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      Hero MotoCorp 3 Pronged EV Approach – Maestro Electric Scooter, Hero Hatch, Ather

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      Hero Maestro Electric Scooter. Credit – 91 Wheels
      Hero MotoCorp currently has adopted a three-pronged approach in its development of electric vehicles

      Hero MotoCorp recently clocked 100 million production units thus becoming the first Indian two-wheeler manufacturer to hit this momentous figure. It also laid down the roadmap for the next five years in which the company would launch 10 two-wheelers every year.
      The company under its vision ‘Be the Future of Mobility’ will be developing new scooters and bikes which will also include the ones running on batteries. The first electric two-wheeler likely to come out of the Hero MotoCorp’s facility is eMaestro which is an electrified version of Maestro Edge.
      Hero MotoCorp’s Future EV projects
      Moving forward, Hero MotoCorp will focus on premium segments and products. In an interaction with a leading newspaper, Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD and CEO, Hero MotoCorp shared details of the company’s vision towards electric vehicles. He said that the bikemaker has “a three-pronged approach” in the EV segment. First, it has its own projects under development at the company’s R&D centre in Jaipur (CIT).
      Second, there is the company’s internal startup called Hero Hatch which presented Hero Quark 1, a prototype electric rickshaw. Finally, there is the Bengaluru-based EV startup Ather Energy in which Hero MotoCorp has invested generously. In a conversation with the same publication last year, Munjal had confirmed that the company will also be developing electric motorcycles.
      Hero Quark 1 electric concept. Image – ET Auto
      Out the company’s own premises, the first electric two-wheeler to come out is likely to be eMaestro based on its IC engine counterpart Maestro Edge. A prototype of the e-scooter made its first public appearance at the Hero World 2020 event. From a distant view, eMaestro looks very similar to the regular Maestro Edge. However, on a closer look, one can notice subtle cosmetic differences.
      Styling & Expected Features
      For example, it gets a smoked LED headlamp along with its front suspension forks, alloy wheels and engine casing finished in copper brown. As of now, Hero has been tight-lipped about the specifications of the e-scooter’s powertrains although it is expected to use a belt-driven motor. It is also expected to offer three ride modes including drive, park and reverse which could be selected from the left side of the handlebar.
      The prototype also showcased a fully digital instrument cluster which is expected to be carried over to the production model as well. Features such as keyless start/stop and internet connectivity are likely to be included. Its powertrain setup is likely to feature a Lithium-ion battery paired with a powerful permanent magnet motor.
      It is expected to be launched by the end of this year and will compete against the likes of Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, Ather 450X and the upcoming Ola electric scooter.
      SOURCE More

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      Bajaj Pulsar Sales, Exports Dec 2020 – 125, 150, 180F, 220F, NS160, NS200, RS200

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      Image – Firoz
      The Bajaj Pulsar brand of commuter bikes has seen increased demand both in domestic and export markets in the past month

      Bajaj Auto Limited reported total sales of 1,28,642 units in December 2020, up from 1,24,125 units sold in Dec 19. This was a 3.6 percent growth even as the company reported a 0.42 percent decline in market share from 11.82 percent to 11.41 percent. The two wheeler maker finished fourth in the lineup among best-selling two wheelers manufacturers in the country behind Hero, Honda and TVS.
      Bajaj Pulsar Brand
      The Bajaj Pulsar brand consists of 7 models in a price range of Rs.71,616 for the Pulsar 125, going up to the most expensive Pulsar RS200 sports bike available at Rs.1,52,179. The entire range offers high value for money, both in terms of performance and maintenance and is hence considered an important brand for Bajaj Auto. Their stand in terms of sales in December 2020 can be seen from the attached table.
      Pulsar sales in domestic markets in Dec 20 increased 48.08 percent to 75,421 units as against 50,931 units sold in Dec 19. MoM sales however, dipped 28.10 percent as compared to 1,04,904 units sold in Nov 20. Every model in the Pulsar lineup noted MoM de-growth.
      The Pulsar 125 was the most sold model in the Pulsar lineup with a YoY growth of 183.03 percent to 42,686 units in Dec 20. Even as sales of the Pulsar 150 dipped 25.47 percent to 19,958 units, sales of the Pulsar 160,180 and 200 increased to 8,279 units, up 58.51 percent as compared to 5,223 units sold in Dec 19.
      Bajaj Pulsar Domestic Sales Dec 2020
      The Pulsar 220F also noted a surge in sales to 4,498 units sold in the past month. For the 2021 model year, the company has introduced several updates on the 220F with an updated instrument cluster giving better and clearer readouts. The new Pulsar 220F is priced at Rs.1.25 lakhs and competes against the 2021 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V.
      Bajaj Pulsar Exports
      Every model in the Bajaj Pulsar lineup noted increased exports both in terms of YoY and MoM except for the Pulsar 125 which saw a 21.74 percent de-growth in Dec 20 over exports in Nov 20.
      Commanding the export list were the Pulsar 160, 180 and 200, with 42.27 percent market share and growth in terms of exports by 16.98 percent YoY. Total shipments to global markets stood at 15,573 units, up from 13,312 units shipped in Dec 19. MoM exports increased 9.68 percent as compared to 14,198 units exported in Nov 20.
      Bajaj Pulsar Exports Dec 2020
      Pulsar 150, 125 and 220F all noted increased YoY exports with exports of the Pulsar 150 noting a 100 percent increase from 7,008 units exported in Dec 19 to 14,043 units shipped in the past month. MoM exports were equally promising except for the Pulsar 125 which noted a 212.74 percent de-growth in Dec 20 to 4,555 units over 5,820 units exported in Nov 20.
      Earlier this month, Bajaj Auto increased prices across the Pulsar range. This was following the previous price hike that happened less than a month ago. Almost the entire Pulsar range except for the Pulsar 125 (drum variant) and RS 200 have seen a surge in prices. The price hike varies between Rs. 1,000 and a little over Rs. 2,000. However, Bajaj reduced price of Pulsar 125 Neon by Rs. 506 for an earlier Rs.72,122 to Rs 71,616. More

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      Royal Enfield Sales, Exports Break Up Dec 2020 – Classic, Meteor, 650 Twins

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      New Royal Enfield Classic
      Royal Enfield reports 35 percent increase in domestic sales and 82 percent high exports in the past month

      Royal Enfield has revealed their sales figures for December 2020. In the past month, Royal Enfield recorded its highest sales figure of the year. The company sales stood at a total of 68,995 units including 63,580 units of the Meteor 350 and Classic 350 and 5,415 units of the 650cc twins.
      It may be seen from the accompanying tables that there was positive growth both in terms of domestic sales and exports. In domestic markets, sales stood at 65,492 units in December 2020, a growth of 35 percent over sales of 48,489 units in December 2019. The bike-maker also registered an 82 percent increase in exports which stood at 3,503 units in the past month, up from 1,927 units in December 2019.
      Domestic sales commanded by 350cc models
      Royal Enfield has noted outstanding demand for its bikes in the 350 cc segment. The Classic 350, Bullet 350, newly launched Meteor 350 and the Electra 350 commanded its domestic sales list. The 650 Twins and the Himalayan also added a small portion to sales figures.
      Sales of the Classic 350 increased 35.03 percent to 39,321 units in the past month, up from 29,121 units sold in Dec 19. The new Meteor 350, launched in India in November 2020, has seen sales of 3,569 units in Dec 20 while Electra 350 sales surged 34.45 percent to 4,878 units, up from 3,628 units sold in Dec 19.
      Royal Enfield Domestic Sales Breakup Analysis Dec 2020
      Royal Enfield MoM sales were up 10.35 percent as against 59,084 units sold in Nov 20. MoM sales of the Classic 350 dipped marginally as did sales of the Himalayan while sales of the Bullet 350, Electra 350 and that of the 650 Twins ended on a more positive note.
      Royal Enfield Exports Dec 2020
      The Royal Enfield Himalayan was the most exported model in the company lineup and this model noted an increase both in terms of YoY and MoM exports. Exports of the Himalayan in Dec 2020 rose exponentially by 260.30 percent to 1,207 units, up from 335 units exported in Dec 19. MoM exports increased by 20.22 percent as compared to 1,004 units exported in Nov 20.
      The 650 Twins and Classic 500 also noted increased exports in Dec 20, up 55.34 percent and 75.41 percent respectively in YoY basis while MoM exports dipped not only where these two models were concerned but also in the case of the Meteor 350 and Electra 350.
      Royal Enfield Exports Breakup Analysis Dec 2020
      Royal Enfield 2021 Plans
      Royal Enfield has a series of upcoming launches in the months ahead. These launches were originally planned for the past year but the pandemic situation had delayed plans. Later this year will see launch of the 650 Twins with alloy wheels.
      Ahead of that, they will launch facelifted Royal Enfield Himalayan with new colour options and a Tripper Navigation System. Royal Enfield is also set to introduce new gen Classic 350 and an Interceptor 650 based, smaller, premium Interceptor 350/Hunter, could also be introduced this year. A new cruiser 650, Classic / Meteor 650 is also in the making. More

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      Jawa Forty Two With Black Engine, Black Alloys Spied – New Accessories

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      Jawa Forty Two Black Edition
      Jawa Forty-Two competes against the likes of Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda H’Ness CB350 and Benelli Imperiale

      Classic Legends have been actively testing its retro-styled classic motorcycle Forty-Two ahead of its launch. The new set of images show the entry-level Jawa with a new pair of blacked-out alloy wheels instead of conventional wire-spoke wheels. Another set of images with a similar setup has surfaced on the internet.
      The latest spy shots have been clicked by automotive enthusiast Sai somewhere near Pune. These new wheels might be wrapped around by tubeless tyres as they are easier to repair in case of a puncture. The changes are not only limited to the wheels only.
      Jawa Forty Two Black Edition
      Cosmetic Updates
      As evident from the new set of spy images, there are a few other cosmetic changes. This includes blacked-out mechanical components such as its exhaust pipe, front and rear suspension setup, black headlamp bezel and turn indicator housings.
      Even the engine and gearbox setup has also been painted black instead of a traditional chrome setup. The whole all-black theme adds a nice modern flavour to the retro motorcycle. Other notable changes included a single-piece grab rail for the pillion and a new stitching pattern for the seat.
      Jawa Forty Two Black Edition
      Jawa would also want to improve the quality of foam beneath the seat as consumers have lots of complaints regarding Forty Two’s seating comfort, especially for the pillion. Although, going by the images, shape of the seat has been kept intact. A short flyscreen has also been added but that seems to be part of an accessory package.
      Jawa Forty Two Black Edition
      While details regarding this update are still very thin, we expect a similar tyre setup to be included to other Jawa models including Jawa Classic and Perak. It might also be the case that this update might be included as a whole new variant in Forty Two’s lineup. One can expect this iteration of the retro motorcycle to make hit showrooms in the next few weeks.
      Powertrain Specs
      Visually there seem to be no changes made on the mechanical front. It is still likely to be powered by a BS6-compliant 293cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that features in the current iteration of Forty-Two.
      Jawa Forty Two Black Edition
      This unit is good enough to return an output of 26.5 bhp and 27.05 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox and is offered in two variants- single-channel ABS and dual-channel ABS. The test mule spotted recently is most probably the latter as it features disc brakes on both front and rear.
      Currently, Jawa Forty-Two has been priced between Rs 1.65 lakh and Rs 1.74 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). With the launch of Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Honda H’Ness CB350, rivalry in the modern classic segment of motorcycles has intensified and a timely update by rival brands is a need of the hour. More