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    Honda Shine 100cc Production Starts – First Batch Dispatched To Dealers

    Honda Shine 100cc Production StartsHonda Shine 100cc will rival commuter bikes such as Hero Splendor, Hero HF100, HF Deluxe and Bajaj Platina 100
    Hero Splendor that had positioned itself at No.1 on sales charts in India is set to get a new rival in the form of the Honda Shine 100cc. This new commuter bike has been launched at Rs 64,900 (ex-showroom). This is an introductory price which is set to be increased in due course.
    Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has reported a YoY growth of 6.14 percent in domestic sales in Apr 2023. There was also a 71.28 percent MoM growth in sales. With the new Shine 100cc, Honda can now hope for increased sales in coming months.
    Honda Shine 100cc Production Starts
    Honda has announced the start of production of Shine 100cc. First batch has rolled out the company plant in Narasapura (Karnataka). Dispatch to dealers across India has also started. Deliveries to customers will commence in a few days.
    The new Honda Shine 100 is being offered in 5 colours of Black with Red Stripes, Black with Blue Stripes, Black with Green Stripes, Black with Gold Stripes and Black with Grey Stripes. Where ergonomics are concerned, the new Shine gets a long seat of 677mm, low ride height of 786mm, ground clearance of 168mm and wheelbase of 1,245mm.
    New Honda Shine 100cc – Brochure
    It commands a turning radius of 1.9 meters. On board features also include aluminum grab handles, attractive front cowl, uniquely designed fuel tank, halogen headlamp and distinctive tail lamp. It rides on black finished alloy wheels while other features include side stand with engine inhibitor and Combi-Brake System (CBS) with equalizer. It also sports an analogue instrument cluster with speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge.
    Honda Shine 100 – Engine
    The Honda Shine gets a 99.7 cc, air cooled, single cylinder engine that offers 7.6 hp power and 8.05 Nm torque mated to a 4 speed constant mesh gearbox. Power offered by its arch rival Hero Splendor is marginally higher at 8 hp while torque figure remains the same. Honda confirms that performance and fuel efficiency will be the best in the segment. Though mileage figures are not yet revealed, expected mileage could be in the 60-70 km/l range.
    The 100cc engine gets fuel injection and Solenoid which allows for a smoother start in any type of weather conditions while it also prevents the engine from starting if the side stand is engaged. The engine is OBD – 2 compliant and is capable of running on E20 fuel which is petrol with 20 percent ethanol blend.
    Honda Shine 100 which is based on a new diamond-type frame, gets telescopic forks in the front and dual spring-loaded shock absorbers at the rear. Braking is via drum brakes at the front and rear with combined braking system as standard. Honda is also offering the new Shine 100 with a special 6 year warranty pack of 3 years standard and 3 years optional. Besides rivaling Hero Splendor, the new Honda Shine 100, which is offered in a single variant will also compete with the Hero HF Deluxe and HF 100 and also with the Bajaj Platina 100. More

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    Hero MotoCorp Sales April 2023 – 3.68 L Motorcycles, 27k Scooters

    Hero Super SplendorThe company expects sales in the coming months to increase significantly thanks to new product launches, healthy GDP growth in India as well as more positive consumer sentiments
    Hero MotoCorp has opened the first month of the new financial year having suffered a YoY and MoM decline in sales. The company ended FY 2022-23 on a positive note with sales at 53,28,546 units in the April-March 2023 period which related to an 8 percent growth as against 49,44,150 units sold in FY 2021-22.
    Hero MotoCorp total sales dipped by 5.38 percent to 3,96,107 units in April 2023. This was as against 4,18,622 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales also fell by 23.73 percent from 5,19,342 units sold in March 2023.
    Hero MotoCorp Sales April 2023
    Hero MotoCorp has recorded a de-growth in terms of motorcycle sales in the past month. Sales fell to 3,68,830 units in April 2023, down 6.06 percent YoY from 3,92,627 units sold in April 2022. This was a YoY volume decline of 23,797 units with motorcycles commanding a 93.11 percent share. MoM sales were also in the red by 24.09 percent from 4,85,896 units sold in March 2023 with a 1,17,066 unit volume decline.
    Scooter sales on the other hand grew on a YoY basis by 4.93 percent to 27,277 units in April 2023 up from 25,995 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales however, fell by 18.44 percent from 33,446 units sold in March 2023. The recently launched Xoom 110cc scooter has been doing well in sales. It is available in three variants – LX, VX and ZX and priced from Rs 68,599-76,699 (ex-showroom).
    Hero MotoCorp Sales April 2023
    Total domestic sales (motorcycles + scooters) were down by 3.09 percent YoY to 3,86,184 units in April 2023 from 3,98,490 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales also fell by 23.18 percent over 5,02,730 units sold in March 2023. Exports also suffered YoY and MoM decline by 50.71 percent and  40.27 percent respectively with only 9,923 units shipped in April 2023.
    Hero MotoCorp Sales April 2023
    Hero MotoCorp in April 2023
    During the past month, a custom built Harley-Davidson Road King was presented to a specially-abled employee, Chitra Zutshi. The bike was handed over at a ceremony held at Hero’s Global Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. Chitra piloted the bike on a testing track under the supervision of an expert.
    Hero MotoSports Team Rally also concluded a run at Sonora Rally 2023. The team was represented by Ross Branch and Sebastian Buhler in the first event held in North America, finishing at 7th and 10th positions respectively. The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has VIDA as the official electric mobility brand partner of the Lucknow Super Giants.  More

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    Ather Mandating Dot Charger? Portable Charger To Cost Extra?

    Ather Dot Charger
    Ather Dot charger and Portable charger have their own unique benefits, which is why customers need to have the option to choose
    Ather 450X electric scooter can be charged in a home environment or via the Ather Grid charging network. The Grid is accessible for only the top-spec Ather 450X Pro Pack variant. For home charging, the options available are the wall-mounted Dot charger and the easy-to-carry Portable charger.
    However, as per inputs provided by a user, Ather now seems to be mandating the Dot charger with the scooter. Earlier, buyers had the option to choose between Dot charger and Portable charger at the time of making the payment. Now, it appears that Dot charger is part of standard equipment. Anyone who needs the Portable charger will have to pay extra.
    Different needs, different chargers
    Both Dot charger and Portable charger have their unique advantages. Dot charger seems more hassle free, as one does not need to carry the charger with them or worry about forgetting it or misplacing it.
    The Dot charger comes with all the required installation accessories. It can be installed by Ather on request or by any local electrician. Once installed, the Dot charger is like having a fuel pump installed right inside your home.
    Ather Portable Charger
    However, Dot charger won’t be suitable for folks who have varying commuting schedule. This is especially true in case there aren’t enough Ather Grid stations in the city. Also, 450X base-spec owners will anyways won’t have access to the Grid. Another limitation of Dot charger is that it will work with only the owner’s scooter. It will not work with any other Ather scooter. But users have the option to approach Ather customer helpline and request to link the charger with the scooter ID.
    Ather Portable charger seems more convenient, as it works just like a laptop charger. Any 5A socket can work for Ather Portable charger. It can be easily carried anywhere under the seat. Portable charger also makes sense for folks who switch houses and cities quite often. The Portable charger is not linked to any specific scooter ID and can be used to charge any Ather scooter.
    Users may end up with 2 chargers
    If the Dot charger is part of standard equipment, users wanting the Portable charger will end up with two chargers for their Ather scooter. They will also need to pay extra to get the Portable charger. This will result in wastage of resources.
    It remains to be seen how Ather responds to feedback from users. If there’s sizeable pushback, it is possible that Ather may bring back the option to choose between the Dot charger and the Portable charger. Clearly, there’s no technical or safety issue with the Portable charger, as it is available at additional price. Mandating Dot charger may not impact Ather scooter sales, but it seems a bit unsettling for folks who prefer a portable charger. More

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    2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Now Costs Less and Ekes Out More Range

    The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is getting a battery upgrade for the standard range models, swapping out the lithium-ion units for new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) units.The new 70.0-kWh batteries add a few extra miles of range, with rear-wheel drive models targeting a 250-mile EPA estimate and all-wheel drive versions improving to 226 miles.The Mach-E is now cheaper as well, with the base Select trim start $3000 less and the Premium trim seeing a $4000 cut.Major updates are coming to the Ford Mustang Mach-E for the second half of 2023. New batteries for the standard-range models promise increased EPA range estimates and extra power for all-wheel-drive models, while all Mach-Es will now have BlueCruise capability. The changes also come with cheaper prices across the board.All standard range Mach-Es trade the existing lithium-ion batteries for new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which Ford is currently purchasing from Chinese battery maker CATL. A dedicated factory will open in Michigan in 2026 and will build CATL’s LFP batteries under license. The new packs in the standard range Mach-Es still have a 70.0-kWh capacity, but the new chemistry unlocks a few extra miles of range. Rear-wheel-drive models increase from 247 miles to a targeted 250-mile EPA estimate, while all-wheel-drive standard range Mach-Es see a bump from 224 to 226 miles. The new batteries also lead to a 45-horsepower boost for all-wheel-drive standard range Mach-Es. Andi Hedrick|Car and DriverFord also says that standard range models will now be able to fully recharge more often when using AC home charging, while five minutes was shaved off the DC fast-charging time. Ford now estimates that standard range Mach-Es will take just 33 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent charge. Extended range versions of the Mach-E are unaffected by the updates, continuing to use the same 91.0-kWh lithium-ion battery packs. All Mach-Es are also now assembled with the required hardware for BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free highway driving system. Customers will receive a free 90-day trial, with the option to activate the system as a subscription later on. A three-year subscription can also be added with initial purchase of the vehicle. The latest version of BlueCruise sees hands-free lane changes when the driver activates the turn signal, and the Mach-E will also adjust its position within lanes to give larger vehicles like semi-trucks a wider berth.More Ford EV NewsThe upgrades at the Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico plant where Mach-Es are built will see an increase in production, allowing Ford to reopen the order books for the popular electric crossover which sold nearly 40,000 units last year. Prices are down across the lineup, with the Select trim dropping by $3000, starting at $44,795, and Premium models costing $4000 less, opening at $48,795. Adding the extended battery for Premium trim is still a $7000 upgrade, but the extended range California Route 1 edition is $1000 cheaper at $58,795 and the high-performance GT model is $4000 more affordable at $61,795. Adding the Performance Edition package to the Mach-E GT now costs $5000, $1000 less than before. The upgraded Mach-Es are still 2023 model year cars—owners will be able to identify which battery they have using the owner’s manual or their vehicle’s VIN.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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    Mansory P900 G63 Makes 900 HP – Don’t Let the Beige Color Scheme Fool You

    Mansory revealed a new P900 version of the Mercedes-AMG G63 with an exclusive Desert Sand Gloss paint option.As the name implies, Mansory’s P900 version of the G63 brings output to 900 horsepower.Like all of Mansory’s creations, both the interior and exterior of the G63 have been completely overhauled. Even in stock form, the Mercedes-AMG G63, or G-wagen, turns heads. Mansory is famous for taking that formula and increasing attention by any means necessary. The newest creation/modification project from Mansory is a version of the P900 finished in an exclusive Desert Sand Gloss paint with lots of forged carbon-fiber pieces. MansoryThe German tuners are back with another over-the-top creation for the G63. While the G63’s styling is already quite bold, the Mansory version takes it up multiple notches. A monstrosity of a f0rged carbon-fiber hood with a massive hood scoop replaces the standard hood, while even more forged carbon replaces every piece of exterior trim. The huge SUV rides on a new set of 24-inch forged wheels. A new forged carbon wing is placed at the back of the car, though it feels a bit like a bandage on a bullet wound situation in terms of added downforce. A pair of light bars are set at the front of the car for the one Mansory customer who actually takes their P900 off-road. The interior theme matches the ostentatious nature of the exterior. Tan diamond stitch leather wraps the majority of the interior, with forged carbon covering the remaining surfaces. Mansory decided for some reason that a second engine start/stop button is necessary on the roofline, but they deemed it unnecessary to remove the factory-installed button. The Mercedes logos are all gone from the headrests, replaced by Mansory’s own logo, lest you forget what you paid for. MansoryLike the name implies, the 577-hp V-8 from the standard G63 is cranked up to 900 horsepower in the P900. According to Mansory, the zero-to-62-mph time is brought down to around 3.3 seconds, with the car reaching a top speed of around 155 mph. As absurd as the new P900 is, it is relatively subtle as far as Mansory-built cars are concerned. The basic G63 shape remains intact, and the body is mostly one color, as opposed to the Bentley shown below. Mansory VehiclesThis 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 EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

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    Yezdi Launched In Nepal – Prices NPR 9.16 Lakh (Rs 5.72 Lakh)

    Yezdi Launched In NepalThe same 334cc single-cylinder engine with a 4V head and liquid cooling does duties on all Yezdi motorcycles launched in Nepal
    Mahindra-owned Classic Legends have revived the Yezdi brand along with Jawa. Yezdi’s resurgence mainly targets Royal Enfield’s lion’s share in classic and retro motorcycle segment. For Nepal, Classic Legends have partnered with Agni Moto Inc Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Agni Group as authorized distributor.
    Yezdi’s entire portfolio is launched in Nepal. We’re talking about Roadster, Scrambler and Adventure motorcycles. Agni Moto priced NPR 9.16 lakh for Roadster, NPR 9.4 lakh for Scrambler and NPR 9.98 lakh for Adventure.
    Yezdi Motorcycle Range Launched In Nepal
    Today’s currency exchange rates translate into an (ex-sh) price of Rs. 5.74 lakh for Roadster, Rs. 5.89 lakh for Scrambler and Rs. 6.26 lakh for Adventure. In comparison, Yezdi Roadster costs Rs. 2.01 lakh for Roadster, Scrambler costs Rs. 2.08 lakh and Adventure costs Rs. 2.13 lakh (ex-sh) in India. This is a perfect example of perks for domestic manufacturing.
    All Yezdi motorcycles come equipped with the same 334cc single-cylinder engine. All three motorcycles get different tuning. In Nepal, Roadster generates 29.23 bhp and 29 Nm, Scrambler develops 29.1 bhp and 28.2 Nm and Adventure kicks out 30.2 bhp and 29.9 Nm. These performance figures are in the same ballpark as we get in India. Yezdi equips all its motorcycles with a 6-speed gearbox, a 4V head and a liquid-cooling setup.
    Yezdi Motorcycles Launch Price In Nepal
    Even though the engine is liquid-cooled, Yezdi took the extra mile and added fins to its casing. Paying tribute to Yezdis of the yesteryear, which is nice attention to detail. All motorcycles get LED lighting all around, a fully digital instrument cluster, 320mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. Only Scrambler and Adventure get Bluetooth connectivity.
    Style & Substance
    The neo-retro design theme is present across the portfolio. Elements that amplify this are round headlights, minimal body panels, fins on its engine and more. Yezdi Roadster gets 18” front and 17” rear alloy wheels, Scrambler gets 19” front and 17” rear wire-spoke wheels and Adventure gets 21” front and 17” rear spoke wheels.
    Both Roadster and Scrambler get a smaller 12.5L fuel tank, but Adventure gets a larger 15.5L fuel tank. Rider’s triangle is different across Yezdi’s motorcycle lineup, suiting respective body styles.
    Roadster gets Smoke Grey, Inferno Red, Crimson, Steel Blue, Hunter Green, Sin Silver and Gallant Grey shades. Scrambler gets Fire Orange, Outlaw Olive, Yelling Yellow, Bold Black, Midnight Blue, Rebel Red and Mean Green colours. That said, Yezdi only offers Adventure in Slick Silver and Mambo Black in Nepal. More

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    2024 Toyota Tacoma Will Keep the Manual Transmission Alive

    Toyota confirmed today that the 2024 Tacoma will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission.No other details were provided, but we expect it to be a modified version of the six-speed stick shift in the outgoing model.The 2024 Tacoma should debut within the next few months.Toyota continued its lengthy teaser campaign for the upcoming 2024 Tacoma today. Although the Japanese automaker still hasn’t divulged when we will see the next-generation mid-size pickup, the teaser confirmed that the new Tacoma will keep enthusiasts happy by retaining an available manual transmission.The image doesn’t reveal much, simply showing the three pedals that will reside in the 2024 Tacoma’s footwell. Toyota did say that the row-it-yourself transmission will feature six forward gears, but was tight-lipped on other details. We expect the manual gearbox to be an updated version of the six-speed stick shift in the outgoing Tacoma rather than an all-new unit, but we’re just glad Toyota is still committed to saving the manual transmission. More on the Next TacomaWe expect the Tacoma to debut at some point this summer, and we already have a few hints of what to expect. Toyota started off in April by teasing the tailgate of a hard-core off-road TRD Pro model, showing an iForce Max badge that suggests that the Tacoma may receive a hybrid powertrain like its Tundra big sibling. Toyota also announced that the Tacoma will add a new trim called Trailhunter, a name Toyota first teased with a Tundra concept at the 2022 SEMA show. The Tacoma Trailhunter is expected to focus on overlanding, with the teaser image showing an ARB rear bumper and a large frame-mounted tow hook. Most recently, an image of the TRD Pro’s rear wheel revealed that it will wear rear disc brakes for the first time. Toyota also teased the TRD Pro’s rugged suspension, which will feature a Fox QS3 coil-over and keep the signature TRD Pro red spring. More information will arrive with the full reveal in the coming months. 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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    Charging Customers for Chargers? Ola Electric to Refund Rs 130 Crores

    Ola Electric Scooter Charger. Image – Ride With Ayan
    Ola Electric to refund Rs 130 crore to customers for overcharging on charging accessories/offboard chargers
    Ola Electric has announced that it will refund Rs 130 crore to customers who purchased charging accessories/ offboard chargers for their vehicles. This decision comes after an investigation initiated by the FAME found that the accessories were being sold at an additional price, in violation of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme guidelines.
    Under the FAME scheme guidelines, integral parts such as chargers and proprietary software are not supposed to be sold as accessories above the price of the vehicle. This is to ensure that vehicle prices remain within a limit and to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Violations of these guidelines can result in subsidies being withheld from the companies.
    Ola Electric faces consequences for violating FAME guidelines on charging accessory prices
    Ola Electric sold off-board chargers as accessories for its S1Pro scooter at a price ranging from Rs 9,000 to Rs 19,000, which resulted in an overcharge of Rs 130 crore to customers.
    Ola Electric accepted the findings of the investigation and agreed to refund the overcharged amount to customers. The reimbursement applies to billings generated from FY 2019-20 until March 30, 2023.
    Ola Electric Scooter Charger
    Ola Electric’s refund: a victory for electric scooter customers
    The decision to refund Rs 130 crore to customers who purchased charging accessories for their Ola S1Pro scooter is a significant win for them. Customers who were overcharged will receive their money back, and this move will help to increase the adoption of electric vehicles in the country. It also sets a precedent for other companies who have violated FAME guidelines to follow suit and refund their customers.
    A lesson for companies to follow FAME pricing and accessory guidelines
    Ola Electric’s decision to refund its customers is a step in the right direction towards encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in India. It also sends a clear message to other companies that violations of FAME guidelines will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable for their actions. Going forward, it is essential that all companies adhere to the guidelines set by the government to ensure that the transition to electric vehicles is smooth and successful.
    In conclusion, the refund of Rs 130 crore by Ola Electric to its customers who purchased charging accessories for their vehicles is a welcome move. It not only benefits customers but also sends a clear message to other companies that FAME guidelines must be followed. This decision will go a long way in encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in the country, and it is hoped that other companies will follow suit.
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