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    Dodge Hornet SUV, eMuscle EV Concept Set to Debut in August

    The Dodge Hornet—the brand’s first plug-in hybrid—is planned to debut in August, Stellantis CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed on Tuesday, per The Detroit News.The Hornet is expected to be based on the plug-in version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, but Kuniskis suggested supply chain issues might delay the Hornet’s launch. Dodge is also planning to unveil an electric muscle car concept this summer, but Kuniskis suggested this reveal could also be pushed back. Last fall, Stellantis confirmed that Dodge’s first plug-in hybrid would be shown in 2022. Rumors soon started circulating that the vehicle would be a small crossover SUV bearing the Hornet name (a rendering of which leads this piece). In February, not long after the reveal of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which offers a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, photos leaked of a Tonale sporting Dodge logos and styling cues—purportedly a prototype of the Hornet. Now Tim Kuniskis, chief executive officer of Dodge, has given credence to the rumors and leaked images, as he confirmed on Tuesday the Hornet will debut this summer, per The Detroit News.

    During a virtual news conference, Kuniskis shared that Dodge is preparing to show the Hornet in August. However, this plan could be affected by the supply chain issues that have been plaguing the car industry, halting production, and delaying launches. Kuniskis would not comment on where the Hornet will be built, but the SUV is expected to be assembled at the company’s plant in Pomigliano, Italy, which also builds the Tonale. The Tonale’s plug-in hybrid powertrain features a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-four and an electric motor at the rear axle, the combination of which nets a total of 272 horsepower. The Hornet will presumably arrive with a similar, if not identical, powertrain setup when it goes on sale in 2023.

    Dodge

    Dodge also plans to reveal a concept version of its electric muscle car, which is due in 2024, before the end of the year. Kuniskis said Dodge is aiming to show the concept before the Hornet’s reveal, but the brand still needs a key piece that is, “outside of my control, it’s outside our industry, quite frankly,” before the reveal can happen. Dodge’s first electric car will utilize the “eMuscle” name. A teaser for the vehicle reveals it will feature a boxy front end that’s reminiscent of the brand’s Chargers and Challengers of the 1960s and 1970s.
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    Honda Sales Breakup March 2022 – Activa, Dio, Shine, Grazia, CB350

    Honda Activa scooter was the best-selling model in the company lineup in domestic markets while it featured at No.10 in terms of exportsImage – The Bengal RiderHonda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has posted a 21.71 percent de-growth in terms of domestic sales in the past month. Exports on the other hand dipped 21.91 percent YoY. Total sales (domestic + exports) stood at 3,23,164 units in March 2022 from 4,12,816 units sold in March 2021.Honda sales in domestic markets dipped to 3,09,280 units last month. This was a 21.71 percent de-growth over 3,95,037 units sold in March 2021 leading to an 85,757 volume de-growth. Every model in the company lineup posted a YoY de-growth except for the Dream, CB650 and Africa Twin.Honda Sales Breakup March 2022 – Activa No 1Honda Activa scooter topped the sales charts with sales of 1,60,361 units last month, down 19.50 percent over 1,99,208 units sold in March 2021. The Activa commands a 51.85 percent share. No other model was able to see sales above the 1 lakh unit mark. Honda Activa 125 and 6G have recently received a price hike of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 respectively.At No. 2 was the Honda CB Shine. Sales dipped 19.29 percent to 95,197 units last month, down from 1,17,943 units sold in March 2021. This was a 22,746 volume de-growth while the CB Shine commands a 30.78 percent share. Honda Dio scooter sales fell 27.23 percent to 16,501 units from 22,677 units sold in March 2021. Honda Dio also got more expensive from 1st April 2022 and is now available from Rs 66,862.Honda Sales Breakup March 2022Honda Dream sales increased 83.30 percent YoY to 16,352 units from 8,921 units sold in March 2021. However, Unicorn 160 (12,889 units), Hness 350 (3,406 units) and Livo (2,731 units) suffered heavy YoY de-growth. Grazia sales dipped 94.21 percent to 398 units from 6,879 units sold in March 2021 while Hornet 2.0 sales fell to 368 units from 2,058 units sold in March 2021 leading to an 82.12 percent YoY de-growth. Honda noted increased demand for its CB650 and Africa Twin with sales increasing 170 percent and 88.89 percent to 27 units and 17 units respectively.Honda 2W Exports March 2022It was also a YoY de-growth in terms of exports that the company suffered in the past month. Exports fell to 13,884 units, down 21.91 percent over 17,779 units shipped in March 2021. The Honda Dio was the most exported model with 3,904 units shipped in March 2022, down 19.12 percent over 4,827 units sold in March 2021. The Dio commands a 28.12 percent share.Honda Navi exports increased 5.82 percent YoY to 3,548 units as compared to 3,353 units shipped in the same month last year. CB Shine saw lower exports to the extent of 47.74 percent to 1,790 units, down from 3,425 units shipped in March 2021 while X-Blade was the 4th highest export with 1,380 units shipped, up 34.24 percent YoY over 1,028 units exported in March 2021.Honda Exports Breakup March 2022Honda Dream exports fell 19 percent YoY to 1,040 units while the Unicorn 160 and CB350 saw demand in global markets increase 100 percent and 200 percent to 768 units and 450 units respectively in March 2022. Even as Livo (400 units) and Grazia (240 units) saw lower YoY exports, that of the Activa scooter increased 25.64 percent to 196 units. Aviator (160 units) and Hornet 160R (8 units) completed the export list while there were 0 units of Unicorn 150 and Hornet 2.0 exported last month. HMSI now plans an onslaught into the electric mobility space with new technologies such as flex-fuel, etc. The company plans a host of new EV offerings over the next couple of years. More

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    2012 Titan Adrenalin Industries Motorhome Is Our BaT Auction Pick

    • Designed for overlanding or doomsday scenarios, this RV is a mash-up of a camper and a military-grade truck chassis.• It has a Cummins diesel 6.7-liter inline-six, four-wheel drive, a queen-size bed, a shower, and roof-mounted solar panels.• Registered as a 2012 BAE Systems Titan motorhome, it currently has an $85k bid on Bring a Trailer, and the auction ends on Wednesday, May 4.If Instagram has taught me anything, it’s that people who have vans converted into campers are cooler and happier than I am. The proof is in the perfect composition of their photos, from the unwaveringly sunny vistas to their unquestionably authentic smiles. However, in the event of the Apocalypse, when even the brightest Insta filter can’t hide the hellscape in the background, I suspect the happy-go-lucky vibes of #vanlife to go on hiatus. Meanwhile, I’ll be getting the hell out of Dodge and seeking safety in this military-grade motorhome that I found on the Bring a Trailer auction site–which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos.

    Sure, this thing looks as inviting as an ice-cream truck in the Arctic Circle, but it’s that industrial aesthetic that captured my attention. Is it a truck? Is it a camper? Upon closer inspection, it’s a little bit of both. Beneath the camper portion is a medium-duty, flat-bed truck. While it features the same platform as trucks that BAE Systems supplied to the U.S. military, this example is said to be one of about 50 that were sold to civilians as part of the now seemingly defunct Titan Trucks brand.

    Bring a Trailer

    According to an old brochure, this 4×4 “Extreme Duty” chassis has a 153.0-inch wheelbase, measures 96.0 inches wide, and has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 24,700 pounds. Moving the 10-plus-ton machine is a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six, which in stock form is said to make as much as 325 horsepower and 860 pound-feet of torque. The engine pairs with a seven-speed automatic transmission and feeds all four wheels. The rear axle also has a locking differential to help in treacherous terrain. The truck rolls on a set of 10-lug wheels wrapped with 395/85R20 Goodyear MV/T tires that are rated for combat duty, and what’s good enough for Uncle Sam is good enough for me.Obviously, this Frankenstein RV has more than a few interesting features. Its roof has been reinforced so that it can be walked on, but most of the real estate on top is occupied by a 1200-watt solar-panel system. Above the roof of the cockpit is an aluminum storage bin that can be accessed by ladders on both sides. There are additional storage compartments on the bottom of the camper as well as two power-retractable awnings, LED auxiliary lighting, and even an exterior shower. The long steel bumper that pokes out from behind the truck also has a neat trick; it pivots and is connected to a winch that can raise it for a greater departure angle.

    Bring a Trailer

    Bring a Trailer

    Despite the RV’s military specifications, the inside of its aluminum camper looks a lot more comfortable than an army barracks. It might even be something you’d see in your grandparents’ Winnebago, except it’s a lot more stylish. There’s a queen-size bed and still room for serviceable kitchen space and a bathroom with a shower. A pair of folding bench seats with seat belts face each other in the middle of the camper, and when it’s time to eat or, say, play some cards, a wood table slides out from under the nearby bed frame. If things inside the camper get too hot or cold, there’s an air-conditioning unit and a diesel-powered heater. If things get too boring, there’s a TV and a JL audio system to blast some tunes. I can think of one especially fitting song by R.E.M.

    Bring a Trailer

    In the event that any of my passengers and I need some space as we try to survive the Apocalypse, the cab of the truck is separate from the camper. Up front, there’s a set of aftermarket racing seats that look comfy and supportive. The driving position is perfect for big-rig cosplay, with a sky-high seat height and a comically large steering wheel. The huge windshield and flat-nose configuration should provide excellent forward visibility. The truck’s abbreviated front overhang should provide terrific approach angles, and in the worst-case scenario of a zombie apocalypse, the steel front bumper will make for an excellent battering ram.
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    Ather Electric Scooter Prices April 2022 – In All Cities

    Ather has consistently expanded its dealer network and is now available in 30 cities across 15 statesAther Electric ScooterAn early entrant in the electric two-wheeler space, Ather Energy continues to mature as a reliable brand. The company has witnessed steady growth and is ranked among the top 10 electric two-wheeler brands. Sales will get a boost in coming months, as new dealerships are opened across the country.Ather dealer network updateWhen it had started out in 2018, Ather had presence in only a couple of cities. Around four years later, Ather has expanded across most of the major cities in the country. In the West, Ather has presence in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. Ather showrooms in northern and central India are available in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.Eastern states such as Assam and West Bengal have also been covered. Most dense network can be seen in the southern part of India, covering states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.Number of Ather dealerships are relatively more in this region, as compared to northern parts of the country. Ather is constantly looking to onboard new dealerships who may be willing to contribute to the EV revolution taking place in the country.Ather Electric Scooter Dealer Network as of April 2022Apart from expanding its dealer network, Ather is also focused on improving its charging infrastructure. Ather Grid currently has 350+ charging points across more than 30 cities. Users can quickly locate the nearest charging station via Ather app.Ather Grid points are equipped with DC fast chargers that can load battery power at the rate of 1.5 km per minute. Ather charging stations can be used by any electric vehicle that uses a 5 Amp charger. A lot more Ather Grid points are being added, which are playing a crucial role in eliminating the phenomenon of range anxiety.Ather electric scooter prices April 2022Prices of Ather electric scooters vary based on state subsidies and other exemptions such as NIL road tax and discounted RTO and registration charges. If we take Ather 450 Plus, it is the cheapest in Delhi. On-road price after FAME II and state subsidy is approx. Rs 1.24 lakh.Ather electric scooter prices – April 2022Delhi has been promoting the use of EVs by offering attractive subsidies. The state does not charge any road tax on electric two-wheelers and RTO / registration fee is among the lowest in the country. Other cities where on-road price of Ather 450 Plus is less than Rs 1.30 lakh include Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Nashik, Nagpur, Pune and Mumbai. These states too offer high EV subsidy and other concessions.Talking about Ather 450X, the scooter’s lowest on-road price is Rs 1.44 lakh in Delhi. At the other end of the spectrum, on-road price of the scooter is highest in Lucknow at Rs 1.75 lakh. 450 Plus is also costly at Rs 1.56 lakh in Lucknow. Other places where Ather scooters are relatively pricier include Noida, Gurugram, Malappuram, Tirur, Trivandrum, Kochi, Calicut, Siliguri, Guwahati and Indore. More

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    Tata Wins Record Contract For Electric Buses Worth Rs 5,000 Crores

    Tata Motors was the lowest bidder in the tender floated by Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) and will now supply 5,450 electric buses worth Rs 5,000 croresTata Electric BusIn a massive tender for 5,450 electric buses floated by Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) under the FAME II scheme, Tata Motors has emerged as the lowest bidder. The tenders were opened by Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) on Tuesday and contained the largest ever aggregation of 5,450 buses across five major cities of Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and SuratOther automakers who took part in this tender were Switch Mobility – the electric vehicle counterpart of Ashok Leyland, Evey Trans of the Olectra group and VECV – a JV between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors.After being declared as the lowest bidder for all five categories of the tender, Tata Motors will go on to supply 5,450 electric buses worth Rs 5,000 crores under. The margin of difference between L1 and L2 bidders in all categories was Rs 10.India’s Largest Electric Bus TenderThe bidding was conducted across 5 categories that included 12 meter low floor AC and non AC e-buses, 12 meter Standard floor non-AC and 9 meter standard floor AC and non-AC buses. The prices quoted by Tata Motors were the lowest ever and were on par or close to operational cost of diesel buses.25-seater Tata Ultra Urban 9/9 electric AC busesThe price quoted for 12 meter low floor non AC bus is Rs 43.49 per km while for the 9 meter non AC bus this goes down to Rs 39.21 per km. Quoted price stands at Rs 47.49 per km for 12 meter low floor AC bus and at Rs 44.99 per km for 12 meter standard floor AC bus. The lowest bid from Tata Motors for the 9 meter standard floor AC bus was at Rs 41.45 per km. Prices quoted are also inclusive of the cost of electricity for charging.As against Tata Motors’ lowest bid of Rs 44.99 per km for the 12 meter standard floor AC electric bus, Switch Mobility had quoted Rs 53.99 per km while for the 9 meter AC bus Evey Trans quoted Rs 54.27 per km and Rs 53.12 per km for non AC. The buses will take advantage of the FAME II subsidy offered by the Government of India which in turn will relate to Rs 361 crores which could be used to procure additional e-buses.e-buses to save 1.88 billion liters of fossil fuelThe terms of contract are for a period of 12 years, with assured 10 lakh kms per bus. As per calculations, the electric buses from Tata Motors will operate around 4.71 billion kms over the next 12 years. This will help save 1.88 billion liters of fossil fuel and result in 3.31 million tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions, making strong progress in terms of climate change.As a part of this tender, there will be a total of 25,000 job opportunities raised out of which 10 percent is reserved for women. This does not include any added employment created through new manufacturing facilities. More

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    Svitch Electric Motorcycle Launch By Aug 2022 – 120 Kms Range

    Svitch CSR 762 e-bike launch scheduled for July-August 2022, draws inspiration from Gujarat’s Asiatic LionsSvitch Electric Motorcycle CSR 762As it stands, India finds itself in a unique position in regard to electric two-wheelers. In recent times, a large number of new-age manufacturers have entered the space. In fact, electric two-wheeler manufacturers have now far exceeded the number of traditional two-wheeler brands operating here. Volumes too are growing, especially when FY22 is considered.Svitch MotoCorp Pvt. Ltd. is ready to launch their new electric motorcycle called CSR 762. The company says CSR 762 is for ‘young biking enthusiasts’. And is set to be launched by July-August 2022. The soft launch of the bike was held in November 2021.Svitch CSR 762 features a 3kW Motor that peaks at 10kW at 1300 RPM. A PMSM motor with a central drive system is being used. Battery capacity ranges upto 3.7kWh Li-ion, nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC). It goes without saying, the e-bike is aligned to be pollution free.Svitch Electric Motorcycle – certification and testingSvitch CSR 762 design language draws inspiration from Gujarat’s Asiatic Lions. The bike embodies the ‘spirit of pride, power and personality very sportingly’. CSR 762 is at certification stages. Internal testing has concluded. The brand says it has a stronghold over tier-1 cities. And now aims to make its presence felt in the city commute segment. CSR 762 target audience is the ‘middle-class automobile demographic’.Svitch Electric Motorcycle CSR 762 Top speed is pegged at 110KM/h. On a single charge, the e-bike goes 120 kms depending upon riding mode. Wheelbase stands at 1430 mm. Curb weight and weight capacity are stated at 155 kg, and 200 kg respectively.The rake is 24 degrees, and trail is 136mm. Seat height is 780 mm. 6 ride modes include 3 driving modes, 1 parking mode, 1 reverse mode, and 1 sports mode. Company growth plans include setting up battery swapping stations as per government policies.Svitch CSR 762 priceSvitch CSR 762 electric motorbike is expected to be available at a launch price estimated at around Rs 1.65 lakhs (tentative). Post subsidy, the electric motorcycle will cost about Rs 1.25 lakhs (tentative) basis upto subsidies worth 40k (tentative) offered as per GoI policy. Currently, the company is seeking channel partners to amplify the reach of its CSR 762 project. For this, the company has already put together a dedicated specialzied team.Rajkumar Patel, Founder of Svitch said, “We aim to revamp the Indian automobile sector with electric change and encourage Indians to re-think our way to commute, luxury, and recreation because we believe in precision and quality. The CSR 762 packs in a complete on-road riding experience which lays out a very strong notion that it is indeed a luxury for the layman. The vision to create CSR 762 is aimed at providing luxury, style, and sustainability all together for the biking enthusiasts.” More

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    Hero Vida Electric Scooter To Be Exported – Europe, South America

    EV exports will play a crucial role in helping Hero MotoCorp achieve its ambitious global sales targetImage for referenceWhile the likes of Bajaj and TVS currently dominate export markets, Hero MotoCorp is stepping up focus in this space. The company already has a presence across Latin America, Africa and Asian countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Hero MotorCorp EVs can be introduced at these locations and newer geographics like Europe as well.EVs to boost overseas businessAccording to Hero MotoCorp, its upcoming EVs will power the next phase of growth in overseas markets. Mature markets like Europe will be among the ones that will be targeted. There’s greater awareness about climate change at these locations and growing preference for EVs. Setting up charging and battery swapping infrastructure will also be more convenient in European countries.By 2025, Hero MotoCorp has plans to generate 15% of its overall sales from overseas markets. The strategy seems similar to Bajaj and TVS, which have been able to establish themselves as global two-wheeler brands.Export numbers of FY22 have been encouraging for Hero, as growth has zoomed to 57%. As compared to sales of 191,609 units in global markets in FY21, the numbers were at 300,624 units in FY22. This is the highest ever overseas sales numbers for the company.Hero MotoCorp First electric scooter under brand VIDAOne of the effective strategies Hero has deployed in overseas markets is to launch products that specifically suit local needs and preferences. For example, there’s Hunter 100 for Nigeria and Hunk 150 for the Middle East. Similarly, Hunk 200 has emerged as a popular choice in Latin American countries. There are also bikes such as Xpulse 200 and Xtreme 160R that have emerged as bestsellers across multiple geographies.Battery swapping infra pushHero MotoCorp will be launching its EVs under Vida brand. First Vida EV, which will be an electric scooter, is planned to be unveiled on July 1, 2022. The event marks the birth anniversary of the late Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the original founder of Hero MotoCorp. Vida electric scooter will be manufactured at the company’s production unit in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. Deliveries are expected to commence later in the year.Aiming to offer something truly unique, Hero MotoCorp will be replicating the Taiwan model in India. EVs with swappable batteries are the most preferred in Taiwan and much of the business is owned and operated by Gogoro. Hero has forged an alliance with Gogoro to develop similar battery swapping infrastructure in India. This collaboration is likely to be utilized for global markets as well.Gogoro has also played a role in the development of the Vida electric scooter. Much of the work has been carried out at Hero’s in-house R&D centres. Inputs have been sourced from Ather Energy as well. Hero MotoCorp has consistently increased its shareholding in Ather and currently holds 34.8% stake. However, there doesn’t seem to be any plans for a merger. Ather will continue on its journey as a separate EV brand. More

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    2022 Tata Nexon Electric Testing Continues – Launch Nears

    Tata Nexon EV has been a runaway success and now a more powerful version is about to be unveiled2022 Tata Nexon ElectricKnown unofficially as extended-range Nexon EV, the vehicle is likely to launch on April 29. It features a 40kWh battery, which will increase the SUV’s range to over 400 km in ideal test conditions. The present Nexon Electric has a 30.2kWH battery which is 30 percent less powerful than the new Nexon’s battery pack.The new Nexon EV’s floor pan will be enlarged to accommodate the larger battery and this will result in boot space getting smaller but that is a small sacrifice to make given that range will substantially improve. The existing Nexon Electric has an ARAI-tested range of 312 km. However, in real world conditions, Nexon EV manages to cover around 180 to 220 km on a single charge while extended-range version is expected to have real-world range of over 300 km.Tata Motors will not discontinue the present Nexon Electric once the new one is launched but will continue selling it giving customers choice in terms of price and range. Test mules of the upcoming Nexon Electric have been spotted going through the paces since the start of the year. Latest spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast murthyksk, who spotted the EV when it was testing near Cubbon Park in Bangalore.2022 Tata Nexon Electric ChangesSpy pics of test vehicles have revealed not many exterior or interior changes but it is under the skin where most of the changes have happened. The new Nexon EV will get different regeneration modes, which would allow drivers to dial-up/down intensity of regenerative braking, which charges the battery. The existing Nexon Electric has a milder, non-adjustable variable regeneration system.2022 Tata Nexon ElectricThe new version will also get cruise control, ventilated seats and electronic stability control among other features. With these updates and a larger battery, expect the new Nexon to be around Rs 3-4 lakh more expensive than the current one.Value For MoneyNexon Electric is well liked by buyers and as a result it has become one of the most successful electric cars on sale in India at the moment. In this price sensitive segment, what has wowed buyers is the impressive range they get out of the vehicle for not that much money. As an intra-city runabout, Nexon EV is ideal making it more value for money than higher priced rivals.As charging infrastructure is slowly but surely improving along highways, more and more people have started venturing out of cities in their electric vehicles and this is generating demand for longer-ranged EVs. This is the segment Tata Motors will target with the 2022 Nexon Electric.The new Nexon Electric will go up against MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV, but will be cheaper than both. However, rivals are upping the game with MG recently launching spruced up 2022 ZS EV with a larger 50.3kWh battery along with refreshed exteriors and interiors and a comprehensive equipment list. Hyundai is also planning to launch the facelifted Kona EV this year. More