Ahoy Bikes launched an electroluminescent-technology-based bike, which enhances the safety of riders and aspirational value.
The new technology uses an electroluminescent paint-like coating system, which emits light when an electric current is passed through it, increasing the bike’s visibility through many types of atmospheric conditions such as dark fog, snow, and smoke. “In India, one of the major concerns of cyclists is safety, especially when the visibility is low. Second, most people do not find any aspirational value with their bicycles, unlike motorcycles and cars. There are very few people who own a bicycle with pride. The new bicycle will also appeal to young kids and encourage them to take physical activities,” said Abhishek Mitra, Director, Ahoy Bikes.
The company had started working on electroluminescent technology during the lockdown. It had joined hands with the US-based company Lumilor. The main task for the company was to make the electroluminescent-technology affordable for Indian consumers. “We have been working on the technology to get the cost down and bring it in the affordability range. This is the first electroluminescent bicycle, the production model that has been launched on a mass scale project,” Mitra said. A wide range of Luminous bikes will be available at an affordable price range. The prices begin at INR 20,000 onwards.
The company also manufactures all-terrain bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, kids bikes and balance bikes.
Like other bicycle companies, Ahoy is also experiencing a surge in demand post COVID. According to him, the demand for bicycles has surged between 300 percent to 350 percent post-COVID due to growing health consciousness and adaptation of social distancing and gyms closure.
According to the All-India Cycles Manufacturers Association, the bicycle industry was growing at 5-7 percent every year, but it is now expected to grow at 15-20 percent because of the coronavirus pandemic, led by a surge in first-time users.
As per the industry data, India is the second-largest manufacturer and the third consumer of bicycles globally. India manufacturers 22 million bicycles every year, with an annual turnover of INR 7,000 crore. According to industry numbers, 22 million cycles were sold in 2018-19, and 18 million were sold in 2019-20.
Talking about growing trends from bicyclists, Mitra pointed out that Indian consumers are looking for the product’s right value. “Customers want quality products. They are ready to spend a little bit more where they can find value in the products. We are giving the best of the class quality bikes with the best of class components. We are trying to offer different products in the industry so that customers can feel good about the product,” he said.
Ahoy Bikes would also make customisation options available with this new technology for cyclists willing to customise their existing bicycles.
Indian consumers are also largely influenced by international brands in terms of weight, features and performance. According to him, different bicyclist enthusiasts have other choices, and the company targets the mid-premium segment and consumers who want to upgrade their basic bicycles.
The company also sees itself entering the safety gear segment, but not soon. “Yes, we have plans to get into bicycle safety gear business, but let’s see when we can utilise them,” he added.
Ahoy has around 200 dealers in its network across the country, mainly concentrating in the North and West regions. Ahoy aims to heighten the number of dealers to 350 in FY21-22 with an increasing focus on the south region.
As for its product strategy, Ahoy also intends to attract dealers through its distinctive products instead of ramping up dealer numbers. “We do not want to push our products to the dealers. We are trying to create products that differentiate ourselves in the market and create a pull factor. And the new electroluminescent-technology-based bikes is an example of it,” he said.
Tractions on the e-commerce portal have surged, especially after COVID surge. However, Mitra thinks buying a bicycle online is yet not a convenient mode for consumers. “Buying a bicycle online is easy. But getting it assembled and serviced is a challenge. You get the bicycle’s delivery in a semi-assembled state and, to assemble it, you need to find a professional mechanic for whom you will have to pay. Even the dealer from which you can get the bicycle assembled will not be pleased about your online purchase. Let me say that too. Maybe he will charge you more. So deliberately, we are not getting into e-commerce, but we are trying to get into omnichannel sales. Consumers can visit our website and get to know about the products and buy them from the website or from the nearest dealer. If a consumer buys from the website, we deliver the product through our dealer only in a fully assembled state. That’s how we promote our dealers as well,” explained the Ahoy Director.
Ahoy entered the bicycle manufacturing business in 2018. However, the company has been in the industry for over three decades supplying components from plastic moulded and PVC components to OEMs. The component manufacturing business it shelved in 2016-17 and started a bicycle making factory in Delhi NCR 2018, and the Ahoy brand was launched. The knowledge of the bicycle component business has helped Ahoy to expand its current business rapidly.
“The biggest advantage was for us was a network of OEMs, suppliers and vendors across the country we have built over the years. We had supplied the components to OEMs and dealers, procured raw materials vendors over three decades, and created our credibility. Those three decades in the bicycle component business helped us to understand the industry deeply. Being a component maker, we visited various factories from OEMs, suppliers, and vendors. They shared their knowledge and experience about the business, which would have been impossible if we had been only into bicycle manufacturing. We also understood the pain points of the suppliers, vendors and consumers, and that’s where our products find values,” he said.
Ahoy has no plans to export bicycles in the near future. Electric motor-driven bicycles are gaining popularity in India. He also sees the future as e-mobility but added the company does not have any plans to manufacture e-bicycles. “As of now, we are focusing our energies on building, you know, this particular kind of products which are different for different from what other people are offering,” he said.
The company has a production capacity of producing 20,000 units per month. The current challenge for Ahoy is the supply of components to make bicycles. “Demand for bicycle has gone up exponentially, but the supply chain has gone up haywire. Supply-demand has widened,” he added. (MT)
India Bike Week Shifts From Goa To Panchgani Hills For 2025 Edition
- By MT Bureau
- December 02, 2025
India Bike Week (IBW), presented by Gulf Syntrac, has shifted its 2025 venue from Goa to Panchgani, Maharashtra. The move, executed due to the rescheduling of Zilla Parishad elections in Goa to the IBW dates, means riders will now converge in the Deccan hills on 19th and 20th December 2025.
IBW 2025 will transform Panchgani into a high-altitude playground for riders, featuring new trails, cooler winds, bonfire nights, camping and after-parties. The edition promises IBW’s line-up yet, offering motorcycling experiences across multiple terrains – from hill climbs and mud trails to manufacturer-led road tests.
Martin Da Costa, Founder and CEO, Seventy Event Media Group, said, “As we celebrate 12 years of India Bike Week, it’s incredible to witness how this festival has grown into one of the world’s most spirited motorcycling gatherings. Although circumstances pushed us to shift venues this year, our ethos remains the same – community, adventure, and the freedom to explore. Panchgani offers us a fresh canvas and IBW 2025 is shaping up to be our most exciting edition yet.”
IBW’s 12th edition includes showcases such as the Endurance Stunt Show by Pol Tarres powered by Gulf Syntrac, the Wheelie Experience by Aprilia and India’s Test Ride Arena featuring the majority of India’s premium motorcycle line-up, now including a showcase by the Gulf TrackHouse MotoGP Team.
Over 10 riding experiences await, from the Pulsar Stunt School to a dedicated Kids’ Mini Moto Track by Vida’s Dirt-E K3, along with masterclasses led by expert creators and overlanders.
Competitive racing will feature on FMSCI-backed tracks such as the IBW Hill Climb by Reise Moto and Harley-Davidson Flat Track Race.
The Skoda Kodiaq All-Wheel Drive Track makes its debut, offering driving and off-road challenges.
Presented by Carlsberg Elephant Strong Soda, the festival’s music line-up includes performances by King, Karan Kanchan, Sugga Honey, along with Harley-Davidson Rock Riders’ Music featuring Antariksh.
The BIG TRIP presented by Gulf Syntrac returns with a compelling line-up. Twelve speakers – including global overlanding legends Simon & Lisa Thomas, Elspeth Beard, Zubin Jaafar and storytellers Kshitij Saxena, Gautham AG, Candida Louis and Maral Yazarloo – will bring narratives of grit, resilience and exploration.
The Ladakh Tent presented by Carlsberg Elephant Strong Soda hosts discussions, including ‘India on Two Wheels,’ a Storytellers Roundtable, ‘RTW 101,’ and ‘Women in Motorsports.’
The Jameson Connects Howling Dog space brings together creators, rider groups, and lifestyle influencers.
Hero MotoCorp Clocks 31% Sales Uptick In November Amid Continued Demand
- By MT Bureau
- December 02, 2025
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, registered dispatches of 604,490 units in November 2025, marking a 31 percent YoY growth.
In the domestic market, the company sold 570,520 two-wheelers, up 30 percent YoY, as against 439,777 units sold last year. On the exports front, the sales came at 33,970 units, as against 20,028 units, marking a 70 percent increase YoY.
This performance sustains the growth momentum following the festive season, driven by positive consumer sentiment across urban and rural markets, supported by GST benefits and a macroeconomic landscape.
VAHAN registrations showed strong domestic demand, with 886,330 units registered in November 2025. Retail registrations grew 26 percent to 1,882,739 units for the combined period of October and November 2025, reflecting dealership and consumer demand.
The company's performance was supported by the success of new models such as the Xtreme 125R, GlamourX 125, Destini 110, and Xoom 160.
VIDA, powered by Hero, sustained its growth trajectory with 12,199 VAHAN registrations, reflecting a 66 percent growth compared to the same period last year. The company strengthened its position in the EV sector, capturing a 10.4 percent market share. The VIDA Evooter VX2 continued to drive retail growth and sales volume, and the company also expanded the line-up with the VX2 Go 3.4 kWh variant.
Suzuki Motorcycle India Sells 122,300 Units In November 2025
- By MT Bureau
- December 01, 2025
Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has announced its sales performance for November 2025, recording total sales of 122,300 units. This marks a strong 30 percent YoY growth over 94,370 units sold in November 2024.
In the domestic market, the sales touched 96,360 units last month, which was 23 percent growth over 78,333 units a year ago.
On the exports front, sales grew 62 percent reaching 25,940 units in November, up from 16,037 last year.
Additionally, SMIPL’s aftersales business continued gaining momentum with spare parts sales of INR 955 million in November.
Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “We are grateful for the growing confidence our customers place in Suzuki. Their support, along with the dedicated efforts of our dealer network, continues to drive our growth. Alongside strengthening our presence, we are also expanding customer engagement initiatives and experience-led programs to bring riders closer to the brand. We will continue to invest in enhancing accessibility, after-sales experience, and community-building as we work towards sustained growth.”
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Clocks 25% Sales Growth In November
- By MT Bureau
- December 01, 2025
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has reported wholesales of 591,136 units in November 2025, up 25 percent YoY.
The total sales figure for the month included 533,645 units in domestic sales and 57,491 units in exports.
During the period, the automaker continued its commitment towards road safety by organising awareness campaigns across various cities nationwide, encouraging responsible road behaviour through interactive learning.
HMSI also celebrated Children’s Month with a Kids Carnival across all its manufacturing facilities, Traffic Training Parks (TTPs), and Safety Driving Education Centers (SDECs). The initiative, themed ‘Safety Explorers: Journey Through Traffic Land,’ aimed to make road safety learning engaging for children while promoting safe habits from an early age.
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