Kabira Mobility launched two hi-speed electric bikes – KM3000 and KM4000- targeting the young generation. The company now plans to go on mass production with a new plant being set up in Dharwad with an investment of INR 300 crore. “After the launch of two new hi-speed bikes, we will focus on mass production to meet demand. The plant will have a capacity to make 75,000 units per month and be fully functional by March this year,” said Jaibir Singh Siwach, CEO, Kabira Mobility.

Siwach claims the new Dharwad plant will be India’s largest EV plant, spread over 200,000 sq ft and generate 4000 direct and around 10000 indirect employment. Currently, the company has two plants, one in Goa and another in Dharwad, which have a production capacity of 10,000 units and 8,000 units, respectively.

Kabira Mobility is bringing its products in the market, which is being flooded with new products by established players and start-ups. However, the company has chosen its target customers- office goer and student segments.

“Around 80 percent of college students and office employees have less than 50 km run every day, and our new bikes give a range of more than 100 km per charge. Our targeted customers can charge their bikes at corporate parking premises and home. So, the range and charging will not be an issue. Being India’s fastest electric bikes, these bikes will thrill the young generation, who love speed and performance,” he said.

The KM 3000 is a fully faired sports-tourer with a top speed of 100 km/hr and has a riding range of 120 km on a single charge, claimed the company. The KM 4000, a street bike with naked design elements, is the fastest electric bike in the Indian market, with a top speed of 120 km/hr and a riding range of 160 km on a single charge. The bike supports Type 02 Universal Charger, which comes with an anti-removable lock and allows the rider to charge anywhere. Both bikes’ digital dashboard comes with 450 nits of brightness and Bluetooth connectivity, which shows ride statistics.

The company has also provided the keyless start feature available on KM Connect. Built for Indian Roads with IP67 Water Resistance which allows KM 3000 and KM 4000 to run in all weather and terrains. The bikes’ motor also comes with a dual sensor and temperature sensor for improved durability.

The company said deliveries of these bikes would start from May-2021. The company will launch its next products in July.

Speaking on the launch, Siwach said, “These bikes are a living testament to technological superiority and styling. We plan to extend our electric bike range by introducing more products to our portfolio. We believe that today’s young and mobile Indian has a strong appetite for powerful bikes simultaneously without causing any damage to the environment, and so, we see significant potential for these bikes in India. We aim to create a strong network that will provide our customers with a world-class experience and encourage the electric super biking segment in India.”

Additionally, through the KM mobile application, an owner can view charge cycles, battery temperature, battery score, and battery capacity used.

There are two modes of charging: Eco mode and Boost mode. The KM300 is more suited for overnight charging requiring 6 hours for a full charge; the latter takes two hours to charge fully.

The heart of the matter- the 4.4 kW battery- comes with a three-year warranty and is also fireproof.

Siwach said the bikes come with a battery life of 2,000 cycles and with a five-year warranty. “We also give the first three-year free replacement warranty,” he said.

The CEO also claims over 90 percent content of the bikes is localised. “All parts, including controllers and motors, except battery cells, are procured locally even battery packs are sourced from a local partner,” he said. The company also has in-house capabilities for building battery packs. It has partnered with Delta, Gabriel, Napino and Ceat for the local spare parts supply.

Talking on precaution on battery safety, Siwach said, “Battery explosions are no more challenge for EV makers. Battery safety largely depends on battery chemistry, components and BMS. If you use cheap components, then you compromise battery safety. We maintain the highest standard in battery safety.”

Both new bikes, powered by a DeltaEV BLDC Motor, are equipped with a digital instrument cluster featuring Bluetooth connectivity, optional riding modes, and a motor power indicator. Similarly, both motorcycles reach 0-40 km/hr in under three seconds and share the same DeltaEV Smart FOC Controller to regulate speed.

The riding modes include Eco, City, and Sports. The Anti-Theft is a practical feature that locks up the wheel on any unauthorised movement.

The recently-launched motorcycles are part of Kabira’s Phase-1 plan to commence operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad. Phase-2 will include 50 major cities in India and is expected to kick-off in August 2021.

Kabira Mobility got into the EV business in 2017 with six engineers with an aim to redefine India’s personal mobility industry. In 2019, it developed six different prototype models targeting school and college students, office goers and the delivery segment. The company unveiled five electric scooters- Kollegio, Kollegio Neo, Kollegio Plus, Intercity and Intercity Neo and one electric motorcycle-KM 3000 at the Auto Expo 2020.

“We unveiled the models in Auto Expo 2020 and launched them in June 2020. We received an encouraging response,” said Siwach. The Kollegio series, come with a swappable battery option, is designed for colleague students. The Intercity series come with cutting edge technology and functionality for daily city travellers and rental services.

During the development years of KM3000 and KM4000, the company engineers travel around the world and collected suitable inputs to develop the bikes in the local context.

As of now Kabira Mobility has more than 22 dealers and targets to get 50 dealers onboard pan India soon. At the initial stage, the company will set up dealers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Goa. “In these states, we will expand the dealer network deeply. However, for the rest states, we will focus on metro cities,” he said.

The company is looking for dealers passionate about electric vehicles with auto industry experience. “ We are also providing training to dealers on service of our products.” Kabira Mobility will provide on-call services in the major cities.

On spare parts side, Siwach does not find any challenge. “As the bike is made in India with over 90 percent local content, the company does not see any challenge in supplying spare parts,” Siwach added. (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.”