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    Ola Electric Scooter Charging Network Expansion Starts

    Ola Electric Scooter Charging NetworkEasy availability of charging stations will be crucial in nudging people to shift to electric
    After commencing delivery of its scooters earlier this month, Ola Electric has started working on expansion of its charging network. When fully completed, it will be a dense network comprising more than 100,000 charging points. It will be the largest of its kind 2-wheeler charging network in the country. There are plans to cover 400 cities across the country.
    Ola Electric Scooter Charging Network – 4k points by 2022
    The first set of charging stations are expected to become operational in the next 6-8 weeks. By end of next year, Ola Electric has set a target of 4,000 charging stations. In the initial phase, much of these charging stations will be installed at Bharat Petroleum fuel stations and residential complexes.
    The choice of location of charging stations seems perfect, as it will play a key role in motivating people to make the switch to electric. As of now, there’s significant resistance to electric two-wheelers. One key reason is range anxiety, as people are not sure about easy availability of charging stations. When people see Ola charging stations at fuel pumps and residential complexes, it will give them more confidence to switch to electric.
    In future, Ola charging stations could be made available at other public places, offices and commercial centres. Ola also has plans to setup Hypercharger towers that can accommodate several EVs simultaneously. These are likely to come up at specific business districts and city centres.
    Ola Electric Scooter Charging Network
    Free charging for 6 months
    To make it more attractive for existing users and potential customers, Ola is offering free charging at its charging points till June 2022. This will create significant savings for Ola electric scooter users. It will also motivate Ola scooter users to use the hypercharger network instead of charging their scooter at home.
    A key benefit available with using Ola’s hypercharger network is that it has fast charging. On S1, 75 km can be loaded in just around 18 minutes. In comparison, achieving the same with a home charger will take much more time. Ola scooters have a portable home charger that can be easily plugged into any standard 5 Amp socket.
    Ola Electric currently offers the S1 and S1 Pro electric scooters. While Ola S1 ARAI range is at 121 km on full charge, S1 Pro has range of 181 km. The latter has a dual-battery setup. S1 Pro has higher top speed of 115 kmph, as compared to 90 kmph of S1. It also has faster acceleration with 0-40 kmph achieved in 3 seconds. S1 takes 3.6 seconds. S1 is offered with ride modes of Normal and Sport whereas S1 Pro has an additional Hyper mode.
    Prices start at Rs 99,999 and Rs 1,29,999, respectively. Prices may vary based on the level of subsidy offered by respective state governments. Ola scooters are currently the cheapest in states like Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Maharastra. Ola is offering attractive finance plans in partnership with banks and NBFCs to make ownership a lot easier for users. More

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    Electric Two Wheeler Sales 2021 Jan To Nov – Hero, Ather, Revolt, Okinawa, Ampere

    Bajaj Chetak Electric ScooterHero Electric, Okinawa Autotech and Ather Energy lead the segment while there are several newcomers entering the fray
    The two wheeler segment in India has been posting de-growth over the past several months. Rising fuel prices, increasing input costs and an otherwise challenged economic situation both among rural and urban buyers have taken their toll on petrol scooter sales. The same cannot be said about the electric two wheeler segment that has been seeing sales increase by leaps and bounds over the past several months.
    Taking the first 11 months of this calendar year into account, electric two wheeler sales have increased 355 percent YoY. Sales which had stood at 25,598 units in the same period of 2020 surpassed the 1,00,000-unit mark for the first time. A look at the attached table shows that sales of electric two wheelers have had a steady growth over the January to November 2021 period, except for the months of May and June when the second wave of the pandemic struck.
    Total sales which had stood at 4,885 units in January 2021 increased to 6,001 units in February and there on to 10,360 units in March 2021. Activity picked up again in this segment in July 2021 with 13,122 units sold  to 21,112 units in October 2021 while sales reached a peak at 1,16,669 units in November 2021.
    Hero Electric, Okinawa and Ather
    Three top players in this segment are Hero Electric, Okinawa and Ather Energy. Hero Electric has sold a total of 40,319 units during the past calendar year with Flash, Optima, Photon, NYX and Dash leading the sales graph. This was approximately 400 percent growth over 8,111 units sold in the calendar year of 2020.
    Electric Scooter Sales Jan-Nov 2021
    Hero Electric, which currently commands a 34.56 percent market share, now targets 1 million unit sales in the next 5 years while expansion of product portfolio and increase in sales outlets is also on the cards. Hero AE-47 electric motorcycle is also planned for launch in the coming year expected to be priced between Rs 1.3-1.5 lakh. The company has also entered into an alliance with Charzer, a Bangalore-based EV charging start-up, with plans to set up 1,00,000 charging stations in a year.
    At No. 2 was Okinawa Autotech with sales of 23,899 units in the Jan-Nov 2021 period. The company has also noted a steady increase in demand over the past 11 months to 5,421 units sold in November 2021 commanding a market share of 20.48 percent. Okinawa offers a range of low-speed and high-speed electric scooters that are priced from Rs 61,998 to Rs 82,995 for low-speed models among which are Okinawa R30, Lite and Dual. The high speed models are priced from Rs 64,797 to Rs 105,990 for the Ridge+, Praise Pro and iPraise+. Plans are to invest around Rs 200-250 crore on a new plant in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan with a target to achieve 100 percent localization by the end of FY2022.
    Ather Energy, another leading electric two wheeler maker in India has seen total sales of 14,152 units in calendar year 2021. Commanding a market share of 12.13 percent, the Bengaluru based e-scooter manufacturer has only two models on offer in India that include the Ather 450X and 450 Plus. Sales in September, October and November 2021 surpassed the 2,000 unit mark with a steady MoM increase. The company recently commissioned another plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, even as its first plant, opened early this year, is running at full capacity.
    Pure EV, Ampere, TVS
    Electric two wheeler makers, Pure EV, Ampere and TVS Motors followed in quick succession. Pure EV (9,363 units) and Ampere (9,155 units) have been posting steady growth over the past 11 months. TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak have only been offered for sale in a few cities across the country.
    Lower down the order, there are several newcomers to this segment that have also seen increasing sales over the past few months. This pace is set to increase with the Government of India offering several subsidies in the form of FAME II, while state governments are also extending various schemes and subsidies to draw the attention of buyers to this clean, green segment. 
    However, it may still be pointed out that the electric two wheeler segment is still in its nascent stage. In Chinese markets, electric two wheelers account for 97 percent of the world’s e-scooter fleet while in India it makes up for less than 1 percent of total sales. With increased emphasis on charging infrastructure, established e-vehicle makers along with several startups are expecting this to change dramatically with more emphasis on e-mobility.
    EV makers in India show their optimism on the growth of this segment in the coming few years. Naveen Munjal, Managing Director of Hero Electric expects EV sales to reach the 30 million mark by 2030 while Tarun Mehta, CEO of Ather Energy states that 40 percent of petrol powered scooter sales can be converted to electric scooters by 2025.
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    One Moto Electa Electric Scooter Launch Price Rs 2 L – 150 Kms Range

    One Moto Byka and Electa electric scooters at 2021 EV Expo IndiaOne Moto has showcased three new electric scooters at the 2021 EV Expo India – These are Electa, Byka and Commuta
    Electric mobility has witnessed a great boom in the last few months with multiple new launches, especially in the two-wheeler segment. One of the latest brands to join the EV bandwagon is One Moto which set foot in India earlier in November this year.
    With only a month in the Indian market, the British EV manufacturer has unveiled three new electric scooters in the country. One Moto has launched a new high-speed electric scooter named Electa at a price of Rs 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It will be available in a single variant.
    One Moto Electa Electric Scooter
    The design of Electa is a throwback to the scooters of the 1970s and 80s since it flaunts a classic retro styling. The electric scooter is reminiscent of old Vespa models of the 20th century which features similar styling elements such as a circular headlamp and taillamp, a thin and curvaceous front apron and a chunky front fender. Rear end of the scooter looks bulbous like a Vespa classic thanks to the flared rear fenders.
    A healthy dose of chrome has been used in the front apron, floorboard, rearview mirrors, headlamp bezel and rear luggage rack that bring out the electric scooter’s premium appeal. The single-piece seat is flat and looks spacious enough for the rider and pillion. Ergonomics of the scooter is very relaxed with an ample amount of space in the flat footboard.
    One Moto Electa Electric Scooter
    Features & Specs
    Despite its simple retro design, the scooter is packed with quite a few modern gizmos which somewhat justify its exorbitant price tag. These include all-LED lighting and a semi-digital instrument console which is laced with One App that offers functionalities such as geofencing, Bluetooth connectivity, IoT, maintenance alerts, riding behaviour, etc.
    One Moto Electa Electric Scooter Specs
    Coming to its specification, Electa is powered by a 4kW (5.36 bhp) QS brushless DC hub motor that draws energy from a 72V 45Ah detachable lithium-ion battery. This powertrain returns a range of 150 kms on a single charge and the scooter can attain a top speed of 100 kmph. The battery takes 4 hours to get fully rejuvenated. Interestingly, the Electa comes with a removable battery pack for more convenient charging.
    Other Details
    At 115 kilos, Electa is fairly nimble for an electric scooter and has a load-carrying capacity of 150kg. One Moto is also providing 3 years warranty on the motor, controller and battery. As far as colour options are concerned, Electa can be had in as many as five paint schemes- Matte Black, Shiny Black, Blue, Red and Grey. In India, Electa will rival the likes of Ola S1, S1 Pro, Ather 450X and Bajaj Chetak.
    Both online and offline bookings for the electric scooter have already commenced. One Moto currently has a total of 75 dealerships across India and it aims to expand exponentially by the end of this financial year. More

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    TVS Sales, Exports Breakup Nov 2021 – Apache, Raider, Jupiter, Ntorq, XL100

    Image – Auto EraTVS sold a total of 2,56,444 units in domestic and global markets last month as against 3,11,007 units in Nov 2020
    TVS Motor Company has noted a de-growth in domestic sales while exports grew last month. Sales in the domestic market stood at 1,75,940 units, down 29 percent over 2,47,789 units sold in Nov 2020. Exports on the other hand surged to 80,504 units, up 27.34 percent YoY over 63,218 units shipped in November 2020.
    TVS Sales Breakup Nov 2021
    It was TVS Jupiter that posted the most sales with 44,139 units sold last month, down 29.52 percent over 62,626 units sold in November 2020. Jupiter currently holds a 25.09 percent share along with the recently launched Jupiter 125. In other news, the company has increased prices of Jupiter 110 scooter by Rs 600.
    TVS XL100 moped was at No. 2 with sales of 42,558 units last month, down 39.85 percent over 70,750 units sold in November 2020 with a share of 24.19 percent. At No. 3 was TVS Apache motorcycle range, with a 31.16 percent YoY degrowth to 28,608 units, down from 41,557 units sold in November 2020. More recently, TVS Motor Company announced a price hike for Apache RTR 160 4V which has been increased by Rs 1,500 across its Drum and Disc variants. They also launched a new limited edition Apache 165 RP.
    TVS Ntorq sales also dipped YoY by 33.91 percent to 19,157 units, down from 28,987 units sold in November 2020. TVS Raider, launched in India in September 2021 added 10,040 units to total sales in the past month. In domestic markets, every model in the company lineup suffered a de-growth except for iQube and RR310.
    TVS Sales Breakup Nov 2021
    TVS Sport and Radeon saw sales dip 28.10 percent and 26.95 percent respectively while sales of Star City and Pep+ also dipped YoY by 26.47 percent and 44.59 percent respectively. Even as the company noted a YoY de-growth in the case of the Zest by 27.75 percent, sales of the iQube increased by 606.06 percent to 699 units, up from just 99 units sold in November 2020.
    TVS Exports Breakup Nov 2021
    TVS Motor Company saw better exports on a YoY basis. Most of the models in the company lineup saw increased demand in global markets except for the XL, Radeon and RR310 which posted de-growth. Star City 125 saw the most demand, up 48.92 percent to 29,567 units in the past month, from 19,854 units shipped in November 2020.
    Star City also  posted a 10.78 percent YoY growth to 27,318 units while Apache exports increased 20.95 percent to 11,025 units, up from 9,115 units sold in November 2020. TVS Sport and Ntorq also saw a YoY growth of 26.02 percent and 16.94 percent respectively.
    TVS Exports Breakup Nov 2021
    TVS Victor and Wego exports increased 20 percent and 167.39 percent respectively. Jupiter was another model in the company lineup that posted an 816.67 percent YoY growth to 110 units, up from just 12 units shipped in November 2020. XL (186 units), Radeon (80 units) and  RR310 (47 units) suffered de-growth. More

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    New Bajaj EV Plant Work Starts At The Site Of Iconic Chetak Scooter

    Bajaj Chetak ScooterEVs set to rollout by June 2022 for India and exports from new Bajaj Auto Electric Vehicle manufacturing unit at Akurdi (Pune)
    Bajaj Auto has announced a new ‘Electric Vehicle’ manufacturing unit at Akurdi (Pune). EVs are set to roll out by June 2022, and will cater to the domestic market, and exports. This entails an investment of Rs 300 Cr (USD 40 Mn) to build manufacturing capacity for 5,00,000 EVs per annum. The site is the same used as the original Chetak  scooter factory.
    Work at the Akurdi EV plant has now commenced, and in time, this site will generate incremental employment for 800 people. Bajaj will launch new electric scooters, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles in the future. These are expected to be built at this new plant. Next year, Bajaj will launch Chetak based Husqvarna electric scooter (spied in Pune recently). Post that, Husqvarna electric motorcycle e-pilen is also planned for launch.
    New Bajaj EV Plant
    Being co-located with Bajaj Auto’s Akurdi R&D centre ensures greater collaboration. The complete EV range solution ties together as a hub for design, development and manufacturing. For Bajaj, Chetak as a brand was the backbone of the manufacturer’s success for years to an end.
    As such, it came as no surprise that when an electric scooter was readied for launch, the Chetak moniker was re-introduced. The name breeds familiarity, and lives on as a great identifier in the blueprint for future mobility solutions.
    Rajiv Bajaj and Senior Management of Bajaj Auto at the new plant site
    Akurdi EV manufacturing plant is spread over half a million sq. ft. In addition to investments made by Bajaj Auto, vendors will invest an additional Rs 250 Cr (USD 33 Mn). Akurdi EV unit functionality is enhanced through robotic and automated manufacturing systems for all processes.
    This includes logistics and material handling, fabrication and painting, assembly and quality assurance. Systems are built to cater to a flexible product mix on the basis of maximum process efficiency. Systems take into account best worker ergonomics.
    EV mobility and solutions
    Bajaj has a unique business model that works wonders for the manufacturer. The company doesn’t sell scooters except Chetak electric scooter, which is a fairly recent launch. Its motorcycle market prowess sees exports at par with domestic market sales. And these ever-growing numbers are helped further with a small mix of CVs (auto rickshaws/tuktuks).
    Rajiv Bajaj – Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd. said, “In 2001 Bajaj 2.0 took off on the roaring Pulsar, in 2021 Bajaj 3.0 arrived on the charming Chetak. Going forward, for the Bajaj portfolio, except for implementing one state-of-the-art ICE platform that is currently under development, all our R&D resources are now laser focused on creating EV solutions for the future.
    This alignment reflects our belief that light Electric Vehicles for sustainable urban mobility is an idea whose time may finally have come. Thus, this investment at Akurdi completes the virtuous cycle of hi-tech R&D competencies, high-efficiency engineering capabilities, world class supply chain synergies, and global distribution network which should leapfrog us into a market leading position in EVs in India and overseas.” More

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    Yamaha XSR 155 Limited Edition Custom Built Sold Out In A Few Hours

    Yamaha XSR 155 Limited Edition
    Yamaha Thailand has teamed up with Zeus Customs to create a neo-retro cafe racer version of XSR 155
    Yamaha XSR 155 is already a very desirable motorcycle thanks to its neo-retro design and one heck of an engine underneath. However, a custom based on the same has taken its visual appeal to another level. First displayed at the recently concluded Thailand Motor Expo, the custom-built XSR 155 garnered a lot of attention.
    The motorcycle has been built by Yamaha Thailand in association with Zeus Customs who has developed the custom kit which has transformed XSR 155 into a cool retro café racer. Only 100 units of this limited edition model went on sale and all of them were sold in a matter of hours.
    XSR 155 Cafe Racer- Design Updates
    The bike witnesses plenty of changes on its skin, one of the most prominent updates includes addition of a clip-on handlebar which is typical of a cafe racer. Other notable updates include retro side panels, a custom dual-tone seat with a ribbed pattern, chopped front and rear fenders and a slightly revised headlamp cluster. The motorcycle’s aesthetic appeals are further accentuated by custom body decals.
    This custom XSR 155 has been wrapped around a matte grey paint job with the internals and running gear dipped in black paint which offers a sporty dual-tone theme. Front brake hose has been shortened to lower the handlebar height and accommodate a numbered series production plate on the upper triple clamp. The side-on upswept exhaust muffler also appears to be an aftermarket unit.
    Yamaha XSR 155 Limited Edition
    Providing the custom XSR 155 a more prominent on-road appearance is a large blacked-out engine bash plate. Finally, the muscular fuel tank dons a Zeus Customs badge which lends the bike a distinct identity. Apart from the updated design and a few ergonomic changes, almost everything else has remained intact.
    Hardware, Powertrain Specs
    Speaking of dynamics, the customised XSR 155 rolls on 17-inch front and rear alloy wheels which are suspended by conventional telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock at rear. Braking duties are carried out by single hydraulic discs at both front and rear aided by a single-channel ABS as standard.
    Powering this modified XSR 155 is a familiar 155cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled VVT motor which also powers other models such as Yamaha R15 and MT-15. This motor kicks out 19bhp of power and 14.7 Nm of peak torque and is paired with a 5-speed gearbox via a slipper and assist clutch.
    Price
    Yamaha Thailand has priced this custom XSR 155 cafe racer THB 91,500 (approx INR 2.05 lakh). XSR 155 is unlikely to reach Indian shores anytime soon. The closest replica Indian consumers have experienced is FZ-X which is a retro-style commuter based on the FZ range of motorcycles and launched earlier this year. More

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    New Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 Red Colour – Production Spec

    Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 – Production SpecRoyal Enfield Scram 411 is expected to be slightly affordable than the current Himalayan when launched
    Among the next big launches from Royal Enfield, Scram 411 holds huge significance. Essentially a road-biased version of the current Himalayan, Scram is expected to be slightly more modest in its approach as far as adventure touring is concerned.
    Test mules of the upcoming bike have been spotted testing on multiple occasions in recent times. The scrambler has been spotted yet again in a production avatar just ahead of its launch. Latest spy shots are credit to Dr Firoz Khan.
    Even though it will carry forward the same underpinnings from Himalayan, it will be more directed towards customers who wish to travel long distances on tarmac. The latest spy shots further highlight variations between Himalayan and Scram.
    Himalayan Scram 411 Red – Updated Styling
    While the current Himalayan offers a distinct presence on roads, the upcoming Scram 411 is rather subdued. Scram misses out on a few styling attributes which provide Himalayan the ADV appeal. For starters, Scram doesn’t feature a windscreen upfront and the signature exoskeleton which gives its ADV sibling an overall rugged appearance.
    Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 – Production Spec
    Ergonomics of Scram also appear to be slightly different than that of Himalayan with a slightly repositioned handlebar. Similarly, the tail section also seems to be redesigned with respect to the positioning of the taillamp and rear turn indicators. Other styling highlights include revised front and rear mudguards, a side-on upswept exhaust canister, a single-piece seat, fork gaiters, single-piece grab rail and a round headlamp.
    The motorcycle rides on 19-inch wire-spoked wheels on both ends instead of a larger 21-inch front unit in Himalayan. We expect the wheels to be wrapped around by block pattern, dual-purpose tyres so that the bike is able to carry out some amount of soft roading. A rear luggage carrier will most likely be offered as an accessory to augment its touring capabilities.
    Powertrain, Hardware Specs
    Scram 411 will be powered by the same 411cc single-cylinder air-cooled SOHC engine that propels Himalayan. However, earlier reports have mentioned that this motor could be equipped with a liquid cooler in Scram 411. In its current air-cooled avatar, this engine makes 24.3 bhp at 6,500rpm and 32 Nm of peak torque at 4000-4500rpm. This motor will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
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    Suspension setup of the motorcycle will comprise conventional telescopic forks upfront and a mono-shock at rear. However, the setup will be tweaked for slightly more road-friendly mannerisms. Braking will be carried out by disc brakes at both ends which would probably be aided by dual-channel ABS. Another feature expected to be on offer is the Tripper Navigation pod on the instrument console.
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    Bajaj Sales Breakup Nov 2021 – Pulsar, Dominar, Avenger, Platina, CT100, Chetak

    Image – An Moto ExpoBajaj Auto Limited found its exports well in excess of domestic sales in November 2021, though both posted a YoY de-growth
    Bajaj was among the leading 5 two wheeler makers, Hero, Bajaj, Honda, TVS and Royal Enfield, who all reported double digit de-growth. The company has posted a YoY de-growth across both domestic sales and exports which had stood at a total of 3,28,476 units. Further breaking up this, domestic sales were at 1,40,909 units while exports stood at 1,87,561 units.
    Bajaj Sales Breakup Nov 2021
    Bajaj domestic sales dipped 22.62 percent YoY to 1,40,909 units, down from 1,82,093 units sold in November 2020. It was the Pulsar and Platina range that headed the list and the only two models that posted sales above the 50,000 unit mark.
    Pulsar sales stood at 61,913 units last month, down 40.98 percent over 1,04,904 units sold in November 2020. In this range, it was the Pulsar 125 and 150 that contributed most with 42,311 units and 13,084 units sold respectively. Pulsar 200 and 250 were down to 5,874 units and 644 units respectively.
    Bajaj saw increased demand for its Platina range. Sales increased 45.88 percent YoY to 60,646 units in the past month, up from 41,572 units sold in November 2020. Bajaj CT sales dipped 54.57 percent YoY to 13,196 units, down 54.57 percent over 29,046 units sold in November 2020 while Avenger sales also fell 42.31 percent to 2,663 units.
    Bajaj Sales Breakup Nov 2021
    Increased sales were seen in the case of the Bajaj Dominar at 1,980 units last month, up 17.09 percent over 1,691 units sold in November 2020. Dominar 250 claimed a maximum percent of these sales at 1,440 units last month while Dominar 400 had 540 units sold last month. Chetak sales increased 93.56 percent to 511 units, up from 264 units sold in November 2020.
    Bajaj Exports Breakup Nov 2021
    Exports of Bajaj Auto dipped but marginally in Nov 2021. Shipments of 1,92,244 units of Nov 2020 dipped 2.44 percent to 1,87,561 units in the past month. Boxer was most in demand commanding a 66.71 percent share with 1,25,128 units shipped last month, down 0.13 percent over 1,2,286 units shipped in November 2020. Boxer 110cc was most favoured with 1,09,016 units followed by Boxer 150cc of which 12,656 units were shipped last month.
    At No. 2 was Pulsar with sales of 23,850 units, down 26.71 percent over 32,540 units shipped in November 2020. It was Pulsar 150cc that commanded most attention in global markets with 10,632 units of this variant being exported while of Pulsar 200cc 10,632 units were shipped.
    Bajaj Exports Breakup Nov 2021
    Even as CT100 (20,224 units) and Platina (4,485 units) posted increased demand in global markets, Bajaj Discover sales dipped 10.32 percent to 10,448 units, down from 12,792 units sold in November 2020. Dominar exports also suffered a de-growth with 33.85 percent lower sales last month at 2,838 units, down from 4,290 units shipped in November 2020. Avenger sales increased 206.25 percent to 588 units last month, up from 192 units exported in November 2020. More