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      in Electric Cars

      BYD’s Make In India Plans Dashed – Government Says ‘No’

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      BYD Sealion 7Indian government has raised concerns about China’s non-market economy and potential links of Chinese companies to the PLA
      Last month in March, it was reported that BYD will start local manufacturing in India in Hyderabad. The plan was to set up a new manufacturing facility that will have annual production capacity of 6 lakh units by 2032. However, a recent statement by Piyush Goel, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, reveals that BYD’s expansion plan in India is essentially scrapped for now.
      BYD India Manufacturing Plant
      Border issues and China’s ambitions in the Indian Ocean and India’s neighbouring countries have prompted government officials to take a cautious approach. While both countries are working to strengthen relations, it may take a long time to settle all the issues and build confidence. These sentiments were echoed by Goyal during his recent interview with Bloomberg Television.
      Replying to a query about BYD, Piyush Goyal said that India has to look into its strategic interests. It implies that there will be strict scrutiny in terms of who could be allowed to invest. Goyal clearly said “no” in terms of BYD’s plans to expand its presence in India.
      This follows the earlier decision in July 2023 when BYD’s $1 billion (Rs 8,200 crore) investment proposal was rejected by the Indian government. The investment plan comprised building a new production plant in collaboration with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructures.
      BYD eMAX 7
      Road ahead for BYD in India
      Till things improve, BYD is likely to continue using the CBU route to sell its all-electric cars in India. Starting with the Atto 3, BYD has introduced new models at regular intervals. BYD’s India portfolio includes the Seal sedan, Sealion 7 SUV and BYD eMAX 7 MPV. Even with the CBU route, BYD has posted an impressive annual growth of 90.32%. Sales have zoomed to 3,401 units in FY25, as compared to 1,787 units in FY24.
      In March, the carmaker registered a YoY growth of 175%. Sales have increased from 144 units in March 2024 to 396 units in March 2025. This has been made possible with the introduction of newer models and expansion of the dealer network. Going forward, BYD will be aiming to further add new dealerships and target Tier-II cities as well.
      Hurdles for Chinese carmakers
      Due to geopolitical issues between the two countries, Chinese carmakers have faced resistance in terms of investment and local expansion. Earlier, Great Wall Motor’s (GMW) plan to enter India was halted due to regulatory policies that called for strict scrutiny of Chinese investments.
      BYD Seal EV
      GMW had planned an investment of $1 billion and was looking to acquire General Motors’ Talegaon plant in Maharashtra. However, due to border conflicts and policy changes, GMW exited from India in 2022. As for the General Motors’ plant, it was acquired by Hyundai. China being a non-market economy, policy makers in India have raised concerns about the Chinese government’s influence over China-based businesses.
      Lack of transparency in business ownership in China is another concern. Factors like government-sponsored subsidies and loan write-offs for China-based businesses can create unfair competition in overseas markets such as India. These apprehensions have prompted policy makers in India to limit Chinese investment.
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      TVS Apache Electric Bike Patent Images Leak

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      TVS Apache Electric Bike Design Patented – Render for reference onlyExpected to be positioned as a premium offering, TVS electric bike is likely to be fully faired and get fixed battery packs
      With the iQube electric scooter, TVS has already established a strong presence in the electric scooter segment with a market share of around 25%. Going forward, TVS seems to be aiming to target the nascent electric motorcycle segment. There aren’t many rivals here and a performance-oriented electric motorcycle can get the attention of enthusiasts. Let’s analyse what the patent images reveal about TVS new electric motorcycle.
      Compact profile, dual-battery packs
      For its new electric motorcycle, TVS will be leveraging its experience and expertise in developing and manufacturing performance-oriented machines. The experience gained with bikes like Apache RTR range and RR310, along with BMW’s 310cc range, will be quite useful. Also, TVS has already tested the Apache RTE electric motorcycle in a track environment.
      TVS Apache Electric Bike Design Patented
      It had recorded a top speed of 200 km/h at the TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC) held last year. New TVS electric bike patent images reveal that the bike will be using a mid-mounted air-cooled motor. While the motor casing seems familiar to that of TVS King electric rickshaw, the architecture is likely to be entirely different.
      Also, the platform being used for the electric bike looks entirely new. Patent images reveal a powerful motor and a belt drive setup for sending power to the rear wheel. One can spot some distinctive features such as use of multiple gears to connect the motor with the front sprocket. This design will ensure increased torque or power, depending on the diameter of these gears.
      TVS Apache Electric Bike Design Patented
      Another unique feature is the dual battery packs, mounted one on each side of the central spine frame. This ensures an even distribution of the battery weight on both sides. Also achieves a desirable lower centre of gravity, as compared to electric motorcycles with fuel tank-mounted battery pack.
      However, the battery packs appear to be fixed units, bolted onto the frame. That will limit the bike’s market potential, as some customers prefer electric two-wheelers with removable / swappable battery packs. As of now, only a few models such as Hero Vida, Honda Activa Electric and Revolt motorcycles offer removable battery packs.
      TVS Apache Electric Bike Design Patented
      Single-sided swingarm
      As evident in the patent images, the electric bike is equipped with a single-sided swingarm and a preload-adjustable offset monoshock suspension. This supports the possibility that TVS upcoming electric motorcycle will be positioned as a premium, race-capable model. It could get USD forks at the front. Positioning of the dual battery packs indicates that the bike may be fully faired.
      The bike does not have to include an air box in the sub-frame. This arrangement frees up space, which can be used for installing other electrical and electronic components. In terms of performance, TVS new electric motorcycle could be comparable to the Apache RTE. With the dual battery packs, one can easily expect a range of over 120 km. As the patent has just been filed, it may take a couple of years for TVS new electric bike to reach production stage.
      TVS MD Sudarshan Venu With Apache RTE Race Machine More

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      in Electric Cars

      BYD Sealion 7 Scores 5 Star Safety Rating – Euro NCAP Crash Tests

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      BYD Sealion 7 Scores 5 Star SafetyIn an important development for electric vehicle safety standards, the new BYD Sealion 7 has achieved impressive results in Euro NCAP crash tests. The all-electric SUV, tested in its ‘Comfort’ variant (LHD), received an overall strong safety rating, setting a new benchmark among large electric SUVs. BYD Sealion 7 was launched in India in Feb 2025, for a starting price of Rs 48.9 lakh, ex-sh.
      Outstanding Safety Performance
      The BYD Sealion 7 scored:
      – 87% for Adult Occupant Protection– 93% for Child Occupant Protection– 76% for Vulnerable Road Users– 79% for Safety Assist Systems
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      These scores place the Sealion 7 among the top contenders in its class for comprehensive occupant and pedestrian safety.
      Adult Occupant Protection: Strong and Stable
      During frontal offset crash tests, the Sealion 7’s passenger compartment remained stable. It showed excellent protection for critical body areas such as knees and femurs, for both driver and front passenger. In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection for rear seat passengers’ chests was rated as ‘weak’, but otherwise the car demonstrated good safety performance across all other critical areas.
      BYD Sealion 7 Scores 5 Star Safety
      In side barrier and pole impact tests, the SUV scored maximum points, offering good protection to all critical body areas. Whiplash protection for front and rear seats was also rated as good.
      Child Safety: Top Marks
      The Sealion 7 impressed in child occupant safety, scoring 93%. In both frontal and side crash tests, the SUV provided good protection for 6- and 10-year-old child dummies. The car is equipped with ISOFIX mounts and a ‘child presence detection’ system that alerts if a child is left unattended.
      Vulnerable Road Users: Room for Improvement
      In terms of pedestrian and cyclist safety, the BYD Sealion 7 scored 76%. While the car’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in detecting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, some areas like head protection near the windshield pillars and cyclist dooring prevention were rated as marginal.
      Safety Assistance Systems: Well Equipped
      The Sealion 7 features a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including:
      – Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist detection– Lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping– Speed limit recognition and intelligent speed assistance– Direct driver monitoring system for fatigue and distraction detection
      All seating positions are equipped with seatbelt reminders, and the Sealion 7 includes an advanced eCall system and multi-collision braking system as standard.
      The BYD Sealion 7’s crash test results highlight the brand’s strong commitment to safety in the rapidly growing electric SUV segment. With high scores across adult and child occupant protection, and well-rounded safety assistance features, the Sealion 7 makes a compelling case for customers seeking a safe, feature-rich electric SUV in 2025. More

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      New Ampere Electric Scooter Launch Price Rs 60k – No License, Registration Required

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      New Ampere Electric ScooterAmpere, the electric two-wheeler brand under Greaves Electric Mobility Limited (GEML), has launched its latest scooter, the Ampere Reo 80, priced at just Rs 59,900. Focused on making electric mobility accessible to everyone, the Reo 80 embodies Ampere’s mission of ‘Har Gully Electric’, bringing smart, safe, and affordable commuting to India’s streets and neighbourhoods.
      Making Electric Mobility Truly Accessible
      Targeting first-time EV users, students, senior citizens, and everyday family riders, the Ampere Reo 80 is designed for hassle-free mobility – no license or registration required. Deliveries for the new scooter will commence across India from April 2025.
      New Ampere Electric Scooter
      Ampere Reo 80 – Key Features
      – Safe LFP Battery ensuring thermal protection and long life– Coloured LCD Cluster for clear ride insights– Front Disc Brake for enhanced braking control– Keyless Start with a premium keyfob– Dual-Tone Sporty Colours – Black, Red, Blue, and White– Stylish Alloy Wheels adding a premium touch– Range: 80 km on a single charge– Top Speed: Sub-25 km/h (No license required)
      Designed for Everyday India
      With a starting price under Rs 60,000, Ampere Reo 80 is aimed at democratizing electric mobility in India. It’s ideal for short commutes, intra-city errands, and providing an economical, eco-friendly alternative to petrol scooters for millions of riders.
      Speaking about the launch, Mr. K. Vijaya Kumar, Executive Director & CEO, Greaves Electric Mobility, says, “At Ampere, we are driven by the vision of enabling ‘Har Gully Electric’. With the launch of the all-new Ampere Reo 80, we are making electric mobility even more accessible and inclusive for our customers in India. This ensures that every rider, regardless of their budget or need, has a safe, reliable, and smart electric mobility option from Ampere.”
      Growing Momentum for Ampere
      Ampere continues to ride a wave of success. As per VAHAN data, Greaves Electric Mobility posted a 52% month-on-month sales growth in March 2025, crossing 6,000 units. This strong market response reinforces the brand’s growing trust and relevance in India’s booming EV market. With the launch of Reo 80, Ampere is all set to electrify even the smallest gullies of India — one affordable ride at a time. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra Delivers 3,000 Electric Origin SUVs – XEV 9e and BE 6 Waiting Period Up To 6 Months

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      Mahindra Electric SUVs – DeliveryMahindra has achieved a significant milestone in its electric journey by delivering over 3,000 units of its all-electric Origin SUVs—XEV 9e and BE 6 — since deliveries commenced on March 20, 2025. The announcement marks a strong start for Mahindra’s next-generation EV lineup, reinforcing growing customer trust and enthusiasm for electric mobility.
      Record EV Deliveries In Record Time
      Both the XEV 9e and BE 6 have received an overwhelming response in the market, with the majority of customers opting for the top-spec Pack Three variant. Current booking data reveals a 59% preference for the XEV 9e and 41% for the BE 6. Given the high demand, waiting periods now extend up to six months in select regions. To address this, Mahindra is scaling up deliveries across the country to reduce wait times and ensure a smooth ownership experience.
      Mahindra Delivers 3000 Electric Origin SUVs
      In a customer-centric move, Mahindra has introduced a new ‘Default’ drive mode specially designed for first-time EV adopters. This mode replicates the driving characteristics of internal combustion vehicles, making the transition to electric smoother, more natural, and immediately comfortable for new owners.
      Additionally, each Origin SUV delivery is accompanied by curated video guides that walk customers through EV best practices—ranging from efficient charging techniques to optimizing driving range and understanding the vehicle’s advanced connected features. These resources aim to empower customers to get the most out of their electric SUVs right from day one.
      Mahindra India Design Studio
      Mahindra recently inaugurated its all-new Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS) in Mumbai, marking a bold leap forward in its design capabilities. This state-of-the-art facility doubles the size of the previous studio and is equipped with cutting-edge design technologies, blending digital tools with traditional craftsmanship. Serving as a key creative hub for both domestic and global markets, MIDS will closely collaborate with Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE) in the UK.
      With a growing product portfolio across Auto, Farm, and Last Mile Mobility, the new design studio is set to shape Mahindra’s next-generation vehicles—including the new electric Origin SUVs, XEV 9e and BE 6, which stand out with their futuristic, globally competitive design language that redefines the perception of Indian cars. More

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      KTM 390 SMC R Spied Testing With Saree Guard – India Launch Soon?

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      KTM 390 SMC R Spied With Saree Guard
      Team Orange has been expanding its 390 platform to incorporate more vehicles and genres. KTM recently launched the new 390 Adventure in India for a starting price of Rs 3.68 lakh (Ex-sh). It is speculated that KTM will also launch 390 Enduro R, which is a genre that KTM has carved out on 390 platform for the first time.
      Also for the first time on 390 platform is 390 SMC R, which has been spied recently in India. While it is not confirmed to launch in India, this particular test mule looks like it is an India-spec model. When launched, it will be the most fun-oriented motorcycle based on this platform. Let’s take a closer look.
      KTM 390 SMC R Spied Testing
      Up until now, KTM only had street fighter 390 Duke, 390 Adventure ADV and RC 390 Supersport as part of its 390 portfolio. Now, the company has expended this displacement class to incorporate a hard-core enduro motorcycle called 390 Enduro R and a supermoto bike called 390 SMC R.
      While 390 Enduro R is likely to launch in India soon, the latest spy shots of 390 SMC R indicates that the company might consider launching it in India too. We say this because the latest spy shots of 390 SMC R test mules show the presence of a saree guard, which is mandated on all 2W vehicles sold here.
      KTM 390 SMC R Spied With Saree Guard
      Bajaj Auto handles manufacturing of 390 portfolio for KTM India’s domestic and export business. Testing of these motorcycles in India is a common practice even though they’re not destined to launch here. However, the presence of a saree guard strongly suggests that it might be India bound.
      What to expect?
      Overall design is similar to 390 Enduro R, but 390 SMC R features smaller 17-inch wheels wrapped with fat rubber. 110-section at the front and 150-section for rear. Interestingly, these are wire-spoke wheels that may support tubeless tyres. It gets the same braking hardware as 390 Enduro R along with an additional Supermoto ABS mode.
      Suspension is handled by fully adjustable WP Apex USD telescopic front forks along with fully adjustable rear WP Apex mono-shock setup. Front is adjustable for rebound and compression and rear is adjustable for rebound and preload. It gets a pill-shaped 4.3-inch TFT cluster as 390 Enduro R that should be Bluetooth enabled.
      2025 KTM 390 SMC R
      Powering this motorcycle will be the same 399cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4V/cyl single-cylinder engine that is capable of 45.3 bhp of peak power and 39 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Launch is likely to happen in the coming months.
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      2025 Yamaha MT-15 Launched In Malaysia – Gets New Colour

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      2025 Yamaha MT-15 LaunchedYamaha MT-15 is one of the most popular street motorcycles in the world. Owing to its pricing, weight and performance it packs, it has been a sought after choice by many. In Malaysia, Yamaha has updated the MT-15 to MY25 version with a new colourway, while retaining the prices that MY24 version had. Let’s take a closer look.
      2025 Yamaha MT-15 Launched
      Yamaha has a successful premium 155cc motorcycle portfolio in India. We’re talking about MT-15 Street Fighter and R15 Supersport machines that have been extremely popular and sought after. In February 2025, Yamaha sold 9,490 units of MT-15 showing just how popular it is in the country.
      2025 Yamaha MT-15 Launched
      In Malaysia, however, Yamaha has updated MT-15 to MY25 version. If you’re looking at a host of updates and changes, you will not find any. Also, if you were expecting a price hike with this update to MY25 version, you would be pleasantly surprised as Yamaha has carried over MY24 prices.
      Speaking of, 2025 Yamaha MT-15 in Malaysia has been priced at RM 12,498 without registration taxes and insurance. This turns out to be around Rs 2.4 lakh. This is the same price Yamaha was selling MY24 version for. The main addition is a new Ice-Storm colourway that looks rather nice.
      2025 Yamaha MT-15 Launched
      It gets Ice Blue shade as highlight colour which can be seen on fuel tank, rear subframe panel and on both alloy wheels. This Ice Blue is darker than Cyan and lighter than Racing Blue offered in India. It looks cool and has a charm of its own. Something we wished Yamaha Motor India launched here as well.
      What else is new?
      Currently, Yamaha MT-15 is offered in Dark Matte Blue, Metallic Black, Cyan Storm DLX, Ice Fluo-Vermillion DLX, Metallic Black DLX, Racing Blue DLX and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition colourways in India. The addition of Ice-Storm colourway would spruce up the colour palette on this motorcycle.
      2025 Yamaha MT-15 Launched
      While at it, we wish Yamaha also updates MT-15’s instrumentation with the same TFT cluster seen on R15 and now on lower tier FZ-S FI Hybrid. At least as on option. Other than that 2025 Yamaha MT-15 launched in Malaysia has no changes over MY24 version. It gets the same Gold USD forks at front and mono-shock at the rear and disc brakes with dual-channel ABS.
      The 140-section rear tyre is fat and offers a lot of cornering ability. Powertrain continues to be the same 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC 4V/cyl VVA engine that can crank out around 18 bhp of peak power and 14.1 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. More

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      2025 Yamaha FZ-S FI Launch Price Rs 1.35L – Gets New Colours, Updates

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      2025 Yamaha FZ-S FI
      Yamaha has just updated the FZ-S FI in India to MY25. With this update, it will get a slight upwards price revision. The company has introduced a slight design revision as well as a few new colours to spruce up the MY25 version. Let’s take a closer look at these new changes with MY25 version of Yamaha FZ-S FI.
      2025 Yamaha FZ-S Launch
      Yamaha has launched the MY25 version of FZ-S FI in India rather silently. It features the exact same design, albeit with one minor revision, and offers a bunch of new colours. Four to be exact – Matte Black, Ice Fluo-Vermillion, Metallic Grey and Cyber Green. With these new colourways, Yamaha is offering a different aesthetic than the preceding model.
      New Yamaha FZ-S FI – Cyber Green
      Prices for 2025 Yamaha FZ-S FI start from Rs 1,34,800 (Ex-sh) and it remains the same for all colourways. This new pricing is Rs Rs 3,600 more than FZ-S FI Ver 4.0. We can see that Yamaha has dropped Ver 4.0 from this model’s name, a strategy we recently saw with FZ-S FI Hybrid as well.
      Speaking of, sales of Yamaha FZ-S FI Ver 4.0, FZ-S FI Ver 3.0 and FZ-FI are still live and are likely to stay that way until stocks last. The main update with MY25 FZ-S FI is in the engine department. It gets an updated powertrain which is compliant with latest and stricter BS6 OBD2B emission standards.
      New Yamaha FZ-S FI – Ice Fluo-Vermillion
      How to identify MY25 version apart from its predecessors? One might ask. Apart from the new colours, MY25 FZ-S FI has just one design change, which is subtle and can go easily unnoticed. The turn indicators. Yamaha has moved front turn indicators from headlight assembly to its tank shrouds. Also, the chrome around tank shrouds is now gloss Black.
      What is new?
      If you’re wondering whether 2025 Yamaha FZ-S FI gets the new TFT instrument cluster, that is exclusively offered with FZ-S FI Hybrid only. Which is priced at Rs 1,44,800 (Ex-sh). However, if you just want an FZ without any bells and whistles, Yamaha is still selling the older FZ-FI at a price point of 1,17,940 (Ex-sh).
      New Yamaha FZ-S FI – Matte Black
      2025 Yamaha FZ-S FI is powered by a 149cc single-cylinder air-cooled SOHC 2V/cyl engine that is capable of 12 bhp of peak power and 13.3 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. It weighs 137 kg, offers fat 140-section rear tyre, single-channel ABS, traction control, fully digital cluster with Y-Connect, LED headlights and more.
      New Yamaha FZ-S FI – Metallic Grey More