The domestic production of the two-wheeler segment dropped to about 1.83 crore in FY21 as against the production of about 2.10 crore in FY20, financial services credit rating company Infomerics Valuation and Rating said in a report.

According to the Industry Outlook Automobile Industry report, the Indian automobile industry is valued at more than INR 8 lakh crore. Its turnover contributes approximately 7.1 percent of overall GDP, 27 per cent of industrial GDP and 49 per cent of manufacturing GDP. 

With the pandemic causing havoc in the automobile industry, the numbers have plummeted in FY21 for both production and sales, compared to the figure in FY20.

The study said two-wheeler is the most significant contributor to the automobile sector. It contributes about four-fifth to the overall industry, followed by passenger vehicles, contributing approximately 13 per cent to the industry.

Following some positive steps from the government, the automobile industry emerged as the top sector during the first four months of FY2021-22 with a 23 per cent share of the total FDI equity inflow, the study pointed out. The reforms by the government in FDI policy, investment facilitation and improving ease of doing business are some of the reasons for the increased FDI inflow, it said.

Along with enhancing FDI, the government has floated INT 25,938 crore worth of new production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the auto sector. The PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components Industry will lead to a new investment of more than INR 42,500 crore, incremental production of over INR 2.3 lakh crore for five years. It is also expected to create additional employment opportunities for more than 7.5 lakh jobs.

The government also extended the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicle (FAME) scheme by two years to 31 March 2024. Besides, the Central government approved the INR 76,000 crore scheme to boost semiconductor and display manufacturing.

However, the study pointed some significant challenges for the industry in future. It said there was a mismatch between funds allocated and disbursed. The Union government has only disbursed about 10 per cent (about INR 820 crore) of the total subsidies out of INR 8,596 crore earmarked under the FAME-II scheme. EV makers pointed out that the aggressive localisation criteria for qualifying for FAME-II were a reason for the limited disbursal under the scheme. The semiconductor shortage has also been adversely affecting the industry. The automotive component industry, which had a turnover of INR 3.40 lakh crore (USD 45.9 billion) for the April 2020-March 2021 period, posted a de-growth of 3 per cent, compared with the turnover in the previous year.

The report said the restructuring of Ford’s Indian operations caused massive anxiety for dealers and customers. The future of about 170 Ford dealers with a combined investment of INR 2000 crore and about 40,000 employees is uncertain, the study pointed out.

Some foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who exited in the last four years include General Motors in 2017, MAN Trucks in 2018, United Motor Cycles in 2019 and Harley Davidson in 2020. Accordingly, the FADA sought to introduce legislation, viz., Automobile Dealers Protection Act, to create an enabling environment for automobile dealers. Industry body FADA also indicated that it was the worst festive season in the decade, with overall vehicle registrations falling 18 per cent in 2021 as against the festive season in 2020.

However, the report highlighted that the EV segment and the sector growth is optimistic and is also likely to get an impetus by the government’s series of incentives.

Besides, the report is not very optimistic about the overall industry in the short term due to the semiconductor shortage and infrastructure challenges on the EV front.

The industry faces challenges from other factors like triple-digit fuel prices and the sudden exit of big companies. The report suggested that the industry needs to work on the semiconductor issue and try to develop native capacities, adding that the government needs to work in tandem and consider reducing fuel prices. (MT)

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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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