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      Suzuki Motorcycle India Production Milestone – Access The Road Ahead

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      Suzuki India officials with the 1 millionth two wheeler – New Access 2024Suzuki Motorcycle India Production Milestone Growth Trajectory: From 2006 to 1 Million in FY 2023-24Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL) celebrates a monumental achievement: producing 1 million two-wheelers in FY 2023-24. This feat demonstrates SMIPL’s commitment to excellence and innovation. The Suzuki Access, a popular model, marked this milestone at the Kherki Dhaula plant in Gurugram.Since its establishment in February 2006, SMIPL has steadily expanded its presence in the industry. This accomplishment strengthens the company’s dedication to delivering high-quality, reliable, and innovative two-wheelers to riders. The future of Indian two-wheeler industry looks promising, with opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement driving growth and competitiveness in the market.Customer Expectations Met: SMIPL’s PromiseExceeding the annual production capacity within a year is remarkable. SMIPL has surpassed its original installed capacity of 1 million units per year to meet rising demand. The workforce and engineers displayed exceptional ingenuity and commitment to achieve this milestone.An achievement that reflects SMIPL’s unwavering commitment to meeting customer expectations. The company prioritises both demand and quality standards associated with the Suzuki brand. Gratitude is extended to employees and business associates for their continuous support. Emergence of digital technologies is transforming the way customers interact with brands and make purchasing decisions. Companies are leveraging digital platforms for marketing, sales, and customer service, enhancing the overall consumer experience.Suzuki India officials with the 1 millionth two wheeler – New Access 2024India’s Two-Wheeler Future: OpportunitiesSMIPL’s success is a testament to its adaptability and responsiveness to market demands. The company remains dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of customers. This milestone further solidifies SMIPL’s position as a leader in the two-wheeler industry.Focus on quality and innovation continues to drive its growth and success. SMIPL is poised to capitalise on future opportunities and challenges in the industry. Commitment to delivering excellence remains unwavering. As Suzuki Motorcycle India celebrates this significant milestone, it acknowledges the collective efforts of its workforce and partners. Together, they have contributed to the company’s success and growth. SMIPL looks forward to continued collaboration and success in the future.Beyond Numbers: SMIPL’s Million-Dollar MilestoneAchieving the Suzuki Motorcycle India production milestone of 1 million two-wheelers within a year highlights SMIPL’s operational efficiency and dedication to customer satisfaction. The company is keen on delivering exceptional products and experiences to its customers.In India’s competitive two-wheeler space, technological advancements and changing consumer preferences continue to shape the industry landscape. With the rise of electric vehicles and increasing focus on sustainability, manufacturers are exploring innovative solutions to stay ahead. Companies like Suzuki Motorcycle India are investing in research and development to introduce eco-friendly options and cater to the evolving needs of customers.Sustainable Solutions: SMIPL’s Next Frontier?Furthermore, the expansion of urbanisation and the growing middle-class population present significant growth opportunities for the two-wheeler market. As cities become more congested, there’s a greater demand for compact and efficient modes of transportation, driving the sales of motorcycles and scooters.Moreover, with the government’s emphasis on promoting electric mobility and reducing carbon emissions, there’s a growing impetus for manufacturers to invest in electric two-wheelers. This shift towards cleaner alternatives is expected to revolutionise the industry and create new avenues for growth and innovation. More

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      Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Long Term Review – First Impression

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      Royal Enfield New Himalayan 450 First Impression ReviewWhen compared to discontinued Himalayan 411, Royal Enfield New Himalayan 450 is a significant upgrade to rival offerings from Triumph, Yezdi, KTM and BMWIndian 2W market has a multitude of sub-segments. Adventure lifestyle motorcycle segment might not be the volume generator that manufacturers rely on. But it garners the most interest from enthusiasts. Hero Impulse and Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 kick-started and are stalwarts in this segment. Royal Enfield New Himalayan a.k.a. Himalayan 450 is the latest entrant to this sub-segment and this is our first impression after around 1,000 km with this motorcycle.Royal Enfield New Himalayan 450New Himalayan is one of Royal Enfield’s latest launches. The company loaned us a New Himalayan for a long-term review. Around 1,000 km with this motorcycle, this is a perfect time for us to share our first impressions on RE’s new adventure horse. New Himalayan is the spiritual successor to Himalayan 411, which has touched thousands of thrill seekers’ hearts worldwide.New Himalayan 450 Side ProfileWith a detailed review underway, I would be sticking to positives and negatives revolving around New Himalayan and laying down my thoughts in a systematic way. As impressive as Royal Enfield New Himalayan is, there is still a lot of work at company’s hands.Himalayan 450 Long Term Review – Positives1. Design & Road presenceNew Himalayan is not offensive in any way. It sticks to classic ADV motorcycle genre with a purposeful approach. Personally, I’m not a fan of large beaks on motorcycles without a fairing (semi-fairing or full-fairing) and that’s the only thing I would get rid of, which is subjective, though. Overall silhouette might be similar to Himalayan 411, but there is a significant bulk with New Himalayan that is immediately evident. It grabs eyeballs and I often faced multiple inquiries from strangers regarding the motorcycle. Never in a bad way.New Himalayan 450 Ergonomics2. ErgonomicsI did a 550 km ride in a day on this New Himalayan. The upright posture with centre-set footpegs positioning ensured I was devoid of any fatigue and strain in my wrists, shoulders, elbows, neck, back and legs. There are two seat height settings – 825 mm and 845 mm. Being a 182 cm tall individual, the taller setting appealed to me more and I could easily flat foot too.3. Performance & EfficiencyNew Sherpa 450 engine has oodles of performance. 100 km/h mark comes in under 7 seconds and the urge with which this machine accelerates is unlike any single-cyl Royal Enfield. Acceleration is addictive too, tempting you to flick the throttle more often than necessary. Peak power is 40 bhp and peak torque is 40 Nm and these are very healthy numbers. 120+ km/h cruising speed is a cakewalk. Efficiency is respectable for a 452cc, 40 bhp, 40 Nm, 196 kg motorcycle. The 550 km ride I embarked on, took around 16L of fuel, which works out to be a good 34 km/l fuel efficiency and 550 km to 580 km tank range.4. TechnologyThe new Sherpa 450 engine is the first of its kind for Royal Enfield. It features liquid cooling, a DOHC 4V head, electronic throttle (ride by wire), a slip and assist clutch and a 6-speed gearbox (a smooth one at that). Overall appeal of New Himalayan is that of a tech-loaded package, which is unlike any other Royal Enfield. Heating is well-contained with a large radiator and active cooling fans do a pretty good job. It gets warm, but not uncomfortably hot.New Himalayan 450 Liquid-cooling5. Ride & Handling43 mm USD telescopic front forks and rear mono-shock with long travel offer a decent balance between ride and handling. There is a sense of indestructibility about this setup and inspires a lot of confidence on smooth asphalt, speed humps, broken and beaten paths, trails and off-road situations. Standing and riding provide a greater sense of control while tackling the rough stuff too.Himalayan 450 is proving to be a capable handler, for what it is. The large 21-inch wheels need some effort to steer, but it is surprising how well Himalayan masks its weight at medium to high speeds. Straight-line stability is commendable, given its long wheelbase. Even though they’re not tubeless, the specially designed CEAT-sourced 90/90-21 and 140/70-17 front and rear tyres invoke confidence.New Himalayan 450 Specific CEAT TyresBraking hardware has seen an upgrade with strong performance from 320 mm front and 270 mm rear disc and dual-channel ABS with ride modes. There are no vibrations till around 95 km/h mark and the same vibe-free experience continues upwards of 125 km/h.6. GadgetsAll-around lighting is LEDs and rear blinkers also house tail lights, which is a neat touch. New Himalayan debuts Royal Enfield’s Tripper Dash, which is the world’s first circular display on a motorcycle to integrate Google Maps. There is a dedicated smartphone app to configure this display and it supports notifications, call alerts, music controls and other aspects via a 5-way clickable D-Pad and a Mode button on left switchgear. The display is surprisingly bright with an auto-brightness feature via a dedicated sensor. It is crisp and high-resolution too.New Himalayan 450 Tripper DashHimalayan 450 Long Term Review – Negatives I faced so far1. The Tripper DashAs good as Royal Enfield’s new Tripper Dash is, our unit never once worked to its full potential. The unit connects with my Samsung S Series smartphone. But music controls and Google Maps never once worked. Even Royal Enfield personnel fiddled around with it for an hour and gave up in despair. I even tried the same with an iPhone. It just never worked.2. Cumbersome city ridesThe 196 kg kerb weight is masked beautifully on open roads, but it makes its presence known in the city. Even more bothersome is a rather heavy clutch lever action, despite New Himalayan having a slip-and-assist clutch. I’ve faced both these negatives in OG Himalayan 411 too and remain unchanged. There’s a new negative with Himalayan 450 that Himalayan 411 never showed, which is low-speed tractability. There is absolutely no low-speed tractability with this engine and I have stalled the engine even in 1st gear on multiple occasions in peak Bengaluru traffic. With all three factors combined, I wouldn’t choose New Himalayan as my city commute partner. This beast yearns to be unleashed on the highway.New Himalayan 4503. Surprising vibrationsVibrations are one of the more surprising elements of Himalayan. We say this because the Sherpa 450 engine is very smooth and vibe-free at most speeds. Till 95 km/h, there are no vibrations at all. Post that, there are strong vibes that I felt in the handlebar, seat and even footpegs. Surprisingly, vibes taper off post 125 km/h speed. This grey area between 95 km/h and 125 km/h is actually the sweet spot for cruising on New Himalayan, but that’s exactly where the vibes kick in.New Himalayan 450 Switchgear4. Finicky switchgearThe new starter rocker shared with other Royal Enfields works beautifully. However, I wish Royal Enfield hadn’t re-invented high beam flasher and re-positioned it within low/high beam rocker switch. Especially when wearing leather gloves, it is hard to reach too. There is a mode button where flasher switch used to be that I hardly ever used. The 5-way clickable D-Pad to control is not a quality item and triggers false registers very frequently.5. Un-calibrated fuel guageI don’t know if this is with just our unit or all New Himalayans, but the fuel gauge is not acting as expected. When I first collected the motorcycle, DTE (Distance To Empty) was showing 42 km, which dropped to 15 km after going just 2 km. At this point, the tank was almost empty and I refuelled Rs. 1,000 worth, in New Himalayan’s 17L tank. Rs. 1,000 gives only 9.8L in Karnataka. Surprisingly, the fuel gauge showed 100%.I recreated this scenario. Only, this time I refuelled Rs. 800 worth (7.8L) in an almost empty tank. Surprisingly, the fuel gauge showed 100% again. Curiously, I recreated this scenario one last time and I refuelled just Rs. 100 (0.8L) in an almost empty tank to see how it would react. The meter didn’t fail to amuse as it rose 1 full bar, which is 25% of this tank. Yeah! When full, the first two bars of fuel level drop very slowly. Third bar is faster and the fourth is the fastest. I could see the fourth bar drop in real-time with a wide open throttle.New Himalayan 4506. Misaligned triple clampOur unit has never fallen once. But I could already see the triple clamp misaligned. Because of that, the handlebar tilts towards the exhaust side, while going straight. This kind of messes up the steering feedback as well. Also, strong rattles are coming out from this triple clamp area too.New Himalayan 450 Seat7. Uncomfortable seatI mentioned how comfortable New Himalayan’s ergonomics are, but it is exactly the opposite when it comes to its seat. The shape is perfect. It is only the foam used, which is very firm. I couldn’t ride on this seat more than 60 or 70 km in a stretch and I had to stand on the motorcycle every 30 km and shift my position every 15 km. No wonder why Royal Enfield sells a touring seat as an accessory.New Himalayan 450 Kamet White Pattern8. AestheticsI’m not a fan of how this Tripper Dash looks as it is tacked on with an exposed clamp. It could have been tidied up. Three people asked me why paint was flaking on a brand-new motorcycle. That’s because the pattern on Kamet White colour looks less like camouflage and more like flaking paint. I can’t unsee it now. Royal Enfield seems to be pushing the Kamet White colour with the media, but I think Kaza Brown, which is white, is the best colour for the New Himalayan.9. Missing featuresI am used to self-cancelling indicators on motorcycles and was surprised to see that New Himalayan doesn’t get it. Indicators don’t beep as well, so I often forgot that indicators were on. My Rs. 75,000 (on-road) Bajaj Pulsar 150 from 2010 has self-cancelling turn indicators and Royal Enfield New Himalayan 450 costs Rs. 4 lakh (on-road Karnataka). Ouch! Also, there is a ride-by-wire throttle and yet Royal Enfield didn’t develop cruise control on this wonderful touring machine. More

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      TVS Sales Breakup Jan 2024 – Jupiter, Raider, XL, Apache, Ntorq, iQube

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      Image – The Bikers DiaryTVS Motor has registered double digit growth across its two wheeler segment, both in terms of domestic sales and exports in January 2024TVS Motor Company entered the New Year with strong performance seen across its two wheeler segment. The company has posted positive sales both in domestic and global markets and increased sales both across its motorcycle and scooter lineups. The company has also gained traction for its electric two wheeler iQube, which witnessed a 33 percent YoY growth in January 2024.TVS Motor Domestic Sales January 2024Total two wheelers sold by TVS Motor both in domestic and global markets in January 2024 has registered a growth of 21.37 percent YoY. Sales increased from 2,58,691 units sold in January 2023 to 3,29,005 units sold in January 2024. TVS Motor sales in January 2024 stood at 2,68,143 units, up 26.20 percent YoY over 2,12,471 units sold in January 2023. This was a volume growth of 55,672 units.TVS Sales Jan 2024It was the Jupiter scooter that commanded the most attention in domestic markets with 74,225 units sold last month. This was a 36.23 percent YoY growth over 54,484 units sold in January 2023. The Jupiter was also the 2nd best-selling scooter in the country, scaling over Suzuki Access and Ola S1 by a significant margin. This list also included the Ntorq at No. 5 on the same list.TVS Raider has also seen increased demand with 43,331 units sold last month, an 86.51 percent YoY growth over 23,233 units sold in January 2023. It was followed by the XL with 42,036 units sold last month, a 14.47 percent improvement from 36,723 units sold in January 2023. TVS Apache sales stood at 31,222 units last month. It was also at No. 7 on the top 10 motorcycle list, overtaking sales of the Hero Passion and RE Classic by a few units.TVS Sales Jan 2024 vs Jan 2023 – YoY ComparisonTVS Ntorq sales grew 11.76 percent YoY to 27,227 units while the company’s sole electric scooter iQube has seen a 27.88 percent increase in sales to 15,562 units in January 2023. TVS iQube also featured at No. 2 on the list of electric two wheeler sales last month. There were 11,916 units of the Radeon sold last month relating to a 32.93 percent YoY growth while sales of Sport dipped 4.70 percent YoY to 10,229 units. While TVS Zest has posted a 58.89 percent YoY growth to 7,560 units in January 2024, sales of the Star City dipped by 34.78 percent to 2,089 units. The list also included the relatively new Ronin with 2,049 units sold along with 697 units of the R 310.TVS Exports Jan 2024 vs Jan 2023 – YoY ComparisonTVS Exports January 2024Exports of TVS Motor grew by 31.68 percent to 60,862 units in January 2024, up from 46,220 units sold in January 2023. This was a volume growth of 14,642 units. Globally, it was the Star City 125 that commanded the most attention with 32,743 units sold last month, up 99.66 percent over 16,399 units sold in January 2023. It currently holds a 53.80 percent share on the company’s export list.Exports improved for the Apache by 184.61 percent, the highest percentage growth as compared to any other model on this list. There had been 9,725 units shipped last month, up from 3,417 units exported in January 2023. TVS Sport (6,717 units) and Jupiter scooter (4,830 units) also posted 105.04 percent and 43.88 percent YoY growth respectively.Raider exports grew by 49.93 percent to 4,285 units. There was a de-growth of 18.65 percent for Ntorq exports to 2,172 units last month. TVS Ronin (328 units) and R 310 (62 units) featured lower down on the export list. More

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      Mahindra XUV Coupe EV Spied In Ladakh Next To Alto, Dzire – Launch In 2025

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      Mahindra XUV Coupe SpiedExpected to be around 4,790 mm long, Mahindra XUV coupe has a powerful, dynamic road presenceTo ensure its dominance in an electrified era, Mahindra is working on its next-gen XUV.e and BE range of electric SUVs. All these SUVs will be based on the new INGLO platform. Test mules have been spotted frequently and the latest sighting is that of XUV.e9 from Ladakh, where it was spotted by automotive Ravneesh. It can be seen parked in between the Maruti Dzire and Maruti Alto.Mahindra XUV.e9 – Key featuresXUV.e9 is primarily an electric version of the upcoming Mahindra XUV700 Coupe or XUV800. The coupe SUV instantly gets your attention with the sloping roofline. Its curvy, aerodynamic profile exudes confidence and sophistication, something that’s just not possible with the boxy profile of traditional SUVs.Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied Mahindra had recently filed a design patent for XUV.e9, which reveals features such as a closed front panel, sleek C-shaped DRLs, full-width LED light bar, sharp LED headlamps and chiselled bonnet. Side profile has sporty alloy wheels, circular fenders and ORVMs with integrated turn signals. It is likely that the ORVMs will have cameras to support the 360° view. While the front doors have flush-type handles, the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillar.At rear, the SUV has shark fin antenna, split aero rear spoiler, wraparound tail lamps, prominent bumper and fake air vent-type elements. XUV.e9’s coupe profile is not just about aesthetics. It also makes the vehicle more efficient by reducing drag. Wheels too have aerodynamic properties. These features will help achieve a higher range for XUV.e9.Mahindra XUV Coupe SpiedMahindra XUV.e9 interiorsWith multiple bestselling SUVs, it is apparent that Mahindra has consistently focused on customer delight. The approach will be the same for the upcoming electric SUVs. Mahindra is looking to enhance the user experience with a multitude of segment-first features.Mahindra XUV Coupe SpiedFor example, XUV.e9 will have a triple-screen setup that will cover almost the full width of the dashboard. Along with the touchscreen and instrument cluster, the third screen will be for the front passenger. The cockpit section will be truly transformed with the interconnected 3-screen layout.Mahindra is also expected to debut a new steering wheel with backlit logo for its born-electric SUV range. It is likely to be similar to that of new-gen Tata cars. Upcoming Mahindra electric SUVs can also have a fixed glass roof top. The cabin could get special features to ensure the best visual outcomes with the natural light flowing from the roof.Mahindra XUV Coupe SpiedMahindra XUV.e9 performanceBoth RWD and AWD options will be available with Mahindra XUV.e9. The SUV will have the INGLO platform that has significant optimizations across performance and efficiency. Based on the variant, the battery capacity could be in the range of 60 kWh to 80 kWh. Range is expected to be around 500 km. As for the top speed, Mahindra has already shared a teaser showing XUV.e9 touching 200 km/h in a track environment. More

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      Electric Car Sales Jan 2024 – Tata, MG, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia, BYD, Mercedes, BMW, Audi

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      New Tata Punch EV. Image – Shubhadip Singha  Optimism continues to rise in the electric passenger vehicle segment which has posted significant increase in demand in January 2024The electric car segment has been seeing increased demand in India. New model launches have spurred up sales in this segment to a great extent. Even as the Government of India is continually introducing new and more favourable policies, buyer awareness concerns are also rising, while improved battery technology is slowly but surely alleviating customer’s fears of range and performance.Electric Car Sales Jan 2024Boosted by new product launches, the electric car segment improved in January 2024 showing both YoY and MoM growth. Sales stood at 8,165 units in the past month, a 136.84 percent YoY growth over 3,447 units sold in January 2023. It was also a 13.07 percent MoM growth over 7,220 units sold in December 2023.Electric Car Sales Jan 2024Tata Motors, that also has the highest number of electric offerings in its portfolio, was the No. 1 electric PV OEM. Retail sales in the past month stood at 5,591 units to command a 68 percent share in this segment. This was a 125.26 percent YoY growth from 2,482 units sold in January 2023. MoM sales also improved by 14.69 percent from 4,875 units sold in December 2023. Tata offers Nexon EV, Tiago EV, Punch EV and Tigor EV.MG Motors has the ZS EV and Comet EV in its portfolio which has steered the company to post a total of 1,162 unit retail sales. This was a 167.13 percent YoY growth from 435 units sold in January 2023 while MoM retail sales improved by 21.17 percent over 959 units sold in December 2023. Mahindra, which offers XUV400 EV, has also seen an 11.09 percent MoM growth in retail sales to 741 units in the past month from 667 units sold in December 2023. Mahindra now plans launch of the XUV300 EV sometime 2024. It will be positioned below the XUV400 EV in the company lineup and will take on the Nexon EV in its segment.Electric Car Sales Jan 2024 vs Jan 2023 – YoY comparisonOutstanding growth was also reported by Hyundai Motor with its EV retail sales at 162 units, up 38.46 percent YoY and 30.65 percent MoM from 117 units and 124 units sold respectively in January 2023 and December 2023. Hyundai has the IONIQ 5 and Kona Electric in its currently lineup and will soon bring in the Creta EV which is currently on test. BYD sales stood at 150 units in January 2024 with a 7.14 percent YoY growth but 11.76 percent lower sales on a MoM basis over 170 units sold in December 2023. BYD offers Atto3 and e6. Soon they will launch the Seal EV sedan.Electric Car Sales Jan 2024 vs Dec 2023 – MoM comparisonCitroen, which offers eC3, reported 28 units retail sales last month relating to a 42.86 percent MoM de-growth. Kia EV sales saw a 27.08 percent YoY de-growth but an improvement in MoM sales by 16.67 percent to 35 units in January 2024. Kia has the EV6 on sale, with plans to launch Clavis EV and EV9 later this year.Premium / Luxury EV Sales Jan 2024BMW India retail sales of EVs also grew by 15.87 percent YoY but dipped 10.98 percent MoM to 146 units from 164 units sold in December 2023. BMW EV portfolio in India includes iX1, i4, iX and i7. Price ranges from Rs 67 lakh to Rs 2.5 crore. Mercedes has also reported YoY growth of 29.55 percent to 57 percent in January 2024 while its MoM sales dipped 30.49 percent over 82 units sold in December 2023. Mercedes India EV portfolio includes EQB, EQE and EQS with prices ranging from Rs 75 lakh to Rs 2.45 crore.Volvo India also saw its MoM sales fall to 50 units in the past month from 54 units sold in December 2023. Volvo India EV portfolio includes XC40 EV and C40 EV with prices in the range of Rs 58 lakh to Rs 63 lakh. Audi EV sales in India fell by 12.50 percent MoM to 14 units in January 2024. Audi India EVs include e-tron, e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT, Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron with prices ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.95 crore. Porsche with 8 units sold last month in the EV segment, down 69.23 percent from 26 units sold in December 2023. Porsche EV on offer in India is the Taycan which is priced at Rs 1.61 crore to Rs 2.44 crore. More

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      Yamaha R1 To Be Discontinued In 2025 – Due To Emission Standards

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      Yamaha R1 To Be DiscontinuedYamaha R1 range to discontinue post EU5+ emission standards kick in from 2025Serving as poster motorcycles for generations of motorcycling enthusiasts, Yamaha R1 range is set to go on the pages of history books post EU5+ emission standards mandate. This is a rather surprising move and is likely to catch the motorcycling fraternity off-guard. Both Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1 M will continue to be on sale till EU5+ emission standard deadline.Yamaha R1 Range To Discontinue Post EU5+ Emission StandardsPost EU5+ emission standard mandate, there won’t be any litre-class from Team Blue at all. This is a common trend that motorcycle manufacturers are currently following. Suzuki, for one, has done the same thing. At the fag end of 2022, Suzuki pulled the plug on GSX-R1000R and was the first of the Big Four to have a portfolio devoid of a litre-class offering.Yamaha R1 To Be DiscontinuedFast forwarding to 2024, Yamaha is following Suzuki’s footsteps and is pulling the plug on its litre-class YZF-R1 and YZF-R1 M. Yamaha Motor Group has decided to drop its litre-class motorcycle offerings post EU5+ emission standard. This means Yamaha won’t develop EU5+ versions of R1 and R1 M litre-class motorcycles.The company also expressed intentions to shift focus towards mid-term business and product strategies for future opportunities. Both Yamaha R1 and R1 M will continue to be on sale till 2025 when the cut-off for EU5+ emission standards comes into effect. Even though this comes off as shocking, this is likely to be a strategy that other manufacturers may follow in the future.Yamaha R1 To Be DiscontinuedWhat next?More manufacturers are shying away from premium, low volume and high value offerings in favour of higher volume vehicles. Appealing to the masses is key as it would generate more volume for more mid-tier offerings. The deadline is far away and buyers can get their hands on one till the EU5+ emission standard kicks in 2025.There is a very good probability that Yamaha will continue to manufacture R1 and R1 M post EU5+ emission standard mandate. However, these will be track only, as emission standards don’t apply to track machines. These motorcycles could feature free flowing exhausts and raunchier tunes along with significant weight savings.These might miss out on elements like indicators, headlights, number plates and other paraphernalia mandated for road-going motorcycles. Yamaha took this track-spec route when the R6 (4-cylinder model) was discontinued. The market is gravitating towards sub litre-class motorcycles for lightness and agility.Upcoming Yamaha R9 could emerge as the company’s new flagship motorcycle offering, where fully-faired bikes are concerned. Yamaha India axed R1 long back. The motorcycle came equipped with a 998cc 4-cylinder engine with 194.3 bhp of peak power and 112.4 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. More

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      KTM Sales, Exports Jan 2024 – Duke, RC, 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

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      2024 KTM 390 Duke. Image – Kiran KumarIn January 2024, KTM has posted a YoY growth in total sales while MoM sales fell significantly with every model operating at a lossKTM India has been receiving increased attention in domestic markets in recent months and January 2024 was no different. Total sales (domestic + exports) as reported by KTM India grew to 12,469 units in the past month by 11.34 percent. MoM sales suffered a setback of 19.89 percent when compared to the 15,565 units sold in December 2023.KTM Domestic Sales Show off High Volumes in January 2024KTM India has seen increased domestic demand in the past month with each model in the company lineup posting both YoY and MoM growth. Total domestic sales stood at 5,755 units last month, a 37.12 percent YoY growth over 4,197 units sold in January 2023. It was also a 23.82 percent MoM improvement in sales over the 4,648 units which the company had sold in December 2023.KTM Sales January 2024 – DomesticKTM 200 range commanded the highest attention with a 62.89 percent YoY and 10.61 percent MoM growth to 3,450 units sold in January 2024. This was over 2,113 units and 3,119 units sold in January 2023 and December 2023 respectively. KTM 200 currently commands a 59.95 percent share in the company’s domestic list.At No. 2 was KTM 250 range with 1,217 units sold in January 2024, a 4.02 percent YoY and 40.37 percent MoM growth over 1,170 units and 867 units sold in January 2023 and December 2023 respectively. There was KTM 250 which also saw increased demand last month to 1,217 units while the 390 range had posted sales of 858 units last month, a YoY of 9.02 percent over 787 units sold in January 2023. MoM sales also went up 47.42 percent from 582 units sold in December 2023.KTM Sales January 2024 – DomesticHighest percentage growth in domestic markets was sees in the case of KTM 125 range, sales of which have gone up by 88.52 percent to 230 units in January 2024 from 122 units sold in January 2023 while MoM sales saw an even higher percentage growth by 187.50 percent over just 80 units sold in December 2023.KTM Exports in the Red in January 2024Exports of the company however, fell considerably in January 2024, both on YoY and more significantly on a MoM basis. Exports stood at 6,714 units last month, down 4.11 percent over 7,002 units sold in January 2023. It was a 38.50 percent MoM decline over 10,917 units shipped in December 2023.Global markets saw higher demand for the KTM 390 range with 3,210 units shipped last month, down 26.44 percent YoY and 32.85 percent MoM over 4,364 units and 4,780 units sold in January 2023 and December 2023 respectively. However, there is the new 390 Adventure being readied for launch. It is slated to be unveiled at the 2024 EICMA Show in November, followed by launch in early 2025.  KTM Sales January 2024 – ExportsKTM 125 also posted YoY and MoM decline in exports to 1,731 units. However, it was the KTM 250 and 200 range that has seen outstanding YoY growth. There were 1,054 units of the KTM 250 sold last month relating to a 158.33 percent YoY growth over 408 units sold in January 2023. Global demand for the KTM 200 range also went up by 1611.90 percent from just 42 units sold in January 2023 to 719 units in the past month. Both these models have reported a MoM decline in exports.KTM Sales January 2024 – Total (sales + exports)It was the KTM 200 range (200 Duke and RC 200) that scored at the top of sales list last month with 4,169 units sold in January 2024, up 93.01 percent over 2,160 units sold in January 2023. This was a volume growth of 2,009 units. KTM 390 Adventure and RC 390 followed closely behind with a total of 4,068 units sold last month, but recording both YoY and MoM decline by 21.03 percent and 24.13 percent respectively.KTM Sales January 2024 – Total (Sales + Exports)On the other hand, the 250 range (250 Adventure and 250 Duke) has seen a 43.92 percent YoY growth in total sales to 2,271 units in January 2024 from 1,578 units sold in January 2023 while MoM sales again declined by 12.55 percent from 2,597 units sold in December 2023. KTM 125 range also posted YoY and MoM decline in demand to 1,961 units relating to a 15.11 percent and 23.93 percent de-growth respectively.  More

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      Bounce Electric Scooter Price Cut By Rs 24,000 – New vs Old Price

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      New Bounce Infinity E1 Electric ScooterBounce Infinity’s removable batteries redefine electric vehicle charging, allowing users to charge like a cell phone with any 15 Amp wall socketIts raining discounts for electric scooters. After Ola Electric announced Rs 25,000 off; Bounce Infinity has announced a staggering 21% price reduction on its E1+ range of electric scooters. This significant drop, effective immediately, positions the Bounce Infinity e-Scooters at a newly attractive ex-showroom price of Rs 89,999, down from the original Rs 1,13,000.Make electric mobility accessible to allThis move is aimed at making electric mobility more accessible and affordable for the masses, aligning with the company’s vision of fostering sustainable transportation. The promotional offer is set to create a buzz in the market, enticing consumers with the opportunity to embrace electric mobility without burning a hole in their pockets. The discount is applicable nationwide and will be valid until March 31st, 2024.Bounce E1 Electric ScooterThe distinguishing feature of Bounce Infinity’s e-Scooters lies in their removable batteries, a game-changer in the electric vehicle landscape. These batteries can be charged effortlessly using any 15 Amp wall socket, mimicking the convenience of charging a mobile phone. The scooters are not just about affordability; they boast an array of features including cutting-edge technology, innovative design, and exceptional performance.Anil G, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Bounce Infinity, expressed the company’s commitment to making sustainable transportation accessible to all. “This significant price reduction reflects our dedication to addressing consumer needs for affordability, performance, and ease of use,” said Anil G.Green Revolution Savings“Our scooters offer features like portable batteries and chargers for charging, extended range, and smart connectivity, all at a price point that truly democratises electric mobility. This isn’t just about savings; it’s about empowering everyone to join the green revolution and experience the future of mobility.”Bounce Infinity E1+ e-Scooters are equipped with a 2.2 kW peak power motor, ensuring a top speed of 65 kmph for a safer and more comfortable ride. The two-wheelers also come with 2 kWh lithium-ion NMC batteries, certified according to the latest IAS 156 battery standard, deemed the safest technology for Indian weather conditions. These batteries provide a commendable range of 85 plus km as per IDC standards.With a rapidly expanding network of over 70 dealerships nationwide, Bounce Infinity is strategically positioning itself to support the growing demand for eco-friendly and affordable transport solutions. The company’s focus on innovation, coupled with this price reduction, reinforces its commitment to leading the way in India’s electric mobility revolution. As the offer stands until March 31st, 2024, the time is ripe for consumers to embrace the future of mobility at an unprecedented price point. More