent that Honda SC e: electric scooter concept is meant for urban commutes. It comes across as a simple everyday use machine and does not have any radical design features. The overall profile is in line with the conventional theme used for scooters. However, there are some unique features such as the full-width LED DRLs.New Honda Electric Scooter ConceptHonda SC e: electric scooter concept gets contrasting blue highlights that enhance its visual appeal. The blue elements can be seen on the front lighting panel, handlebar, floorboard and rear tail section. They indicate the vehicle’s electric character and complement the ivory-white shade used for the scooter. Apart from these aspects, there isn’t anything extraordinary about Honda’s latest electric scooter concept.Ergonomics are pretty relaxed and comfortable. The single piece seat is long and wide, and comes with adequate foam thickness. It should be able to ensure optimal comfort for both rider and pillion. As the battery packs are installed under the seat, the flat floorboard area is accessible to be used for carrying a wide variety of stuff.New Honda Electric Scooter ConceptHowever, with the under-seat battery packs, storage space will be pretty sparse. Probably, just enough to accommodate a helmet or other small stuff. The prototype does not appear to have any storage space at front. However, that could change when the scooter reaches production stage. Front storage is a basic feature available with most commuter-focused scooters.New Honda Electric Scooter ConceptIn terms of tech integrations, Honda SC e: electric scooter concept is expected to get Bluetooth-based connectivity features. A rectangular space can be seen for a digital instrument cluster, although the prototype does not have it installed at the moment. The instrument console will have modest proportions, and won’t be as big as screens used with scooters like Ola S1 Pro, Ather 450X, etc.Honda SC e: electric scooter performanceHonda SC e: electric scooter concept has two swappable batteries. Honda refers to these as Mobile Power Pack. The company has stated that the scooter will have good speed and range. However, the exact numbers have not been revealed. The scooter has the motor mounted on the rear wheel. This is different from other commuter scooters that have hub-mounted motor. Hardware specs include telescopic forks at front and a single shock absorber at rear. Braking duties are performed by disc-drum combo.New Honda Electric Scooter ConceptHonda hasn’t revealed any details about the scooter’s powertrain. However, Honda has stated that the scooter’s performance will be in line with the tenets of clean electric mobility. The scooter will have zero CO2 emissions. It has been designed to provide quiet and comfortable rides to users. The scooter will be part of Honda’s roadmap to become carbon neutral by 2050.Source More

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      Bajaj Sales Breakup September 2023 Domestic, Exports – Pulsar, Dominar, Chetak

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      Bajaj Avenger 220 StreetPulsar is the darling of Bajaj Sales breakup September 2023 charts by consistently registering positive YoY growth across both domestic and export marketsLeading Indian 2W and 3W manufacturer, Bajaj Auto, has registered a strong 3.83% YoY growth where exports are concerned. When compared to 1,18,388 units shipped a year ago with 1,22,920 units shipped in September 2023, Bajaj gained 4,532 units in volume YoY. However, The company has registered a 10.94% YoY decline in domestic market with 1,90,902 units sold last month, as opposed to 2,14,344 units. Volume loss stood at a hefty 23,442 units.Bajaj Sales Breakup September 2023 – Domestic marketThe highest-selling motorcycle lineup for Bajaj in India is still Pulsars. With 1,20,126 units, Pulsar saw 14.40% YoY growth with 15,123 units gained in volume. Pulsars alone account for 62.93% market share for Bajaj in India. In 2nd spot, we have Platina with 48,615 units and 25.47% market share.Sales declined 33.73% YoY as opposed to 73,354 Platinas sold last year, losing 24,739 units in volume. Bajaj’s CT line saw 9,398 buyers last month and sales more than halved with 65.13% decline YoY, losing 17,553 units in volume YoY. Where CT line sales halved, Chetak more than doubled its numbers with 122.75% YoY growth by selling 8,988 units last month.Next in line are Avenger line and Dominar line with 2,424 and 1,351 units sold respectively. Where Avenger saw 2.02% YoY growth, Dominar saw a 48.53% YoY decline. If we breakdown the nameplates with their respective engine displacement classes, we can see that it is the Pulsar range the 125cc engine that is Bajaj’s highest seller clocking 67,256 units.Bajaj Sales Breakup September 2023 – Domestic MarketAscending with displacement number, CT 110 and Platina range below 110cc category saw 6,943 and 48,615 units with 49.59% and 33.73% YoY decline respectively. In 110cc to 125cc engine category, We have CT 125X along with Pulsar 125 and Pulsar NS125 selling 2,455 and 67,246 units with 81.37% YoY decline and 16.17% YoY growth respectively.Pulsar 150, P150 and recently launched N150 account for 25,647 units with 3.27% YoY growth. 160cc and 200cc Pulsars account for 21,647 units with 2.97% YoY growth and 160cc Avenger saw 10.33% YoY growth from 1,848 units sold. Under 250cc, we have Avenger 220 with 576 units, Dominar 250 with 679 units and Pulsar 250 twins with 5,982 units. Only 250 Twins saw YoY growth at 263%. Dominar 400 accounted for 672 units and Chetak for 8,988 units, with the latter registering 122.75% YoY growth.Bajaj Sales Breakup September 2023 – ExportsWhere exports are concerned, Bajaj Boxer leads the charts with 73,204 units shipped with 17.26% YoY growth and 59.55% market share. In 2nd place, we have Pulsars with 22,478 units shipped, 27.61% YoY growth and 22.35% of Bajaj’s total sales. Next in line are CT and Discover line with 10,998 and 6,848 units shipped last month.Bajaj Sales Breakup September 2023 – Export MarketCT saw a 46.04% YoY decline and Discover discovered a 29.02% YoY decline. Platina shipped 2,280 units and saw 2.70% YoY growth. Lastly, we have Dominar range and Avenger range with 1,902 and 210 units shipped respectively. Both fell in the red, registering 32.31% and 42.62% YoY decline. Bajaj didn’t ship any Chetak electric scooters last month.If we break down exports with respect to engine displacement classes, Boxer under 110cc with 60,140 units shipped is Bajaj’s highest export, followed by 160cc to 200cc Pulsars with 13,549 units shipped. Going ascendingly, Bajaj sold 60,140 units of Boxer, 5,142 units of CT, 1,080 units of Discover and 1,512 units of Platina under 110cc engine class. Only Boxer and Platina showed YoY growth at 29.02% and 5% respectively.Within 110cc to 125cc segment, Bajaj shipped 6,120 Boxers, 5,856 CTs, 5,768 Discovers, 768 Platinas and 3,621 Pulsars. Only the Pulsar saw YoY growth at 46.96%. Between 125cc and 150cc engine class, Bajaj shipped 6,944 Boxers and 6,480 Pulsars in September 2023. Both CT and Pulsar saw positive growth with 5.21% and 26.61% YoY growth respectively. Within 160cc to 200cc segment, Pulsars saw 6,480 units shipped with 26.61% YoY growth.Between 200cc and 250cc class, Bajaj shipped 210 Avengers, 1,266 Dominars and 3,828 Pulsars. Except for Avenger, Both Dominar and Pulsar in this class saw 37.01% and 176.19% YoY growth respectively. Lastly, Bajaj shipped 636 units of Dominar 400 last month with 66.28% YoY decline. More

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      Hero MotoCorp Sales Breakup Sep 2023 – Splendor, Vida, Xpulse, Karizma, Passion

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      New Hero KarizmaHero’s top 2 sellers, Splendor and Deluxe account for almost 78% of the total domestic sales in Sep 2023Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers, has reported robust sales figures for its scooters and motorcycles in India for the month of September 2023. The company’s performance indicates steady growth in the domestic market and a substantial boost in exports.Hero MotoCorp Sales Breakup Sep 2023Hero MotoCorp’s domestic sales performance for September 2023 showcases a positive trend, with an overall growth of 2.39% compared to the same month last year. The company sold a total of 5,19,759 units in September 2023, up from 5,07,650 units in September 2022.Hero MotoCorp sales breakup Sep 2023The iconic Hero Splendor continues to be the top performer for the company, with 3,19,692 units sold in September 2023, marking an impressive growth of 9.99% compared to the previous year. This popular model continues to maintain a dominant market share of 61.51%.While the Hero HF Deluxe saw a decrease in sales by 10.13%, with 84,118 units sold, it remains a significant contributor to the company’s overall sales, commanding a 16.18% market share. Passion, Glamour, and Destini 125 models witnessed mixed results, with the Passion showing a marginal growth of 0.34%, Glamour experiencing a decline of 7.02%, and the Destini 125 demonstrating a 2.13% growth.Hero MotoCorp exports breakup Sep 2023On the other hand, the Pleasure, Xtreme 160/200, Xpulse 200 and Maestro posted varying degrees of decline in sales. The most notable decline was seen in the Maestro and Xpulse 200 models, with drops of 92.77% and 52.82%, respectively. Newly launched Xoom and Vida scooters are slowly reporting an increase in sales while the new Karizma 210 is expected to add a sales boost in coming months.Hero MotoCorp Exports Performance Sep 2023Hero MotoCorp’s exports also exhibited strong growth in September 2023. The company exported a total of 16,709 units, marking a significant 35.96% increase compared to September 2022. Hero Maestro led the export segment with 3,945 units, showing remarkable growth of 557.50% year-on-year. The Hunk and Xpulse 200 followed closely behind, with 72.73% and 86.10% growth, respectively.However, the HF Deluxe, Glamour, Splendor, Passion, Pleasure, and Destini models witnessed varying degrees of decline in exports, indicating that Hero MotoCorp’s international market performance is influenced by specific models and regions.Hero MotoCorp’s sales performance in September 2023 reflects a positive overall trend in the domestic market and a substantial boost in exports. The continued popularity of the Hero Splendor and growth in the export segment contribute to the company’s resilience in a competitive two-wheeler market. Despite challenges posed by changing consumer preferences and market dynamics, Hero MotoCorp remains a dominant player in the Indian and global two-wheeler industry, with a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. More

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      TVS Sales Breakup Sep 2023 – Apache, Raider, Jupiter, XL100, Ntorq, Ronin

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      TVS RoninTVS Motor Company has reported robust sales performance for their scooters and motorcycles in September 2023In the domestic market, TVS registered a total of 3,00,493 unit sales in September 2023, reflecting a remarkable growth of 5.85% compared to the same month in the previous year. The standout performers in the domestic portfolio were:TVS Sales Breakup Sep 2023 – Domestic MarketTVS Jupiter continued its dominance with 83,130 units sold in September 2023, a marginal increase of 0.89% over the same period in 2022. The scooter maintained its position as the highest-selling model in the TVS lineup, with a market share of 27.66%.TVS Sales Breakup Sep 2023TVS Raider made a significant impact by selling 48,753 units, marking a remarkable growth of 123.99% compared to September 2022. This tremendous surge in sales propelled Raider to the second position in the domestic chart, capturing a 16.22% market share. TVS iQube, the electric scooter, continued its impressive run, with sales surging to 20,276 units, an astounding 311.86% YoY growth. iQube secured a 6.75% market share, reflecting the growing interest in electric mobility.On the international front, TVS Motor Company showcased a strong presence, with export sales totaling 84,950 units in September 2023. This represents a notable 10.92% increase compared to the same month last year. The top-performing exports for TVS included:TVS Exports Breakup Sep 2023TVS Exports Breakup Sep 2023TVS Star City 125 led the export segment with 36,988 units sold, demonstrating a robust 26.86% growth year-on-year and a commanding 43.54% market share. Star City also contributed significantly to exports, with 16,466 units sold, a growth of 29.95% YoY and a 19.38% market share.Ntorq exhibited impressive export figures by selling 6,506 units, reflecting a remarkable 125.59% YoY growth and a 7.66% market share. The company’s continuous expansion in international markets and the introduction of electric scooters played a pivotal role in the export growth.The September 2023 sales data for TVS scooters and motorcycles clearly demonstrates the company’s ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences. With the resurgence of Raider, the steady performance of Jupiter, and the impressive growth of electric offerings like iQube, TVS Motor Company is well-positioned to maintain its competitive edge in the Indian two-wheeler market.Furthermore, their strong presence in international markets, exemplified by the impressive export figures, reaffirms their commitment to global expansion and diversification. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, TVS remains a key player, offering a wide range of options to meet the varying needs of consumers both in India and abroad. More

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      Triumph 400 Launched In Japan – Price 699k Yen to 789k Yen (Rs 3.87 L – 4.38 L)

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      Triumph 400X Scrambler launched in JapanApart from Japan, Triumph will be introducing Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X in various other overseas marketsWith a competitive price point that no one could guess, Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X have gotten off to a good start. After getting everyone’s attention in the domestic market, Triumph is actively pursuing opportunities across international locations. As part of that plan, Triumph’s 400cc duo have made their debut in Japan.Triumph Speed 400, Scrambler 400X prices in JapanBookings for Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X are currently open in Japan at authorized dealerships. Official launch and deliveries are expected to commence in January 2024. There doesn’t appear to be any major changes to the bikes that will be exported. However, there’s a significant difference in the pricing of these bikes in Japan.Triumph Speed 400 launched in JapanTriumph Speed 400 is available at a starting price of 699,000 yen. This is approximately Rs 3.87 lakh. In comparison, Speed 400 is available in India at a starting price of Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-sh). Even if one considers on-road price, it comes around Rs 2.70 lakh to Rs 2.80 lakh. In some states, on-road prices could be higher. But even then, Speed 400 turns out to be a lot cheaper in India. Pricing in India is likely to have been kept low to ensure improved competencies against segment leader Royal Enfield.Triumph Scrambler 400X is available at a starting price of 789,000 yen in Japan. This is approximately Rs 4.38 lakh. In India, the bike is available at a starting price of Rs 2.63 lakh. On-road price of Scrambler 400X is around Rs 3.13 lakh (Delhi).OEMs usually introduce certain changes to suit local tastes and preferences. For example, colour options are usually different. But that hasn’t been the case with Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X launched in Japan. The colour options are the same as available in India. Speed 400 is offered in colour options of Carnival Red / Phantom Black, Caspian Blue / Storm Grey and Phantom Black / Storm Grey. Options of Scrambler 400X include Matt Khaki Green / Fusion White, Carnival Red / Phantom Black and Phantom Black / Silver Ice.Hardware specifications appear to be the same as well in most parts. Both bikes have a 398cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, single cylinder engine. It generates 40 PS of max power and 38 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Among the two, Scrambler 400X (2,115 mm) is longer than Speed 400 (2,055 mm). Wheelbase is also longer at 1,420 mm, in comparison to 1,375 mm of Speed 400. Scrambler 400X weighs 180 kg, as compared to 171 kg of Speed 400.Multiple export markets on the radarTriumph will be aggressively pursuing export opportunities across the globe. Launch in Japan is just the beginning. The markets to be covered include Triumph’s home market United Kingdom. Other destinations include North America, South America and Southeast Asian markets. Initial aim is to export around 20,000 to 30,000 units per annum.Triumph is also working to expand its dealer network in India. It plans to cover 100 cities by end of this year. To cater to the increased demand, Triumph will be ramping up production of Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. As of now, production capacity is 5,000 – 7,000 units per month. By end of this fiscal, production will be increased to 10,000 units per month. More

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      Cheaper Gogoro GX250 Homologated – 112km Range, 1.6kWh Battery

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      Image for reference onlyThe 1.6126 kWh Li-ion battery in Gogoro GX250 is likely to be a swappable one that promises a range of 112 km on a single chargeWith the revision in FAME II subsidy scheme, there is a paradigm shift in electric scooters. OEMs now prefer smaller battery options to pose a lower base price, acting as an entry portal into the brand’s EV portfolio. Ola and Ather have done this. Now, it seems to be the turn of Taiwanese brand Gogoro to follow this trend.Cheaper Gogoro GX250 HomologatedAs of now, Gogoro’s Indian portfolio consists of two advertised vehicles under Smart Vehicles – SuperSport and 2 Series. However, the vehicles listing shows Gogoro Delight, SuperSport, Viva and S1 vehicles as well. Earlier this year, Gogoro 2 Plus was homologated too.All of these are powerful electric scooters with 7kW+ power and the rest of the specs are pretty high-end too. Gogoro seems to working on a new vehicle that could potentially be the most affordable electric scooter in the company’s lineup.Named Gogoro GX250, this has lower-tier specifications and is likely to strike a much lower price point than others. This new vehicle was recently homologated and homologation documents reveal some key specs.Gogoro GX250 homologatedFor starters, Gogoro GX250 is a L1 category vehicle and a battery-operated one at that. As per Vahan website, L1 category vehicle is a motorcycle with a maximum speed under 45 km/h and engine capacity below 50cc or motor power not exceeding 0.5kW (whichever is applicable).Despite being certified as an L1 category vehicle, Gogoro has type approved GX250 for up to 2.471 kW peak power at 24 km/h. Also, 2.29 kW max 30 minute power at 54.8 km/h. This motor is manufactured by FIEM and the battery is from Gogoro.Speaking of battery, it is a 37.2 Ah Li-ion battery with 1.6126 kWh of total capacity. From this battery, Gogoro promises a range of 112 km on a single charge, as per AIS040 (Rev 1).What to expect?The battery weighs a total of 10.3 kg and is likely to be a removable design, given the brand’s whole appeal. Dimensionally, Gogoro GX250 has a 1425 mm long wheelbase, 650 mm width, 1980 mm length and 1165 mm height.It has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 272 kg and can hold a total of 2 persons. Gogoro GX250 is likely to be a low speed electric scooter capped at 25 km/h top speed. This may very well be a city commuter that could benefit from Gogoro’s battery swapping infrastructure.Pricing might be around Rs. 60,000 mark (ex-sh) and the launch will probably happen some time in 2024. Rivals include other low speed electric scooter promising similar attributes. More