Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp, has taken the lead position at the ongoing Rallye du Maroc 2024 with an impressive performance in Stage 1. Hero team pilot Ross Branch emerged as the fastest rider of the stage.

Riders Ross Branch, Sebastian Buhler and Nacho Cornejo, who were competing in the premier Rally GP Class, finished the first stage in 1st, 6th and 8th place, respectively. In the overall Rally GP Class standings, they are currently ranked 1st, 6th and 9th. Branch had the advantage of starting 11th for Stage 1 after placing second in the Prologue, which he capitalised by finishing first by a 48-second cushion over his closest rival. Cornejo started the stage today and made a determined effort to go cautiously across the incredibly challenging terrain, reaching the finish line without suffering any significant errors.

The first complete Stage of the 2024 edition included 180 km of timed sections and an additional 200 km of liaisons. The event organisers had to make last-minute changes to the race strategy yesterday when floods caused delays in the cars' arrival at the bivouac in Zagora. Participants in Stage 1 were dispatched on the Stage 2 course, although with a shorter mileage and later start times. However, this circuit around Zagora turned out to be one of the most difficult stages that Maroc has experienced recently. On rocky, uneven paths badly harmed by the rains, the day began with dangerous pathways that lay ahead, with much of the original routes swept away. In the last stretch, where visible, rolling trails guided the way to the finish line, the riders finally found some solace after risking their journey across narrow dunes.

In Stage 2, the participants will return to the original course planned for Stage 1. This second loop around Zagora will be one of the longest specialities in this year, spanning 314 km in the Sahara and an additional 158 kilometres in road sections.

Rallye du Maroc is the fifth and final round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2024. Since the second race of this season, Branch has held the top place in the standings chart, and this impressive perfoemance in the Maroc Rally has increased his chances of winning the World Championship title.

Branch said, "I’m happy to have finished Stage 1 with a good result. It was a really tough one – definitely one of the most challenging stages I’ve ever ridden at Rallye Du Maroc! The tracks were really beaten up and washed away from yesterday’s rains, but I managed to pull through. Nacho did an amazing job opening the track; I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been for him. Opening the Stage tomorrow will be a mammoth task, but we’re pushing forward with confidence."

Buhler said, "It was a very difficult Stage – perhaps one of the hardest I’ve ever ridden here at Maroc. The terrain was full of rocks and rivers, making it challenging to manoeuvre. I tried to maintain a good pace, but it wasn’t easy – every time I went full on the gas, I seemed to be hitting something. I’m glad to have finished well, and I hope tomorrow will be a bit smoother."

Cornejo said, "Stage 1 is complete, and it was very rough, thanks to the rains from yesterday. I did my best opening the Stage, and lost a few minutes here and there. But overall, I’m happy with my focus and navigation. Tomorrow is a new day, so we’ll keep pushing and doing our best – one day at a time."

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India Yamaha Motor has launched the FZ-Blue Flex, a motorcycle capable of running on ethanol-blended fuels ranging from E20 to E85 at INR 1,24,240 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The motorcycle, powered by a 149cc fuel-injected engine, delivers 8.6 kW of power and 12.8 Nm of torque via a 5-speed gearbox. It features a front telescopic suspension, a rear swingarm and an anti-lock braking system.

Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “Achieving a carbon-neutral future requires a dynamic, multi-pathway strategy rather than a single solution. Having already commenced our electric vehicle journey in India, the introduction of our innovative Blue Flex technology marks another strategic milestone. This move is a deliberate alignment of Yamaha’s global sustainability vision with the Indian government’s progressive biofuel policies. By embracing multiple technological avenues, we reinforce our commitment to global carbon neutrality goals while providing versatile, high-quality products tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

The motorcycle will be available in Metallic Black and sold through selected Blue Square dealerships across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

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India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has finally revealed the pricing for its first electric offering in the country – Aerox E.

The e-scooter based on the River Indie’s EC06 is priced at INR 281,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), which makes it the most expensive scooter in Yamaha India’s portfolio. The e-scooter is available at Yamaha Blue Square showrooms in select cities.

The Aerox E is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) that delivers 9.4 kW of peak power and 48 Nm of torque. It offers a top speed of 95.5 kmph and a certified range of 117 km. The scooter features three ride modes – Eco, Standard and Power – as well as a boost function and a reverse mode.

The e-scooter is equipped with dual removable batteries, each with a 1.5 kWh capacity, which take approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes to charge. The battery system comes with a warranty of 3 years or 30,000 km.

The scooter includes a traction control system, disc brakes with single-channel ABS, and a 5-inch colour TFT display with turn-by-turn navigation. Owners can access data such as maintenance reminders and parking location through the Y-Connect mobile app. The vehicle also features a smart key system and an external charging port.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced that its popular Apache motorcycle brand has surpassed 7 million customers worldwide.

To mark the milestone, the company has released a brand new campaign film titled ‘Tu Race Laga’, directed by acclaimed Bollywood director Ram Madhvani.

Established in 2005, the Apache motorcycle lineup is based on key learnings from the company’s racing division. The brand has introduced features including fuel injection, ride modes and traction control systems. The motorcycles are currently available in 90 countries.

Gaurav Gupta, President, India 2W Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “We thank the 7 million TVS Apache riders for their trust and passion over the past two decades. From racing roots to a global performance brand, this milestone reflects the dedication of the entire TVS Motor ecosystem. We will continue to push the boundaries of performance motorcycling through purposeful innovation, global expansion and strong riders communities.”

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business - Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “Twenty years ago, TVS Apache was born with a singular vision - to bring the excitement, control, and race-bred capability of the racetrack to everyday riders through our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. Today, as we celebrate the milestone of 7 million customers globally, we are proud to see TVS Apache evolve into one of the world’s fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands and a thriving community united by a shared passion for riding. The launch of ‘Tu Race Laga’ is a tribute to this journey and to every rider who chooses to push boundaries, embrace progress, and carry the racing spirit into everyday life. As we look ahead, we remain committed to redefining motorcycling through relentless innovation, race-bred technology, and experiences that inspire riders across the world.”

The Apache range includes the RTR 160, RTR 160 4V, RTR 180, RTR 200 4V, RTR 310, RR 310 and the RTX.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India, a leading manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles in the country, has announced its wholesales for June 2026.

The company recorded total sales of 115,030 units last month, a 21 percent YoY increase compared to the 95,244 units sold a year ago. Domestic sales reached 91,264 units, up 23 percent YoY, while exports grew 12 percent to 23,766 units.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Our sales performance in June reflects the sustained momentum, supported by strong demand and the trust our customers continue to place in the Suzuki brand. As customer expectations continue to evolve, we remain focused on delivering products that offer reliability, performance and value. At the same time, we are strengthening our engagement with customers through meaningful initiatives and experiences that help us build lasting relationships beyond the purchase.”

Revenue from spare parts sales totalled INR 929 million in June 2026, marking 15 percent growth over the previous year.

During the month, Suzuki Motorcycle India conducted the Burgman Hangout Parade in Pune and Hyderabad. Additionally, the company held GIXXER Pit Stop events in Kumbakonam, Ranchi, Bengaluru and Dehradun, which involved 285 participants.

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