With the electric two-wheeler industry  gaining great momentum, albeit with the help of government incentives, new dealers are emerging in almost every nook and corner of cities. As representatives of electric two-wheeler manufacturers, many of whom are start-ups, the scene is getting more and more active with every passing hour. Some dealers are experienced businesses and some are entirely new. Rajni Jose of Motoring Trends spoke to Jay Sumit Patwa, Chief Visionary Director, Patwa Group of Nashik and Bhushan Shah, CEO, Miracle 5 of Pune, about their experiences. 

How different is it to sell electric two-wheelers over your other business concerning mobiles, FMCG goods,  plastics and furniture?

Patwa: It feels exciting to have diversified into automobiles. Especially in the EV category with a brand like Ather, which has its aura and goodwill.  The reason for diversification is that  EV is the future. There is also a social cause attached to it, which will create an  indirect impact.

From a revenue perspective, how do you fare with electric two-wheelers with far less moving parts than a conventional two-wheeler does?

Patwa: Yes, there are  fewer components as compared to IC engine vehicles. The profit margins however are good and helps in building up a sustainable business model that results in  dealership revenue.

Shah: We do not look at servicing vehicles from a revenue generation perspective. It is only an add-on business with EVs. We consider it more like a customer interface and customer relationship management. Even spare parts replacement is not a viable revenue generation point for EVs considering the lack of replacement needs. Selling an EV is the only source of revenue.

How will FAME II drive the business?

Patwa: We are banking on the  FAME policy to have a big impact on the pricing of electric vehicles that we sell. It is a good initiative by the Central Government as well as state governments for the proliferation of electric vehicles. the EV industry.

Shah:  We are still in the process of obtaining the approval. Our vehicles are in the testing phase. We should be all set in two months. Our FAME II products will be 80 percent localised. Only some  20 percent of the parts will be imported. These would be majorly electrical and electronic in nature. With higher subsidies we are expecting higher sales volumes. 

How do you look at the current charging infrastructure?

Patwa: Ather Energy has a dedicated business vertical called Ather Grid, which is solely in charge of making and installing charging stations in cities where it has opened its Experience Centres. Currently, in Nashik, we have more than five charging stations. 

Shah: We have a few around Pune, but charging infrastructure is not an issue when it comes to our vehicles. A user’s daily commute can be fulfilled in a single charge. In the future however, we are expecting charging stations and charging infrastructure to mushroom like STD and PCO booths.

Does the dealership provide financing and insurance options?

Patwa: Yes, we provide finance and insurance. We also provide leasing options to our customers. We have tied up with renowned brands like Aditya Birla and Bajaj,  HDFC, IDFC and Hero Fincorp for finance, and with Autovert for leasing. 

Shah: Yes, we provide finance options. We have tie-ups with Bajaj Finance, LoanTap and Manappuram Finance. We also have tie-ups with cooperative banks. However, due to the need for a guarantor in such banks, most customers prefer the former options.

How is the market response for electric two-wheelers? 

Patwa: In Nashik, we are seeing good demand. We are experiencing  daily walk-ins of over 100 people that are interested in buying an Ather electric scooter.

Shah: More and more people are starting to accept electric two-wheelers. Especially with the pandemic, the need for personal mobility has surged and two-wheelers are found to be the best way to address that. In cities like Pune where public transport is not very efficient, we are getting buyers that range from  housewives to children. We are getting buyers that are delivery boys. They are keen to use our vehicles as they are efficient and cost effective. With the entry of big household automobile brands in the electric two-wheeler space, more and more people are getting the assurance that they can make the shift.  

What has Covid-19 affected sales?

Shah: Sales were largely down throughout last year. Our business was closed for more than half the year. Things picked up during December-February. They witnessed a drop in March 2021 once again as the second wave hit. With the fuel price hike, things have once again started to pick up. 

How many outlets do you have? Any plans for expansion? 

Patwa: We currently have one showroom and are focused on stabilising it. We are assessing the demand.  Depending on the same we will be chalking out our plans for expansion. In 2022, we could look at opening Ather sales points and service centres. 

Shah: We have various touch points across India for test drives, product viewing and booking services. We currently have dealerships in Mumbai, Indore and Pune, and are looking at expanding to other cities in the next six months.  (MT)

TVS Motor Company, a leading two- and three-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the updated TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at INR 139,000.

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is powered by a 159.7cc, oil-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-valve, which produces 17.55 PS at 9,250 rpm and 14.73 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.

It comes with a segment-first 37mm Upside Down (USD) suspension and three ride modes — Sport, Urban, and Rain, which the company claims enhance control, stability, and adaptability across diverse riding conditions.

Like with most of the new models from the TVS Motor Co’s stable, the Apache RTR 160 4V now comes with TVS SmartXonnect technology, which provides Bluetooth connectivity, providing turn-by-turn navigation, call & SMS alerts, and voice assist.

In terms of design, the refreshed TVS Apache RTR 160 4V’s can be had in three colour options – Granite Grey, Matte Black, and Pearl White, which are complemented by sporty, race-inspired graphics, golden-finish USD forks, and red alloy wheels. 

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are proud to lead the way in engineering and innovation in motorcycles. With that commitment, we are excited to announce the upgrade of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with cutting-edge features and advanced technology. Built on a rich racing legacy, the TVS Apache Series proudly serves over 5.5 million enthusiasts, making it one of the fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands globally. We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers by integrating performance, technology, and style. By constantly evolving in our set of offerings, we have set new benchmarks for performance motorcycles in India.”

KAW Veloce Motors Pvt Ltd (KVMPL) has unveiled the Brixton brand of motorcycles (600 cc and 1200 cc) and an e-scooter of the Italian brand Velocifero (VLF) called Tennis in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The unveiling of both the machines – the motorcycle with an ICE and the e-scooter with a battery and motor – at the Highland Club on the outskirts of the city took place amid much fanfare.

The Brixton motorcycle and VLF e-scooter – with an angular bodywork overall that is synonymous with Italian design culture and featuring a 2.1kW hub motor, and a range of 130 km – will be offered through the MotoHaus retail channel, the first outlet of which is set to be commissioned in a few days from now in Kolhapur.

Both the two-wheelers – the e-scooter is priced at INR 1,30,000 ex-showroom – are being put together (from a CKD kit) at a plant that is about 12 km from the launch venue as part of the Phase I strategy. To be offered through MotoHaus outlets in cities Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Jaipur, Vapi, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Nashik, Nagpur, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara besides Kolhapur, the two vehicle brands are expected to be joined by a third Italian brand and an in-house electric two-wheeler brand at a later date.

Once the Phase I strategy plays out and the Bixton and VLF offerings find a footing in the Indian market, the company will embark on the Phase II strategy that will include a design and development centre at Kolhapur. The strategy will also include a manufacturing plant that can do 25,000 units and enable the engineering of a robust supply chain in terms of localisation.

It is at the Phase II level that investments from Brixton Motorcycles (Austria) and VLF are expected to come into the venture, which is initially supported by the parent company of KAW Veloce.

TVS Motor Company-owned British premium motorcycle brand Norton Motorcycles, has announced changes to its leadership structure.

The company has announced Dr. Robert Hentschel, currently CEO, will step back from his role effective immediately. He will transition to a non-executive director role within the company.

On the other hand, Nevijo Mance will join Norton Motorcycles as Executive Director, overseeing all upstream business operations, as part of the new leadership structure.

He will be responsible for product design, development and engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality control, and supply chain management.

In addition, Richard Arnold, who was appointed Executive Director in June 2024, will be responsible for downstream business operations, including marketing, brand management, sales, distribution, customer relationship management, aftersales service, product management, and public relations.

He will also be responsible for enhancing customer experience, expanding Norton’s market reach, and strengthening the brand’s presence across global markets.

Dr Rober had been leading the company since 2021, and has been instrumental in strengthening Norton’s foundations, guiding the company through crucial stages of its growth plan and establishing a strong operational base. He had played a key role in synergistic relationship with parent TVS Motor Company, which has been pivotal in advancing Norton’s progress and setting the stage for future success.

TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global manufacturer of two- and three-wheelers, has announced the date and venue for the fourth edition of its TVS MotoSoul festival. The two-day festival will be held at Vagator, Goa, on 6 and 7 December 2024 with a focus on eco-friendly branding and sustainable practices.

Riding on this year’s theme of ‘Feel the Adrenaline, Feel the Inspiration, Feel the Groove’, TVS MotoSoul 4.0 is expected to draw visitors not only from India but also from other countries where the company has a presence. The two-day event promises attractive sessions like culinary experiences, wellness and personal care sessions, bike trips and tricks sessions and community and bonding sessions, as well as live music performances by top artists. The festival will provide attendees with a chance to participate in motorsports including dirt track racing, stunt shows and flat track challenges. Additionally, the attendees will be able to interact with race champions, riding experts and motorcycling legends.

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS MotoSoul is a mark of the motorcycling spirit. It celebrates the bond between man and machine. Each edition has not only grown in scale but has also deepened this connection among enthusiasts. Our commitment goes beyond just motorcycles; we are devoted to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of riders. As we gear up for TVS MotoSoul 4.0, we are excited to redefine the journey with extraordinary experiences, all wrapped in a vibrant and colourful theme that captures the free-spirited essence of our community. We are confident that our mission to democratise these experiences will lead to one of the most exhilarating celebrations of riders and their journeys at TVS MotoSoul 4.0.”