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    Ather Electric Scooter Production Capacity 1.1 Lakh Per Year At New Plant

    Ather Electric Scooter Production At New Hosur Plant
    Electric scooter and battery production capacity at Ather Energy Hosur manufacturing plant

    Ather Energy has started ops at its 1,23,000 sq. ft. EV manufacturing facility in Hosur, TN. As the manufacturer goes from strength to strength, 90 percent of Ather Energy’s production is localised in India. The company is capable of manufacturing 1,10,000 scooters and 1,20,000 battery packs in a year. An investment of Rs 635 crore is planned over next 5 years.
    Ather Energy mega-factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu saw production get underway on January 2, 2021. Since then, deliveries have gotten underway at Bombay, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Plans are afoot to get on with deliveries in a phased manner across 21 other cities by Q1 2021. Localisation at the manufacturing unit includes the battery pack, which Ather Energy makes themselves.
    Ather 450X and Ather 450 Plus sales
    Ather 450X and Ather 450 Plus were designed in Bengaluru, a city which is home to the largely new manufacturer. The supply chain ecosystem that has been developed sees most of the company’s supplier base located in Tamil Nadu.
    It’s no surprise that Hosur has a natural selection for the manufacturing plat. The Hosur facility functions as Ather’s national manufacturing hub to cater to nationwide demand.
    New Ather EV Plant
    Continual market expansion means, Ather Energy confirms deliveries and presence across 27 cities in 15 states. They include – Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Kolkata, Calicut, Ahmedabad, Mysore, Hubli, Jaipur, Indore, Panaji, Bhubaneshwar, Nasik, Surat, Chandigarh, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Nagpur, Noida, Lucknow, and Siligur.
    New Ather EV Plant
    Ather Energy availability
    Expansion plans point to a presence in 40 cities by 2021 end. The factory gets support from the state government under its EV Policy. Going ahead, Ather is also focused on lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Over the 5 years to come, 4000 employees will be trained in requisite skills.
    Ather’s manufacturing facility is built on Industry 4.0 principles. The company is also zeroing in on Smart algorithms to read data collected to make meaningful interpretations. End-to-end supply chain process information is integrated into Ather Energy’s processes, logistics, warehousing, quality checks, production to finally vehicle dispatch.
    New Ather EV Plant
    For now, Ather Energy is the only EV OEM in India to make its own battery packs. 13 patents have been filed pertaining to design and manufacturing of li-ion batteries.
    Tarun Mehta, CEO & Co-founder Ather Energy, said, “It’s been a great journey for us so far and the opening of this facility is truly a milestone for Ather. The consumer demand has increased by multiple folds and with us expanding to new markets, this state-of-the-art facility will cater to demand across the country.
    New Ather EV Plant
    We are proud of the fact that we designed and built a product from scratch which is in line with the government’s Make in India vision. We are thankful to the Tamil Nadu government and their EV policies which have allowed us to have most of our supplier base in the State making us self reliant.”
    New Ather EV Plant More

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    ETryst 350 Electric Motorcycle Launch On 15th Aug – Range 120 Kms

    Etryst 350 Electric Motorcycle
    Pure EV electric bike ETryst 350 will be the brand’s first fully-electric motorcycle slated to hit showrooms on August 15

    Electric vehicle startup Pure EV has announced that it will launch its first electric motorcycle offering later this year. Named ETryst 350, this electric bike will be launched on August 15 this year and will be completely designed, developed and manufactured in India.
    Until now, Pure EV has been developing and producing only electric scooters and the new electric motorbike is claimed to be a major leap forward in the country’s EV sector. The company has announced that it will be deploying around 50 demo vehicles of the e-bike across India at certain dealerships by March-end.
    Details of Pure EV ETryst 300
    Slated to hit showrooms this Independence Day, ETryst 350 is expected to be “economical in comparison to conventional motorcycles” in terms of power and performance. The first lot of the electric motorcycle will be launched in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune which are believed to have the highest demand for electric two-wheelers. Following this, it would be expanded to more outlets by year-end.
    Very little is known about the bike’s specifications at the moment but we do know that Etryst 350 will feature a 3.5 kWh battery pack that can provide a range of around 120 km on a single charge. It can clock a top speed of 85 kmph and the company claims to deliver a ride experience on par with its IC engine counterparts. It is also providing a 5-year warranty with the battery.
    Etryst 350 Electric Motorcycle
    The electric bike is undergoing extensive trials and testing at Pure EV’s technical centre based out of IIT Hyderabad campus and will be completely built at the company’s facility near the engineering institute’s campus.
    Designed For India
    The startup claims that the battery has been designed to work under tough environmental conditions. The e-bike has been specifically designed to carry out daily commutes and will target the youth as its primary consumer base.
    The brand currently has over 100 touch points across India from Tamil Nadu to Srinagar to Arunachal Pradesh. It is also looking to further expand in India and also looking to explore overseas markets such as South Asian and South East Asian countries in the near future. The South American and African markets are also in the foray with launches slated for a later date.
    Although, there is no official word on the pricing just yet but Pure EV says it will remain affordable. Once launched, it will rival the likes of Revolt RV300 and RV400 – which are priced in the range of Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh.. More

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    Detel Easy Plus Electric Two Wheeler Showcased – Launch In April 2021

    Detel Easy Plus Electric Two Wheeler
    Detel Easy Plus showcased before launch in April 2021

    Detel Easy Plus has been unveiled at India Auto Show 2021. The company intends to launch the ‘World’s Most Economical’ electric vehicle for B2C segment in April 2021. The larger goal is to gain a toehold in tier 2 and 3 markets.
    In gaining identity in the EV space, 2020 saw the brand launch Detel Easy, which the brand terms a price efficient electric two-wheeler. Detel Easy Plus is an opportunity to reach potential customer pools, and strengthen company foothold in a niche product market. Product goals are outlined as a perfect balance between price and modern needs of the Indian customers.
    Detel Easy Plus colours
    The company says, Detel Easy Plus will be the best fit for Indian roads in this price range. And is available in four colours – Yellow, Red, Teal Blue and Royal Blue. For now all eyes are on the prospects of what a well round EV industry in India could look like. With draft laws and polices still being revised, it’s a long game of wait and watch at present.
    A common pattern in the auto industry is the abundance of electric scooters, and last mile connectivity vehicles. Though small in size, this space is already competitive when one looks at the sheer number of manufacturers participating. Another area where big investments are being made are public transport procurements. More specifically, electric bus fleets for public transportation.
    Detel Easy Plus Electric Two Wheeler
    Electric vehicle market in India
    E-commerce logistics too proves to be a great environment of transition. Plans are afoot to introduce a commercial e-vehicle, Detel Easy Loader by 2021 end. Small loaders being the backbone of delivery businesses are much in demand.
    And projected demand for deliveries continues to steady the sails of e-commerce. Furthermore, a range of customisation options for product specific delivery optimisation has ensured development in loader segments.
    In addition, since these are large operated within city premises, managing an electric fleet can easily be optimised to meet charging and running ops in a cost effective manner.
    Dr. Yogesh Bhatia, Founder, Detel said “We have been putting all the efforts to fuel the Electric Vehicles revolution in India. This auto show provided us the best stage to showcase the stunning creations of Detel’s genetics. By supporting the Delhi government’s initiative on Switch Delhi campaign, we have taken a step ahead to boost EV adoption by expanding its product portfolio in order to raise the awareness of EV adoption and help combat the air pollution.” More

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    2021 Bajaj Pulsar TVC Highlights Global Presence Of The Made In India Motorcycle

    2021 Bajaj Pulsar
    Bajaj is planning to expand the Pulsar lineup by introducing Pulsar 180 Naked and Pulsar RS400 later this year

    Bajaj Auto is a household name in the Indian automotive market and has established its footprints in several international markets as well. This fact has been highlighted in the automaker’s latest TV commercial which shows its presence in foreign markets such as Brazil, Egypt, Philippines and Turkey.
    Bajaj Pulsar ads have always been the talk of the MoTown. Some of the early Pulsar commercials from over a decade ago, are still cherished by fans. Now, Bajaj has released the first Pulsar TVC for 2021.
    New 2021 Bajaj Pulsar TVC shows bikers performing breathtaking stunts on various models of the Pulsar range of motorcycles. These stunts have been shot across different exotic locations around the world. For reference, the stunts shown in the upcoming video have been carried out by trained professionals under observation.
    New Pulsar TVC
    From conducting stoppies to rolling stoppies along with burnouts, the advertisement shows bikers in prominent tourist locations such as Christ- The Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro and Pyramids in Giza. A snapshot with Buland Darwaza in Delhi in the background is also seen in the advertisement. Models such as Pulsar 150, 180F, NS200, RS200 and NS160 could be seen carrying out the antics in the TV commercial. Take a look at the 2021 Bajaj Pulsar TVC below.
    [embedded content]
    Bajaj has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years both in domestic and overseas markets. The popularity of the Pulsar range of sporty commuter motorcycles has had a lot to do with it. A combination of practicality and performance at an affordable price has been the contributor to Pulsar’s success both in India and abroad. Collaboration with international brands such as KTM, Husqvarna and now Triumph has further earned Bajaj a valuable name in foreign markets.
    The indigenous bikemaker currently retails seven models of Pulsar range which includes Pulsar 125 Neon, Pulsar 150, Pulsar NS160, Pulsar 180F, Pulsar NS200, Pulsar RS200 and Pulsar 220F. The company is also looking to expand the lineup by introducing two new bikes this year including Pulsar 180 naked and Pulsar RS400.
    More Pulsar’s Incoming?
    Pulsar 180 will be the same motorcycle underneath as its semi-faired sibling 180F. It will be equipped with the same mechanicals but will wear a slightly different attire which would be similar to Pulsar 150. Interestingly, the naked roadster iteration of Pulsar 180 was on sale earlier and was discontinued in 2019 to be replaced by Pulsar 180F. It will be powered by a BS6 compliant 178.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that generates 16.6 bhp and 14.52 Nm of peak torque. This unit is linked to a 5-speed gearbox.
    Other than this, Bajaj is also looking to launch its top of the line Pulsar RS400 later in the second half of this year. This upcoming flagship faired sports bike from the Chakan-based manufacturer will be powered by the same liquid-cooled, triple spark 373.2cc engine which performs duties on KTM 390 series and Bajaj Dominar 400. This unit is likely to churn out 41 bhp and 34.5 Nm of peak torque while being mated to a six-speed gearbox. More

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    2021 Jawa 42 Launched – More Power, New Colours, Higher Price

    2021 Jawa 42 Red
    The updates are mostly concentrated on the aesthetics department but it also involves a change in exhaust downtube design

    The Honda CB350 and Royal Enfield Meteor 350 set off what is turning out to be a action packed competition in the 350 cc segment. Jawa can’t afford to stay indifferent for long and hence the update.
    The 2021 Jawa 42 with quite a few updates has been launched at INR 1.84 lakh (ex-showroom). This is about Rs 12k expensive than the current Jawa 42 dual ABS variant (Rs 1.72 lakh) and Rs 21k expensive than the single ABS Jawa 42 (Rs 1.63 lakh).
    2021 Jawa 42 – What’s new?
    The first thing you notice are the alloy wheels and replacement of chrome elements with black finish. While the shiny treatment was widely preferred for retro-classic motorcycles, the customer preference seems to be shifting towards black finish which is easier to maintain and has a sportier appeal.
    The updated Jawa 42 also receives two new colour options in the form of matte red and matte black. The existing colour options have been carried forward as well. There is a new wider eccentric decal strip on the fuel tank and tailpiece.
    2021 Jawa 42 Black
    The 2021 Jawa 42 also comes with a range of new optional accessories including a compact windshield, headlamp grille, handlebar end-mounted rear view mirrors, white rim stripes and so on. Tyres are now tubeless.
    Specifications
    Given that Jawa Motorcycles upgraded its product portfolio to BS6 emission standards last year, it is surprising that the engine has been carried forward with changes. To recap, the Jawa 42 is powered by Mahindra Mojo-derived single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 295 cc engine which is tuned to develop 26.51 hp and 27 Nm of torque. Transmission is a 6-speed unit. The new Jawa 42 gets a more refined version of the same unit, which now delivers 0.8 hp more power.
    The retro-classic roadster continues to be equipped with regular telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorber. While both front and rear wheels are retarded by a disc each, the base version makes do with a single-channel ABS as standard. Buyers can also opt for dual-channel system for around INR 9,000 more.
    2021 Jawa 42 White
    In the new colour scheme with black treatment, you can only buy the dual ABS as single ABS option is not available. Existing range of Jawa 42 will continue to be on sale as is, with the same pricing as before.
    Rivals
    The 2021 Jawa 42 will continue to lock horns with Honda H’ness CB350 and Royal Enfield Classic 350 which is due for replacement shortly. The CB350 has managed to clock 10,000 unit sales in just 3 months despite being sold only through Honda’s BigWing premium outlets whose territorial coverage is much smaller compared to Jawa’s dealership network.
    With a new CB350 RS variant scheduled to be launched next week, the model’s prospects are expected to get even brighter. So, the Jawa 42 has got its work cut out but the updates are a step in the right direction.

    2021 Jawa 42 Black decals

    2021 Jawa 42 Matte Red

    Jawa Forty Two Black Edition

    Jawa Forty Two Black Edition

    Jawa Forty Two Black Edition More

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    Honda CB350RS New Teaser Reveals LED Tail Light, Turn Indicators – Yellow Colour?

    Honda CB350RS Teaser
    Honda CB350 achieves 10k sales milestone – It comes just days before the launch of new variant of the classic roadster

    Honda took its own sweet time to establish a proper presence in India’s medium displacement segment with a market-specific product. However, things are now moving at a brisk pace. The Honda CB350 retro classic roadster surpassed 10,000 unit milestone in a relatively short period even with limited number of BigWing outlets across the country. The milestone achievement comes just days ahead of the planned variant extension.
    Honda CB350 sales
    Since 21st October 2020 when the deliveries commenced, the CB350 has managed to clock 10,000 unit sales in just 3 months. Speaking about the motorcycle, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., revealed that there are order backlogs in several cities and the company is working at the backend to reduce the waiting period. He also added that Honda is in the process of expanding its BigWing premium motorcycle dealership network to more cities in the months to come.
    While the sales figure is no where near what its primary rival, Royal Enfield Classic, has been managing on a monthly basis despite being at the end of its life cycle, the CB350 is certainly a bright prospect for Honda.
    Honda CB350 RS launching soon
    Honda recently teased what looks like a cafe racer variant of the CB350 which is to be launched in India on 16th of February. We learnt that the new motorcycle will be called the Honda CB350 RS. From what is already revealed, the new variant’s styling is in-line with the Japanese brand’s RS lineup of retro-classic motorcycles.
    New Teaser of the Honda CB350RS reveals LED tail light, turn indicators, and yellow colour on fuel tank
    The CB350 RS will be a sportier alternative to the regular model with black accents replacing chrome treatments, and a new taillight and empennage. We can also expect different colour themes and a slightly tweaked riding position (read new handlebars) to further differentiate it from regular CB350.
    As far as specifications are concerned, we don’t expect to see any drastic changes. The 348 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine developed specifically for our market will continue to power the motorcycle. In its current guise, the motor is good for 21 hp and 30 Nm of torque, and comes paired with a 5-speed transmission. We expect the Honda CB350 RS to have identical performance figures.
    Outlook
    The launch of new variant, increment in production capacity and expansion of BigWing dealership network would bring in significant incremental sales for Honda’s neo-classic platform. Given the popularity, we expect the company to dish out interesting variant extensions like cafe racer, scrambler, special editions, etc., at regular intervals.
    With Royal Enfield gearing up to overhaul its widely acclaimed 350 cc portfolio with new exciting products, the competition in this space is set to get very intense in the short term. It is all good news for prospective customers. More

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    Royal Enfield Himalayan 2021 First Ride And Walkaround – Better Than Before?

    Image – Nitesh Neo
    Equipped with several new features, 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan offers smoother, more comfortable rides

    Updated Himalayan has been launched at a starting price of Rs 2.36 lakh (on-road, Delhi) while the ex-sh Chennai price starts from Rs 2.01 lakh. The adventure-ready motorcycle gets three new colour options – Mirage Silver, Granite Black and Pine Green. Earlier options of Gravel Grey, Lake Blue and Rock Red have been retained. The Pine Green is the top-spec model, priced at Rs 2.44 lakh, on-road, Delhi.
    Himalayan 2021 new features
    To inform users about all that’s new in Himalayan 2021 as well as share first ride experience, YouTube channel Nitesh Neo has posted a detailed video. One of the key changes is the updated dashboard that now has Tripper navigation system.
    As may be recalled, the Tripper system was first introduced with Meteor 350. Powered by Google Maps, the Tripper system has a dedicated screen to display turn-by-turn navigation. It works when paired to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth.
    Other dials on the dash remain largely the same as earlier. Users can access a range of information such as distance travelled, miles per hour, gear position indicator, compass, fuel gauge, and tachometer.
    [embedded content]
    At the front, the frame on the sides of fuel tank has been adjusted to provide more leg and knee space for taller riders. The windscreen is longer, which should provide better protection against the wind. This update also improves the motorcycle’s road presence.
    Users can expect more comfortable rides, as the seat is now thicker as compared to the earlier model. At the rear, a back rack has been added for a carrier box. It is rated to support up to 7 kg.
    Himalayan 2021 ride experience
    According to the rider, updated Royal Enfield Himalayan appears to be more responsive. It has a clean, linear throttle response, which ensures smooth rides. Performance on dirt tracks is superb, as the motorcycle has good balance and has been equipped with robust suspension system. Seats are comfortable and can support long-distance touring.
    Powering 2021 Himalayan is the same engine as earlier, a 411cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor. It is capable of churning out max power of 24.3 bhp at 6,500 rpm and max torque of 32 Nm at 4,000rpm – 4,500rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
    2021 Himalayan rides on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels. These are considered better for off-roading in comparison to standard alloy wheels. The motorcycle has dual purpose Ceat tyres (tube type) with knobby design. Braking duties are performed by disc brakes at both ends. Dual-channel ABS is offered as standard. More

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    Yamaha R15 Engine Powered Aerox 155 Scooter Updated For 2021

    2021 Yamaha Aerox 155
    Yamaha has launched the cosmetically and mechanically overhauled 2021 Aerox 155 in Thailand

    With popularity of maxi-scooters heading northwards, more manufacturers are bringing in new products to cash in this opportunity. While the Indian market is yet to open its arms fully for these power scooters, auto brands have found reasonable success in this space overseas.
    Yamaha is the latest manufacturer to expand its range of maxi-scooters by launching the new Aerox 155 in Thailand. Following the footsteps of its Japanese counterpart Honda, which revealed its updated Forza range of scooters a few months ago, the latest iteration of Aerox 155 comes with a fair share of upgrades both mechanical and cosmetic.
    Updated Design & Features
    The 2021 Aerox 155 comes with significant updates in terms of styling which includes a twin LED headlight setup consisting of LED DRLs and an updated LED tail lamp. Not only in design but the power scooter also gets an updated equipment list comprising a fully digital instrument console which is equipped with Yamaha’s Y-Connect app as a standard fitment.
    This feature allows riders to pair their smartphones with the scooter in order to receive a host of information including error codes, service schedules and last parking location.
    2021 Yamaha Aerox 155
    It also allows riders to manage calls and messages on their console and share details of their rides via the app with other Y-Connect riders. Other feature highlights include engine start-stop, hazard lights, keyless start and a 25-litre storage capacity under the seat which can be accessed by a remote locking button.
    Hardware
    Coming to its dynamics, it is heavier at 125 kg dry weight in comparison to 118 kg of its predecessor and a comfortable saddle height of 790mm. Suspension duties are carried out by conventional telescopic forks in front and twin remote reservoir shock absorbers at rear.
    Anchoring duties are taken care of by a disc brake on the front wheel and drum brake on the rear wheel aided by a single-channel ABS. It rolls on 14-inch wheels wrapped by 110/80-14 and 140/70-14 profile tyres on front and rear respectively. Fuel tank capacity has also increased from 4.6 litres to 5.5 litres.
    2021 Yamaha Aerox 155
    Powertrain & Transmission
    Speaking of its powertrain, it gets an updated 155cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder engine with variable valve actuation (VVA). This is the same engine which powers the R15 V3 in India. On board the scooter, this unit now cranks up 15.4 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 13.9 Nm at 6,500 rpm against its predecessor which produced 14.8 bhp and 14.4 Nm of peak torque. Equipped with electronic fuel injection (EFI), it uses a traditional V-belt CVT to carry out transmission duties.
    Price
    The new Yamaha Aerox 155 is offered in two variants- standard and ABS at a starting price of THB 67,500 (equivalent to INR 1.64 lakh). In all likelihood, this power scooter will not reach our shores unless the Japanese brand decides to take on its rivals from Honda and Aprilia. More