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    2024 Kia EV9 Pricing Announced, Topped with the $75,395 GT-Line

    Kia has revealed the full 2024 EV9 range, starting at the $56,395 rear-wheel-drive Light model.The Light Long Range can cover more miles for $60,695, while stepping up to the all-wheel-drive Wind variant will cost $65,395.The $71,395 EV9 Land adds more luxurious features, while the $75,395 GT-Line at the top of the lineup brings more torque and a swankier interior design.Just a couple of weeks after announcing the 2024 Kia EV9’s base price, the South Korean automaker has revealed full pricing details for its three-row electric SUV. Five variants will be available when deliveries kick off late this year, starting at the rear-wheel-drive EV9 Light and topping off with the sporty EV9 GT-Line e-AWD.KiaThe entry-level Light RWD starts at $56,395 and features an electric motor on the rear axle that provides 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 800-volt architecture supports DC fast-charging as standard, and the cabin also comes with an eight-way power adjustable, heated and cooled driver’s seat. Long RangeThose looking to take longer road trips can opt for the $60,695 EV9 Light Long Range model, which upgrades the battery pack from the standard 76.1-kWh pack to a 99.8-kWh pack. This should provide a range of around 300 miles, according to Kia, and the Long Range model is also fitted with captain’s chairs in the second row to give passengers a more comfortable ride on lengthier journeys.KiaThe cheapest all-wheel-drive EV9 will be the Wind trim, starting at $65,395. The dual-motor setup combines for 379 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, and this model brings a standard heated steering wheel and a heat pump to help the battery cope with colder temperatures. Buyers seeking a more feature-heavy interior with all-wheel drive will have to pony up $71,395 for the EV9 Land, which adds snazzy “digital pattern” lighting elements on the front and 20-inch wheels. Inside, there’s a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, digital rearview mirror, and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system. The Land model also includes more driver-assistance technology, while an optional towing package boosts hauling capability up to 5000 pounds. More Kia NewsAtop the range sits the EV9 GT-Line, an all-wheel-drive performance-oriented version that sees torque boosted to 516 pound-feet. At $75,395, the GT-Line also wears special front and rear designs and 21-inch wheels. The GT-Line features standard remote smart parking assist, and the cabin is decked out in more luxurious materials and unique trim elements. Sales of the EV9 are set to begin later this year.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    Ferrari 296GTB Is the Quickest RWD Car We’ve Ever Tested

    The Ferrari 296GTB is now the fastest rear-wheel-drive car we’ve ever tested, dispatching 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and finishing the quarter-mile in 9.7 seconds at 150 mph. Its ultra-short 70 mph stop of 130 feet takes that crown away from the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, which formerly held the record at 132 feet. The plug-in-hybrid powertrain fuses a 654-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 to a 165-hp electric motor for 819 horses of combined output. Welcome to Car and Driver’s Testing Hub, where we zoom in on the test numbers. We’ve been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test here).While prepping the Ferrari 296GTB for testing, an interested bystander asked the obvious question: “What does it have for an engine?” When we said it had a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 mated to an electric motor, the eye-rolling was nearly audible. “A V-6 hybrid Ferrari? Not interested.” Oh how their tune would have changed if they had seen it break our rear-wheel-drive acceleration record by reaching 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and storming the quarter-mile in 9.7 seconds.Massive PowerThe heart of the beast is a 2992 cc V-6 engine, and this combination gives the 296 its name. Why not 306, because 2992 cc rounds to 3.0 liters? In a word: China. Tax-wise, 3.0-liter engines are taboo over there, and Ferrari wanted to underscore the fact that this engine lives on the happy side of that milestone.The part our bystander should have been interested in is the 120-degree bank angle, which gives this V-6 the firing cadence of a V-12. The result is incredible, especially as the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission cracks off shifts at the 8500 rpm redline. That broad vee is also a handy place for two turbochargers to live, and it all adds up to 654 hp of internal combustion oomph amounting to some 219 horsepower per liter.Dan Edmunds|Car and DriverBut that of course wasn’t enough, so there’s a 165-hp axial flow synchronous AC electric motor sandwiched between the engine and gearbox. It’s connected to a 6.0-kWh battery pack that’s bigger than a typical passive hybrid battery so that it can be plugged in. The EPA says it’s good for 8 miles of range, but after testing this car we think its true purpose is to ensure the added 165 electric horses always stand ready to insinuate themselves and raise total combined output to 819 horsepower.Launch ControlWe made two modifications to our test sequence because of the 296’s powertrain. The first was typical of any plug-in vehicle: we test acceleration first to take full advantage of the electricity. The second was in deference to the 296’s traction-control system, which learns the slip characteristics of the test surface. We scrapped the usual east-west-east-west alternating cadence that saves time and instead made all our eastbound runs before facing the other way for the westbound ones.Launching the car is simple, but the procedure has one counterintuitive quirk. After selecting Qualifying mode, you slide the adorable shift toggle to manual, press the brake, then floor the throttle. Revs will rise to 3000, then the ready light comes on and you release the brake. The weird part is this: even though you selected manual mode to arm the system, you don’t manually upshift. Launch control does that bit for you.Dan Edmunds|Car and DriverDown to BusinessOur consecutive same-direction runs got steadily better as the system adjusted to the start-point friction, but progress leveled off at the third pass, so our best-run data comes from that point on. The same was not true of runs in the opposite direction, which were quick right away. I guess our test asphalt is more consistent than we imagined. In the end, the 296GTB’s two-way average results were incredible for any car, let alone an 819-hp rear-drive one that must put all its power down through a pair of 305/35ZR-20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires.The GTB’s 60 mph run of 2.4 seconds puts it ahead of the Lamborghini Huracan STO and the McLaren Artura, a pair of rear-drive exotics that ran 2.6 seconds. Next up is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, which managed 2.8 seconds. But the gaps grow wide after that, with the Ferrari’s 4.7 second run to 100 mph nearly a second clear of the McLaren and Lambo, and a full 2.0 seconds up on the Porsche. At the quarter mile, the 296GTB’s 9.7 seconds at 150 mph is well clear of the next-fastest Artura, which crosses in 10.3 seconds at 140 mph.More SupercarsThem’s the Brakes On the issue of electricity preservation and needing to run acceleration first, we needn’t have worried. The 296GTB has massive regenerative braking capacity, but it’s not obvious because all brake triggering—regenerative and friction—comes via the wonderfully communicative brake pedal. Ultimately, a chunk of the electrical energy expended during an acceleration run returned to the battery under braking, such that the battery charge percentage dropped quite slowly. It’s almost as if Ferrari has experience with racing cars built to harvest and deploy energy within the context of a single lap.This regenerative system here only works off the rear drive tires to which the motor is connected, of course, so ultimate braking power still relies heavily on the massive 15.7-inch ventilated and drilled carbon-ceramic rotors, 10-piston front calipers, and the grip of the 245/35ZR-20 Cup 2R front tires. The 269GTB also has an active aerodynamic device that rises up from between the taillights to generate drag and downforce, but its deployment timing didn’t seem to be optimized to act strictly as an air brake, so I’m not going to call it one.Still, the friction brakes aren’t going it entirely alone on this car, which weighs 3532 pounds on our scales. Perhaps that’s why the Ferrari was able to stop from 70 mph in a scant 130 feet and wrest away the stopping distance title from the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS despite weighing 290 pounds more. Then again, the extra weight and momentum may be why the Porsche retains the 100 mph stopping distance advantage, with a score of 242 feet to the Ferrari’s 245 ft.More on the 296 and RivalsFun fact: The Ferrari SF90 Stradale holds the overall crown of 2.0 seconds to 60 mph on account of all-wheel drive and 986 combined horsepower. That initial 0.4-second 60 mph advantage over the 296GTB shrinks to two-tenths of a second at the quarter mile, at which point the SF90’s trap speed has sagged to 148 mph, which is 2 mph slower. In the end we saw 190 mph in 17.8 seconds in the 296 before we ran out of room and called it a day.Technical EditorDan Edmunds was born into the world of automobiles, but not how you might think. His father was a retired racing driver who opened Autoresearch, a race-car-building shop, where Dan cut his teeth as a metal fabricator. Engineering school followed, then SCCA Showroom Stock racing, and that combination landed him suspension development jobs at two different automakers. His writing career began when he was picked up by Edmunds.com (no relation) to build a testing department. More

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    Honda Launched CB350 Legacy Edition, CB350RS New Hue Edition

    Honda CB350 Legacy EditionHonda CB350 Legacy Edition and CB350RS New Hue Edition come equipped with the same engine as before along with similar componentryAfter launching Goldwing Tour, the Japanese 2W giant, Honda, has launched special editions of its neo-retro CB350 H’ness and CB350RS motorcycles in India. Honda is calling these special editions as Lagacy Edition with CB350 and New Hue Edition with CB350RS. Starting price quotes by the brand for these special edition versions start from Rs. 2,16,356 (ex-sh).Honda Launched CB350 Legacy EditionAccording to Honda, CB350 Legacy Edition is a blend of the bike’s timeless design and iconic styling ethos. CB350 Legacy Edition gets a sole Pearl Siren Blue colour scheme. With Legacy Edition, Honda aims to bring a few design cues of iconic CB350 of the 1970s to 2023. The Legacy Edition badge on fuel tank is a stark example of this.There is a dark blue base shade to CB350 Legacy Edition, contrasted by new graphics on CB350’s body. Couple that with chrome-finished exhausts, crankcase, fenders and grab rails bring out retro vibes. Rear fender is classic shaped too, and so are its round LED turn indicators. Price quoted for Legacy Edition is Rs. 2,16,356 (ex-sh).Honda Launched CB350RS New Hue EditionUnlike Honda CB350 Legacy Edition with a sole Pearl Siren Blue shade, CB350RS New Hue Edition gets two distinct colour options. They are called Sports Red and Athletic Blue Metallic. Honda calls New Hue Edition with CB350RS as an amalgamation between superior stance and contemporary style.Honda CB350RS New Hue EditionBoth Sports Red and Athletic Blue Metallic colour options with New Hue Edition get attractive tank graphics, body-coloured grab handles and headlight covers. Upping the style quotient, CB350RS brings sleeker turn indicators, sportier rear fender, black crankcase, black exhaust and other attributes. Price quoted for New Hue Edition is Rs. 2,19,357 (ex-sh).Same powertrains and mechanicals as beforeBoth Honda’s special editions come equipped with the same engine, components and features as before. The same 348.36cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine with 20.8 bhp and 30 Nm, mated to a 5-speed gearbox with slipper clutch is seen with these special editions.All the features like Honda’s fancy-named traction control system, dual channel ABS and semi-digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity are retained. Still no navigation, though.Words from the manufacturerIntroducing Honda’s latest premium BigWing motorcycles, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are delighted to launch new H’ness CB350 Legacy Edition and CB350RS New Hue Edition in India ahead of the auspicious festive season.Ever since their market debut, Honda’s middle-weight 350cc retro motorcycles have pleased the Indian customers with their modern classic charm and spirited performance. We are confident that the launch of these specially curated motorcycles will further amplify their appeal among the buyers.”Commenting on the launch of H’ness CB350 Legacy Edition and CB350RS New Hue Edition, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Truly bringing in the festivities, we are happy to announce the launch of H’ness CB350 Legacy Edition and CB350RS New Hue Edition.These new motorcycles will aspire young riders to venture into the ‘CB’ world of refined performance, superior technology and unrivalled reliability. Bookings for these special H’ness CB350 and CB350RS are now open at BigWing dealerships across India and deliveries will begin soon.” More

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    Triumph Scrambler 400X Launched – Rs. 2.63 Lakh, Off-road Hardware

    Triumph Scrambler 400X LaunchedThe 398cc single-cylinder DOHC, 4V, liquid-cooled engine on Triumph Scrambler 400X is similar to Speed 400 and generates 40 PS of power and 37.5 Nm of torqueThe British brand’s affordable lineup manufactured by Bajaj Auto has been to a good start with the launch of Speed 400. Now, Triumph has launched Scrambler 400X, the second motorcycle in its budget TR series based lineup. Price for Triumph Scrambler 400X is Rs. 2,62,996 (ex-sh) and is Rs. 30,000 more expensive than its roadster counterpart, Speed 400.Triumph Scrambler 400X LaunchedA strategic partnership with Bajaj Auto has resulted in the introduction of two new affordable motorcycles for Triumph. Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X are based on TR Series 398 cc single-cylinder engine that generates 40 PS of peak power and 37.5 Nm of peak torque.This is a modern powertrain that features liquid cooling, a DOHC setup, a 4V head, a slipper clutch, ride-by-wire, a 6-speed gearbox and more. Triumph has optimised this powertrain for low-speed rideability, smooth power delivery and a lot of character. Where it differs from Speed 400 is in hardware and componentry.For starters, Triumph Scrambler 400X gets off-road-worthy componentry. These include a long-travel suspension setup (150 mm travel at both ends) consisting of gold-finished USD telescopic front forks, rear mono-shock, adjustable handlebars, 19-inch front wheel wrapped with 100/90-19 rubber and 17-inch rear wheel wrapped with 140/70-17 rubber. Both ends get block pattern dual-purpose tyres.Triumph Scrambler 400X specsThere is a single-disc brake setup at both ends, coupled with dual-channel ABS. Other notable elements are 195 mm ground clearance, upgraded flat foot pegs with removable rubber for better grip, 835 mm seat height and more. Triumph provides quite a bit of protection for both motorcycle and rider with features like engine sump protection, headlight grill protection, radiator guard, handlebar brace and knuckle guards.To aid dirt riding, Triumph is offering a switchable traction control system and switchable ABS. This should allow for a fun-packed trail session, blasting through beaten paths. The exhaust is slightly up-swept in Triumph Scrambler 400X, which should ensure reasonable water-wading capability. There is a longer front mudguard too.Impactful and purposeful designAs opposed to Speed 400, Triumph Scrambler 400X has a longer wheelbase along with higher ground clearance, and a commanding riding position. Overall package weighs just 179 kg, which is decent, considering the kit on offer. Design is purposeful and is in line with what Triumph offers with bigger models within Scrambler lineup including Scrambler 900 and Scrambler 1200.Triumph Scrambler 400X coloursTriumph’s signature sculpted fuel tank, engine profile, and its timeless overall aura screams sophistication. The quality along with fit and finish are in line with Triumph’s image. The promised service interval is pretty high too, at 10,000 miles (16,093 km). This not only reduces running and maintenance costs but reduces the number of visits to service centres as well.In terms of features, Triumph offers all-LED lighting, a semi-digital instrument cluster, a USB-C charging socket, factory fitted immobilizer key and more. Personalisation is possible with 25 genuine accessories that the brand is offering. There are three colours on offer with Triumph Scrambler 400X – Matte Khaki Green, Phantom Black and Carnival Red. Bookings have commenced already.Triumph Scrambler 400X trail blasting More

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    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Production Starts – 1st Unit Rolls Out Of Plant

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Powerful performance and enhanced ride dynamics will be among the key differentiating factors for new Himalayan 450For explorers with limited budget, one of the preferred options has been the Royal Enfield Himalayan. To boost its capabilities even further, Royal Enfield is working on the all-new Himalayan 450. The bike is scheduled to debut on November 1st, 2023.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 production startsAhead of launch, production of the new Himalayan 450 has started at the company plant in Chennai. It will have more firepower to take on rivals such as KTM 390 Adventure. And with affordable pricing, it could emerge as an irresistible deal. For reference, the existing 411cc Himalayan is available at a starting price of around Rs 2.16 lakh.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450As compared to existing Himalayan, the new Himalayan 450 has a relatively lithe profile. The changes should make the bike more appropriate for both highway cruising and off-road environments. Some of the key highlights include raised front beak, round headlamp, round rear view mirrors, large windscreen, wide handlebar, new sculpted fuel tank, side luggage rack and compact exhaust.Users can expect optimal comfort on longer rides, as Himalayan 450 is equipped with a pretty large rider seat. It has thick foam padding and relevant bevels to support the thighs. To make longer journeys more convenient, Himalayan 450 is expected to offer a range of luggage accessories. At the rear, the bike has a dedicated rack for a top box. Racks for side panniers are expected to be offered as an accessory.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Users can expect to ride longer distances between fuel stops, as the fuel tank appears larger than the current model. Or it may be just that the higher capacity engine will consume more fuel per kilometre, which can be compensated with a larger fuel tank. However, nothing is certain as the new 450cc engine could actually be more fuel efficient.Royal Enfield Himalayan 45021-inch wheels at front and 17-inch at rear will be the same as the existing Himalayan. The bike will have disc brakes, integrated with dual-channel ABS. New Himalayan 450 will have ground clearance of around 220 mm.Some of the features that will be entirely new for Himalayan 450 include all-LED lighting and USD front forks. The bike will also be getting a new single-pod instrument cluster. It’s a large circular unit, with a different layout in comparison to that of other Royal Enfield bikes. The gear indicator is dead centre whereas the speedometer is placed towards the right. The tachometer covers the outer circumference of the instrument console.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Himalayan 450 performanceNew Himalayan 450 is expected to get a 450cc, liquid cooled engine. It could generate around 35 bhp of max power and 40 Nm of peak torque. This can make a big difference in ride dynamics in comparison to Himalayan 411. The latter generates 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm, which may not be enough for extreme off-road tracks. Highway cruising abilities will also be enhanced with the more powerful engine. New Himalayan 450 is expected to get a 6-speed gearbox. The engine will have features such as slipper and assist clutch. More

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    Hero Hurikan 440 Trademarked – Harley X440 Based Naked Streetfighter?

    Image for reference onlyWhile it will share the mechanicals with Harley-Davison X440, Hero Hurikan 440 will have entirely unique design aestheticsHero MotoCorp’s multifaceted partnership with Harley-Davidson includes development and sharing of new platforms. It’s something similar to the collaboration between TVS and BMW. After Harley’s X440, it appears that Hero is looking to introduce its own version based on the same platform.Hero Hurikan 440 name registeredAs per current records, the ‘Hurikan 440’ Word Mark is currently displayed as “Accepted & Advertised”. It indicates that the trademark name is closer to getting approved. Hopefully, Hurikan 440 will not get into potential legal tangles, as seen with X440 being opposed by Ultraviolette Automotive.Hurikan seems a good name choice for Hero’s new flagship bike. There’s some level of familiarity with Lamborghini Huracán. But that’s unlikely to have any impact on the bike’s future prospects. Huracán is the Spanish equivalent of a hurricane, which could be true for Hurikan as well. As Hurikan seems a globally relevant name, Hero may pursue export opportunities with this bike.The company already has a strong presence in exports of commuter bikes and scooters. While Harley X440 is a neo-retro interpretation of a roadster, upcoming Hero Hurikan 440 is expected to be a naked streetfighter bike. This segment has the widest acceptability in premium range. With affordable pricing, Hero should be able to generate decent sales numbers with Hurikan.Hero Hurikan 440 trademarkedThe bike will compete with the likes of Bajaj Dominar 400, KTM 390 Duke, BMW G310R and recently launched TVS Apache RTR 310. Similar to the response generated by Karizma XMR, Hero’s new flagship could be a major draw for enthusiasts. While a test mule is yet to be spotted, expect the bike to have a dominating street presence.Some of the key highlights will include an aggressive front fascia, LED headlamp with DRLs, sculpted fuel tank, fully digital instrument console, sinewy body profile with exposed frame sections, step-up split seat design and short tail section. Some exciting colour options and sporty graphics and decals will be on offer.Hero Hurikan 440 performanceHardware specs will be largely the same as Harley-Davidson X440. However, the engine could be tweaked in line with the needs of a naked streetfighter. For reference, Harley-Davidson X440 has a 440cc, single-cylinder, air-oil cooled, long-stroke engine. It generates 27 bhp of max power and 38 Nm of peak torque. It is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. In addition to having a different state of tune for the engine, Hurikan 440 is also expected to have a sportier exhaust note.Hero Hurikan 440 will have USD forks at front and a mono-shock unit at rear. Both front and rear suspension might have adjustability options. Braking duties could be done by 320 mm front and 240 mm rear disk brakes. Dual-channel ABS will be standard. Users can also expect a range of advanced tech and connectivity features. Hurikan 440 is expected to be launched in 2024. More

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    First 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Reportedly Auctioned for $400,000, with First Deliveries Still Elusive

    The first 2024 Tesla Cybertruck has reportedly been sold at auction at the Petersen Auto Museum, according to posts on X.The angular truck sold for $400,000, with attendees paying at least $1750 for access to the event.Tesla has yet to confirm production specifications for the Cybertruck, and it’s unclear how many motors this early-VIN example packs.At long last, production of the Tesla Cybertruck finally appears to be underway. Over the weekend, social media posts claimed that a 2024 Cybertruck was auctioned at an event at the Petersen Auto Museum. The truck allegedly sold for a whopping $400,000, as reported by InsideEVs.com. The auction occurred during the Petersen’s 29th gala event, hosted by Jay Leno. Tickets to the festivities cost $1750, with a table reservation coming in at $17,500 and a “premier” table ringing in at $30,000. Clearly, the attendees have cash to spare, and posts on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, state that the truck sold at auction for $400,000. We reached out to the museum for confirmation of this figure, but a representative told us that they couldn’t confirm winning bid amounts “due to internal fundraising policies.”If the sale goes through, this would become the first Cybertruck to be officially sold. The unorthodox pickup, first revealed back in 2019, was originally slated for production in 2021 before consistent delays pushed it back. The museum had advertised that attendees of the gala could bid on a “low-VIN” 2024 Cybertruck, and the museum representative told us that the winning bidder will receive a low-VIN Cybertruck “when Tesla completes production,” effectively making this an auction for a build slot and not a car.More Tesla NewsIn recent months, there have been increased sightings of Cybertrucks testing and being hauled on flatbeds. Tesla had previously said that full-scale production wouldn’t begin until 2024, but that early units would start rolling off the line this year. On July 15, Tesla posted on X claiming that the first Cybertruck had been built at the automaker’s Giga Texas factory. This isn’t the first time a high-interest EV truck has been auctioned off. The first 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV sold for $500,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January, while the first Hummer EV SUT truck was auctioned for $2.5 million at a Barrett Jackson auction in 2021. Delivery When?Tesla, however, still hasn’t announced an official delivery start date for the Cybertruck. The automaker also hasn’t confirmed specifications for the production-spec pickup, which was originally claimed to start around $40,000. Several variants were planned, from a single-motor rear-wheel-drive base model to a high-performance Tri-Motor version, but it’s unclear which of these will be produced for 2024, or at all. The Cybertruck definitely exists now—Tesla recently posted video of the Cybertruck driving over dirt trails in Baja, Mexico—and it is only a matter of time until, we presume, it officially launches. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    2W Retail Sales September 2023 – Over 20% YoY Combined Growth

    Hero Xtreme 160rThe 2W retail sales September 2023 charts showed a positive note for growth and sales with majority of OEMsIndia being one of the largest 2W markets in the world, is of primary importance for OEMs. Add to it festive season and a large potential for sales, 2W retail sales September 2023 turned out pretty interesting even with numbers from August 2023. As usual, Hero topped the charts, followed by Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, Royal Enfield, Yamaha, Ola, Ather, Greaves (Ampere), Piaggio, Classic Legends, Okinawa and others, in order.2W Retail Sales September 2023Like clockwork, Hero MotoCorp has held the top position again, with 3,51,781 units sold last month. Market share was a staggering 26.81%, which is up from 24.99% share just a year ago. Then partner, now rival Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI), took 2nd place with 3,48,899 units sold last month.Honda’s market share is around the same vicinity as Hero MotoCorp’s at 26.59%, down from 27.67% share last year. Combined, both Hero and Honda sell more than half of the total 2W sales in India, which is quite significant. In 3rd position, we have TVS Motor with 2,28,852 units sold under its name.TVS holds a 17.44% market share in Indian 2W space, which the company increased from the 16.56% share it had a year ago. The company is spearheading into premium 2W space with TVS X and Apache RTR 310 launched recently. Combined, Bajaj and Chetak managed to secure 4th place in this list.Image – FADA ResearchBajaj sold close to 1.5 lakh units and held an 11.38% market share, which the company increased from the 10.76% market share it possessed in September 2022. Suzuki India has strengthened its foothold in India from 5.28% market share last year to 5.60% last month. The 73,452 units Suzuki sold in September 2023 was commendable as opposed to 56,893 units in 2022.Royal Enfield lost market share YoYDue to the increase in sales with other brands, Royal Enfield has lost quite a bit of market share YoY. From 5.37% last year to 4.81% last month. Despite this, sales grew YoY as Royal Enfield sold 63,084 units last month as opposed to 57,910 units sold last year. Yamaha India sold 49,510 units and secured 3.77% market share, down from 4.11% YoY.Leading the Indian 2W startups in India is Ola Electric with 18,647 units sold last month. With Ola S1X and Ola S1X+, the company expects a new ceiling in sales. It held 1.42% market share, up from 0.92% last year, which is commendable with double the sales YoY. Ather saw 7,123 units and held 0.54% market share.Ampere by Greaves sold 3,605 e-scooters last month, followed by Piaggio selling 2,925 Vespa and Aprilia 2Ws, Classic Legends selling 2,427 Jawa and Yezdi bikes, Okinawa with 1,789 units and other EVs combined, had 10,693 units to their names. In total, 2W retail sales accounted for 13,12,101 units which is a clear YoY growth as opposed to 10,78,286 units sold in September 2022.FADA’s remarksCommenting on September 2023 2W retails, FADA President, Mr. Manish Raj Singhania said, In comparison to pre-COVID benchmarks, the sector enjoyed a robust 14% uplift, with the 2W category registering growth (2%) for the first time. The 2W segment witnessed positive shifts as the festive season approaches. With the introduction of new models and attractive promotional offers, demand increased, especially in rural areas, fostering improved market sentiments.This uptick in demand was accompanied by heightened customer walk-ins and an overall positive market response. Additionally, better stock availability compared to the previous year and a favourable reception to newly launched entry-level products have set an optimistic tone for the upcoming festive season. More