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)

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Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL) has introduced the all-new second generation Burgman Street, a comprehensive evolution of its popular luxury scooter. Building on the strong market presence of the original model that launched in 2018, this updated version brings significant improvements in design, performance and features. The result is a fresher, more premium offering aimed at customers seeking a distinctive ride in the luxury scooter segment.

Since its debut seven years ago, the Burgman Street has consistently grown into one of the fastest-moving models within the 125-cc scooter category. The new model is built around a concept called ‘ONE & ONLY’, which blends premium maxi-style design, superior comfort and everyday practicality. This unique combination sets it apart from any other scooter in its class. Customers can choose between two variants: the Ride Connect Edition and the Ride Connect TFT Edition.

Urban comfort and handling have been prioritised through a lightweight yet rigid frame that improves manoeuvrability. A tuned suspension setup, long wheelbase and Combined Brake System ensure stable and well-balanced braking. The scooter also retains its spacious, well-padded long seat, flexible floorboard and dedicated front footboards, reinforcing its reputation as a practical yet premium daily rider.

The new Burgman Street showcases a ‘Sleek Modern’ design language that fuses sharpness with elegance. Curvaceous bodywork, split-lens LED headlights with integrated position lights, compact LED turn signals and an updated rear combination light create a distinctive road presence. Metallic emblems, a dark smoked windscreen and an upswept muffler add further premium appeal. Underneath, the proven 124-cc Suzuki Eco Performance engine delivers 6.2 kW power and 10.2 Nm torque with strong low to mid-range response.

Practical enhancements include a 5.5-litre fuel tank with a tail-mounted lid, redesigned grab bar, aluminium pillion footpegs and a larger 24.6-litre underseat storage compartment with front pockets, dual utility hooks and a USB outlet. Features like the Suzuki Easy Start System, side stand interlock and waterproof switches ensure daily reliability. The Ride Connect TFT Edition goes further with a 4.2-inch colour TFT screen, a keyless system and an answer-back function for added convenience and security.

The all-new Burgman Street will be available across all Suzuki Motorcycle India dealerships from 8 April 2026 onwards. The price and colour options are given below:

Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd., said, “When we launched the Burgman Street in India, it created a distinct space for itself in the luxury scooter segment. Over the years, it has received an encouraging response, with sales doubling over the past three years. We have seen that Burgman Street owners take pride in owning something different. Building on this insight, our engineers have developed the second generation with a focus on refined design, enhanced comfort and a more premium riding experience. This new model truly represents ‘ONE & ONLY’ – delivering a unique combination of design, comfort, balance and real-world usability that sets it apart in the segment. We are confident that the new Burgman Street will continue to strengthen this pride among our customers.”

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has concluded FY2026 with total sales of 1.43 million units, which marks a 15 percent growth over 1.25 million units sold in FY2025.

This marks the highest annual sales for the company to date in the country.

In FY2026, domestic sales reached 1.17 million units, up 12 percent YoY, while exports grew by 26 percent, totalling 264,541 units. Additionally, spare parts sales generated revenue of INR 10,434 million, an 18 percent increase over the previous period.

In March 2026, Suzuki Motorcycle India recorded total sales of 128,227 units, compared to 126,164 units in March 2025. Monthly domestic sales stood at 105,397 units, while exports contributed 22,830 units. Domestic retail sales for the month rose to 108,661 units, reflecting an 11 percent growth.

During the year, the company surpassed cumulative production total of 10 million units in India. Commenced construction of a new manufacturing facility in Kharkhoda, Haryana. Launched the Suzuki e-Access, the company's first electric scooter. Introduced the Suzuki Access with ABS and the Ride Connect TFT Edition. And expanded its national reach to 1,240 outlets across all Indian states.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “FY 2025-26 has been a landmark year for Suzuki Motorcycle India, with our highest-ever sales performance reflecting sustained momentum across both domestic and export markets. This achievement is driven by the strong trust our customers place in the brand and the consistent efforts of our dealer partners and teams across the country. The encouraging performance in exports further reinforces our growing global relevance. As we move ahead, we will continue to focus on delivering products and experiences that resonate with evolving customer aspirations.”

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for FY2026 with total dispatches of 6.5 million units, which marks a 10 percent growth. This includes 6.06 million units sold in the domestic market and 402,786 units exported.

In March 2026, the company dispatched 598,198 units, compared to 549,604 units in the same month of the previous year. Retail performance for the month reached 542,436 VAHAN registrations, indicating an increase of approximately 24 percent.

Growth in March was led by the 100-125cc motorcycle segment and double-digit growth in scooters. The internal combustion engine (ICE) scooter segment grew by 24 percent, supported by the expansion of the Glamour and Xtreme motorcycle ranges. Demand in rural markets improved, aided by early festive trends.

For FY2026, motorcycle sales grew from 5.47 million units to 5.84 million units, scooters from 422,692 units to 626,285 units.

Vida, the company's electric vehicle (EV) brand, recorded its highest monthly VAHAN registrations to date at 21,434 units, a MoM increase of approximately 70 percent. For the full financial year, VIDA dispatches grew by 154 percent. The brand also introduced the VX2 Plus - KKR Limited Edition as part of its partnership with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

In international markets, the global business division recorded its highest-ever dispatches. March 2026 exports rose by 16 percent to 45,693 units, contributing to a total fiscal year dispatch growth of approximately 40 percent.

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Chennai-based mid-sized motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has achieved its highest annual sales to date, surpassing 1.2 million units in the financial year ending 31 March 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the company has exceeded the million-unit threshold.

The company concluded FY2026 with total sales of 1.23 million units, representing a 23 percent increase from FY2025. Domestic sales came at 1.10 million units, up 23 percent YoY, while exports came at 131,316 units, up 23 percent YoY.

Royal Enfield sold 112,334 units last month, an 11 percent rise over the same month last year.

The performance was supported by demand in domestic and international markets and a diverse motorcycle portfolio.

Going forward, Royal Enfield is expanding its manufacturing facility at Cheyyar to support future growth and maintain production efficiency. The company's international strategy includes deepening its presence in markets such as Brazil.

The upcoming financial year will involve the introduction of new platforms and product launches, including the Flying Flea C6. These initiatives coincide with the brand's 125th anniversary.

B Govindarajan, Managing Director, Eicher Motors and CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “Every year at Royal Enfield, we try to raise the bar a little higher than before, and this time was no different. We delivered our second consecutive year of over one million motorcycle sales, crossing 1.2 million units, our highest-ever annual performance. Achieving this milestone as we celebrate 125 years of Pure Motorcycling makes it even more meaningful. But in this landmark moment, we are not pausing to look back, instead we are focused on how we can continue to build motorcycles for the current and next generation of riders while remaining grounded in our ethos. This year we also achieved our best-ever festive season sales and highest-ever volumes across both domestic and international markets. Our international business continues to be a focus area and we are deepening our presence in high-potential markets such as Brazil. Equally important is the strength of our riding community, which continues to grow with our rider engagements and festivals expanding significantly across regions. We are also investing in staying ahead of the curve by expanding our manufacturing facility at Cheyyar, which will support future growth while maintaining our focus on quality and efficiency. As we move into the new financial year and continue our 125th year journey, we remain focused on the future with new product launches, new platforms and the launch of the Flying Flea C6. Our endeavour is simple: to keep growing in a way that stays true to who we are as we build a global motorcycling brand from India.”

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