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)

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has introduced a vibrant new dual-tone colour for its sporty 125cc scooter – Suzuki Avenis.

The scooter is now available in new Metallic Matte Platinum Silver No. 2 / Glass Sparkle Black colour, in addition to the existing Glossy Sparkle Black / Pearl Glacier White, Glossy Sparkle Black / Pearl Mira Red, and Glossy Sparkle Black.

Mechanically unchanged, the Suzuki Avenis continues to be powered by a BS6 OBD-2B-compliant 124.3cc, all aluminium, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that is BS6 OBD-2B compliant, which produces 8.7 PS @ 6,750 rpm and 10 Nm @ 5,500 rpm.

It is equipped with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) technology for a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. The scooter comes with front box with USB socket, external hinge-type fuel cap, long and comfortable and sporty step seat and 21.8L large under-seat storage. Further, the Avenis features a telescopic front suspension, Combined Brake System, large 12-inch front tyre and a side stand interlock system.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “At Suzuki Motorcycle India, we focus on offering products that reflect the evolving preferences of riders. The new colour on the Avenis adds a bold twist to its sporty personality and gives our young customers another exciting way to express their style on the streets. With this addition, we continue to enhance the appeal of Avenis while keeping the excitement alive.”

The Suzuki Avenis is priced at INR 91,400 for the Standard Edition, while the Ride Connect Edition is priced at INR 93,200 (both ex-showroom Delhi).

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Ather Energy has reported a strong start to the FY2026 with an increase in sales and market share. The company sold 46,078 units in the first quarter, a 97 percent YoY increase, which was accompanied by an 83 percent rise in total income to INR 6.72 billion.

The company's financial performance showed improvements in margins, with Adjusted Gross Margin increasing by 117 percent YoY. The EBITDA margin improved to -16 percent, narrowing losses to INR 1.06 billion, while losses after tax for the quarter were INR 1.78 billion.

Ather Energy's market share grew to 14.3 percent nationally, up from 7.6 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The company maintained its leading position in South India with a 22.8 percent market share and expanded its presence in Middle India, where its share grew to 10.7 percent.

The company attributed the growth to demand for the Ather Rizta model and the expansion of its retail footprint, which saw the addition of 95 new Experience Centres during the quarter. This brings the total number of centres to 446. Ather also continued to invest in its charging network, which now has 4,032 points across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Tarun Mehta, Executive Director and CEO, Ather Energy, said, “We have had a phenomenal start to this financial year, led by Rizta’s success and a strong expansion of our retail footprint. We were No.1 by market share in South India this quarter and are now scaling up quickly across Middle India, which has ramped up faster than expected. Over the next quarters, there will be a larger footprint expansion in the Northern markets. This quarter saw significant growth in our margins, demonstrating our strong focus on profitability. Even as we expand pan-India, our ASP has held steady, and our market share continues to grow.”

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TVS Motor Company, a leading manufacturer of two-wheeler and three-wheeler has launched a new design platform – TVS Indus Design Honours.

The platform aims to nurture design talent and promote innovation, which focusses on meaningful, inclusive and supports India’s diverse landscapes, lifestyles and people.

The company shared that the term ‘Indus’ draws from the Indus Valley Civilisation, one of the world’s earliest and most advanced societies. TVS Motor aims to blend India’s rich design heritage with a progressive, forward-looking mindset

Amit Rajwade, Vice-President – Design, TVS Motor Company, said, “Design is the bridge between imagination and impact. With TVS Indus Design Honours, we are creating a platform where the next generation of designers, thinkers and creators can reimagine Indian mobility as an original, culturally rooted expression of who we are and where we’re headed. This initiative reflects TVS Motor’s commitment to design-led innovation and sustainable mobility. This platform intends to promote Design among the Indian youth and nurture talent from both design and non-design backgrounds to help shape not just how we move but ignite the global conversation on the future of mobility.” 

The platform is open to all Indian residents including students, young professionals and design enthusiasts.

The challenge for the 2025 edition is theme-based, drawing inspiration from four distinctive regions — Thar, Sahyadri, Kutch and Mumbai.

Interested individuals can submit their entries that propose mobility concepts spanning monowheel, two-wheeler and three-wheeler formats, while incorporating environmental, social and cultural relevance. The challenge officially opens for registrations today, with the deadline for submissions set for 6 October 2025.

The entries will be evaluated by an expert jury comprising leading names from the world of design and mobility. The entries will be judged on originality, contextual relevance, user-centricity and feasibility. The top three winners will receive cash prizes up to INR 500,000, with additional recognition through a Viewers’ Choice award and opportunities for internship consideration with the TVSM Design Team.

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has inaugurated its premium motorcycle sales and service outlet the Honda BigWing Ring Road, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The new facility will cater exclusively to Honda’s premium motorcycle buyers. The company’s premium portfolio is led by BigWing Topline, which covers the entire premium motorcycle range (200cc – 1800cc) in top metros, and BigWing, exclusively for the mid-size motorcycle segment (200cc – 750cc) in other cities. Its range of motorcycles include the Hornet 2.0, NX200, CB350, H’ness CB350, CB350RS, CB300F, CB300R, Rebel 500, NX500, CB650R, CBR650R, XL750 Transalp, Hornet 750,  X-ADV, Hornet 1000 SP and the flagship Gold Wing Tour.

With this the company now has over 150 BigWing touchpoints across India. The new BigWing dealership features a black and white monochromatic theme.

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