The word- ‘milestone’ was repeated numerous times by the company’s chairman in its recent virtual press conference. Often with gleaming pride in his eyes- the pride of a dutiful son, a leading corporate visionary, and a hardworking man bearing the fruits of his labour.
Standing tall at Hero’s manufacturing facility in Gurugram, the CEO reflected on the sombre year that went by and is almost certain that the current year will shine a better light on us all. Joined shortly by the movie star Sharukh Khan, he reflected on various hardships, achievements, and yet again- ‘milestones’.
When asked by the keenly interested actor, on how the mobility company set out with its journey, the Managing Director said, “It was on January 19th, 1984, exactly 37 years ago that this company was incorporated. Fuelled by the focus on the future and reaching new milestones, a dream was set in motion, with a vision for the company it wanted to be.” In his air of passionate pleasantry, the captain of Hero said they had little to no idea about how big his company would turn out. “My beloved father Dr Brijmohan Lall Munjal put the building blocks in place for an ecosystem that has provided mobility to millions globally,” he added.
The head of the company explained that the monumental milestone of producing their one-millionth product, which at a time, seemed like a distant dream. Still grasping at the amazing feat, he pointed out that, “This milestone signifies much more than just a sales record; it is the success of our iconic brand, it is the trust our customers have placed in us, in our bikes and scooters. It is the hard work of the employees, all our heroes, and along with all of this- it is the success of this nation, our India.”
Speaking on the company founder, he said, his father would have been humbled and proud on seeing how far their company has come since its initial days.
In the time that ensued, three of Hero’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities were pitted against each other, in a race against time to deliver its 100-millionth motorcycle. The Gurugram plant, the place of the press conference, faced off, rather dramatically-against the Neemrana plant in Rajasthan and Hero’s largest facility in Haridwar.
Speaking on the pandemic and how it affected his company, Munjal said, “It would have been very easy to relax, defer all targets and wait for life to get back to normal. At Hero, our entire ecosystem came together and ensured we stayed on course to meet our new, enhanced goals and create hope for the economy.” This productivity evidently shows in their most recent achievement. He further explained that this very work ethic has kept the two-wheeler company at the top of the sales charts for over two decades. With 50 million products in 2013, it has taken the company just seven years to double that number to 100 million.
Munjal, in a considerate tone, with arms open, said, “Sustainability is very close to my heart and one of the key pillars of our operation- we ensure we continuously focus in providing sustainable growth to the society we operate in and also to all our stakeholders. Our manufacturing facilities across the globe are aptly called garden factories for their sustainability and green initiatives.” He further highlighted the range of diversity seen in their facilities across the globe. With employees from over ten different nationalities and a strong backbone in the female workforce, he said his company is one that embraces diversity.
The leader of the firm hints at, possibly- an electric commuter, when he said. “We are keenly aware of the future mobility requirements as well, keeping an eye for changing trends and keeping pace with our dynamic world, we are simultaneously ensuring future-readiness by working on alternate mobility solutions as well.”
Amidst all conversation, the 100-millionth motorcycle was finally off the assembly line in the Haridwar plant. The Xtreme 160R, Hero’s latest contribution to the commuter segment was, incidentally- the motorcycle to make headlines.
Concluding this event, Munjal pondered on the times to come. “We are going to continue to ride our growth journey. In keeping with our Vision to ‘Be the Future of Mobility,’ we will be launching a host of new motorcycles & scooters over the next five years, in addition to expanding our global footprint. We will also continue to invest in R&D and focus on new mobility solutions.” he added. (MT)
Carolwood LP Completes Acquisition Of Indian Motorcycle Company From Polaris, Mike Kenney Takes Over As CEO
- By MT Bureau
- February 03, 2026
Carolwood LP has officially closed its agreement with Polaris to acquire the iconic Indian Motorcycle Company, which will now become an independent business.
The transition coincides with the 125th anniversary of the company, which also sees Mike Kennedy, a veteran of the motorcycle industry, take over as the Chief Executive Officer of the stand-alone entity.
The acquisition agreement includes the transition of approximately 900 employees to the new Indian Motorcycle Company. Manufacturing operations will remain at existing facilities in Spirit Lake, Iowa and Monticello, Minnesota.
Industrial design, technology and product development will continue at research and development centres in Burgdorf, Switzerland and Wyoming, Minnesota. Sales, service, and support for the dealer network and customers are expected to continue without interruption.
The company’s strategy involves concentrated investment in motorcycles, technologies, and craftsmanship. The executive emphasised a commitment to the brand's American manufacturing identity and its dealer partnerships.
Mike Kennedy, said, “It’s an incredible honour to take the helm of Indian Motorcycle as it celebrates its 125th Anniversary, empowered by a sense of gratitude and opportunity, and the support and ambition of a well-resourced, highly motivated ownership team. 2026 will be a special year to honour our history, but more importantly, to drive the brand into the future with a renewed level of commitment, focus and clarity that can only be found as a stand-alone company.”
The new leadership intends to focus on transparency and collaboration with its global dealer network, incorporating feedback into operations, marketing, and product development.
“We will achieve our vision through a deeper level of differentiation, leaning in on what makes our brand unique, and with products that possess a style, craftsmanship and performance quality that is uniquely justified by our historic legacy and spirit of innovation. Dealers are our most important partners, and we will judge our business based on the success of our dealers. We intend to be extremely collaborative with our dealers, actively listening to their feedback and incorporating it into our planning and decision-making, not only in terms of dealer operations, but also product development and marketing. America’s first motorcycle company will put America first. Our brand and business will be grounded in our American identity and more importantly, American manufacturing. ‘Built in America’ is not a slogan. It’s a competitive advantage, and we intend to use it,” added Kennedy.
Ather Energy Reports INR 9.95 Billion Revenue For Q3 FY2026
- By MT Bureau
- February 02, 2026
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has posted its highest quarterly revenue to date, reaching INR 9.95 billion for Q3 FY2026, which marks a 53 percent YoY growth.
The company attributed the performance to sales volume growth as well as a rise in non-vehicle revenue. During the period, the company sold 67,851 units, a 50 percent increase YoY. Consequently, Ather’s national market share has expanded to 18.8 percent.
Ather Energy reported a narrowing of its EBITDA loss to INR 299 million, with the EBITDA margin improving by 1,600 basis points to (-3 percent). This progress is attributed to cost management and operating leverage.
Key Financial Data:
- Adjusted Gross Margin (AGM): INR 2.51 billion, up 111 percent YoY.
- AGM (Excluding Incentives): 23 percent, an increase of 1,100 bps YoY.
- Non-Vehicle Revenue: Contributed 14 percent to total income, led by software subscriptions, charging and services.
- Quarterly Loss Reduction: Narrowed by 45 percent compared to Q2 FY2026.
Tarun Mehta, Executive Director & CEO, Ather Energy, said, “Q3 has been a strong quarter for us. Robust festive demand, healthy volume growth, and improving market share together drove our best quarterly revenue and EBITDA so far. Over the past few quarters, we have stayed very focused on getting the fundamentals right by improving unit economics, margins, and operating leverage, and that effort is now clearly showing in the improvement in EBITDA. What is particularly encouraging is the strength of our ecosystem. AtherStack attach rates remain very high, and customer engagement is deepening even as our sales scale. All of this gives us confidence that the business is structurally prepared for sustainable, long-term growth.”
Suzuki Motorcycle India Reports 125,786 Unit Sales In January 2026
- By MT Bureau
- February 02, 2026
Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan has reported wholesales of 125,786 units in January 2026, which marks a 15 percent YoY growth.
In the domestic market, the sales increased by 14 percent to 100,296 units, as against 87,834 units last year, while exports came at 25,490 units, up 21 percent YoY.
Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The sales results for January indicate growing demand in both domestic and international markets. This momentum is supported by our ongoing focus on continuous customer engagement, after‑sales service enhancement, and network expansion. We will continue to invest in these areas to ensure that customers receive a seamless and reliable ownership experience throughout the year.”
Furthermore, the company reported INR 895.6 million revenue through spare parts sales, marking a 20 percent YoY growth.
Yamaha EC-06 E-Scooter Launched At INR 167,600
- By MT Bureau
- February 02, 2026
India Yamaha Motor (IYM), a leading two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced the price of its first electric scooter – the EC-06 – at INR 167,600 (ex-showroom Delhi). The e-scooter based on the River Indie will initially be sold in select cities through the company's Blue Square showrooms in a Bluish White colour.
The EC-06 features a 4kWh fixed battery paired with an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM). It offers a certified claimed range of 169km on a single charge. It has a claimed top speed of 79 kmph, 6.7 kW of peak power, 26 Nm of torque and can be charged in 8 hours using a standard plug. It comes with 3 years or 30,000 km warranty for the battery.
The vehicle is built with IP67-certified protection for the motor and battery, while other electronics carry an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.
The scooter includes three riding modes – Eco, Standard and Power – alongside a Reverse Mode. The chassis uses telescopic front forks with hydraulic dampers and a rear coil spring suspension. Braking is handled by 200mm discs at both ends, supported by a Combi Brake System (CBS).
For storage and technology, the EC-06 provides 24.5 litres of under-seat space and a colour LCD display. It integrates with the ‘Yamaha Motor Connect R’ app for real-time data access.
Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “The EC-06 marks an important step in Yamaha’s journey toward sustainable urban mobility. As India accelerates its transition toward a carbon-neutral future under the government’s visionary leadership, Yamaha is proud to support this national agenda through high-quality electric innovation. Designed for everyday commuting, it balances efficiency with performance, offering an impressive range and intuitive features. As a first-of-its-kind model from Yamaha, it demonstrates how sustainability and riding excitement can coexist – true to our brand philosophy and our responsibility towards the future of India’s green economy.”
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