Piaggio Banks On Unique Brand Portfolio For Strong Growth

Piaggio Banks On Unique Brand Portfolio For Strong Growth

Reporting consolidated net sales of EUR 1,626.9 million over the last nine months, marking an increase of 23.3 percent when compared to the sales of EUR 1,319.2 million clocked during the corresponding period last year that ended on 30 September 2021, Piaggio is cautiously optimistic of steady growth on the basis of its unique brand portfolio. 

Selling 490,400 vehicles worldwide (an increase of 13.9 percent from 430,600 during the corresponding period last year), the Italy-based industrial group showcased the new Aprilia RSV4 XTrenta, a special edition two-wheeler that combines Aprilia Racing engineering and MotoGP technology. Only 100 bikes will be produced to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Aprilia’s first championship victory. It also showcased the centenary edition of GMG – Giornate Mondiali Moto Guzzi – in Mandello Del Lario (Italy) in September, attracting more than 60,000 Guzzi bikers from around the world, including British actor Ewan McGregor, who has always been a great fan of Moto Guzzi bikes. 

Holding the world preview of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale (signifying the brand’s special ties with the Italian Navy) in the spectacular setting of the flight deck of the Cavour aircraft carrier in September, Piaggio presented a new range of Vespa GTS scooters in four versions – the classic Vespa GTS, the contemporary GTS Super, the feisty GST SuperSport and the hyper-tech Vespa GTS SuperTech – in October. 

Announcing net profit of EUR 70.9 million, the best ever nine months result with an improvement of 37.4 percent (it was EUR 51.6 million at the nine months ending on 30 September 2021), the Italian group sold 410,000 two-wheelers worldwide (an increase of 12 percent from 366,000 as on 30 September 2021) and generated net sales of EUR 1,338.9 million, an increase of 20.6 percent from EUR 1,110.2 million during the corresponding period last year.

Turnover from two-wheeler sales was particularly strong in Asia Pacific (clocking an increase of 55.1 percent), followed by the Americas (clocking an increase of 44.4 percent), EMEA (clocking an increase of 7.7 percent) and the Indian sub-continent where sales continued to be steady and resulted in an increase of one percent. 

Consolidating its leadership in the scooter segment with a share of 23.5 percent (23.1 percent in the first nine months of 2021) and further strengthening its positioning in the North American scooter market with a share of 34.9 percent (34.5 percent as on 30 September 2021), Piaggio experienced an increase in traction in the area of motorcycles as well. 

Working to consolidate its presence in the North American motorcycle market with the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands, the group (seeing double-digit growth in global scooter sales volumes, driven in particular by the Vespa brand that reported a double-digit improvement in turnover and record nine-month sales volumes and by Aprilia scooters) clocked good growth in its commercial vehicle portfolio as well. 

The group reported sales volumes of 80,300 vehicles, up 24.4 percent as compared to 64,600 units sold in the nine months ending on 30 September 2021. It also reported net sales of EUR 288 million (an increase of 37.8 percent from 209.1 million EUR as on 30 September 2021). 

Highlighting positive performance of the motorcycles under the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands on one side and the commercial vehicles on the other, Piaggio experienced good contribution from its Indian operations too. 

With the Indian market showing a recovery with turnover from commercial vehicles rising 56.7 percent and sales volumes rising 37.4 percent, the group’s subsidiary now commands a 19.4 percent overall share of the Indian three-wheeler market. In the cargo sub-segment of three-wheelers in India, the company – Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited – is holding a market share of 33 percent. 

Drawing attention to an extremely complex macroeconomic situation and geopolitical developments such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Piaggio Group Chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno expressed, “The Piaggio Group closed the first nine months of 2022 with its best results ever and double-digit growth, driven primarily by excellent performance in the APAC area, which will be further boosted by the new manufacturing facility we shall be opening in Indonesia next month.”

 

Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles Has Unveiled the New Yezdi Adventure 

Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles Has Unveiled the New Yezdi Adventure 

Keeping true to the motto of offering classic two-wheelers, revoking the spirit of Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles of the yesteryears, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has unveiled the new Yezdi Adventure motorcycle that combines retro styling with modern technological developments that are desired of the customers and dictated by the regulations. 

Indicating a clear improvement over the first generation Jawa and Yezdi machines, an outcome of research and development as well as the efforts to understanding the needs and aspirations of the customers, the company has treated the new Adventure machine with a   classic-ADV styling, which includes a redesigned main cage, a rally-style peak and striking new colours. 
Drawing attention are the striking looking twin LED headlamps (of Lumax make) at front. Balancing aspirational details and practical accessibility, the skeleton-like structure that works as a protection on either side comes into view. It partly covers the large, 15.5-litre large tank and acts as a protector in case of a fall so that the tank is not damaged. The structure could be also used to mount a small auxiliary fuel tank on either side in case of a long, arduous journey through a desolate countryside. 
The rear styling of the new motorcycle includes twin LED tail lamps. It marks a near complete redesign of the rear portion over the model it succeeds. With a manufacturing facility at Pithampur near Indore and a research and development centre in Pune, the company, which is said to be in the process of developing a more powerful 450 cc engine for its next line of products, has equipped the new (2025) Adventure motorcycle with a 334 cc ‘Aplha 2’ liquid-cooled single cylinder fuel injected engine that is OBD2 and E20 compliant. The bore and stroke of the engine is 81 mm and 65 mm respectively. 
Entering a market that is roughly defined as ‘mid-size adventure’ motorcycle market that consists of the Hero Xpulse, KTM 390 Adventure, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and a few others, the new adventure-tourer motorcycle is equipped with an advanced advanced traction control system that incorporates three ABD modes – Road, Rain and Off-road.  
Working to expand its dealer network to 500 numbers by the festive season from the current count of around 300, the company has engineered the ABS such that it is switchable for varied terrain. 
The motorcycle has been engineered to offer a seat height of 815 mm to suit riders of diverse heights. The gearbox is a six-speed constant mesh variety where the first few ratios are designed to ensure a strong thrust (the kind that is favourable during off-road riding) and the later ratios are designed to be wide enough to support on-road touring. 
Featuring an adjustable windscreen and a digital instrument cluster, the new motorcycle has seen gear-based fuel mapping for smooth power delivery across the rev range. 
Available in six distinctive colours, the machine is priced upwards of INR 214,900 and up till INR 226,900 ex-showroom Delhi. Price wise, it is approximately INR 80,000 less than the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. 
Speaking at the launch with Boman Irani of the erstwhile Ideal Jawa Mysore, in Mumbai, Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, said, “We have created India’s most honest adventure touring motorcycle. We did it with our signature style – it is a classic and it is a Yezdi.” “It is a motorcycle that the Indian adventure bikers were waiting for with the right combination of design, technology and performance born of India roads,” he explained.    

TVS Motor Company Begins A New Era In Indian Motorsport 

TVS Motor Company has become the official race machine provider for the National Championship Pro Stock 200 class at the 2025 Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), which is scheduled from 6 June 2025 to 8 June 2025 at MIC, Chennai. 
This is the first time in the history of Indian motorsports that a brand has been entrusted to design, develop and provide race-tuned motorcycles specifically for the National Championship. The breakthrough paves the way to democratise two-wheeler racing, making it easier and more affordable for independent racers to participate, reflecting FMSCI and MMSC’s vision of expanding competitive motorsport. 
The National Championship Pro Stock 200 at INMRC 2025 is a new and exciting format introduced by the MIC to elevate competition and support independent racing teams. As part of this development, TVSM will provide race-tuned TVS Apache GP200R motorcycles to independent teams, who will engage their racers to compete in this championship class.
PETRONAS TVS Racing team will provide complete technical support and machine service and maintenance to ensure peak performance throughout the season. With 20 years of TVS Apache’s racing heritage behind it, this milestone marks a powerful step forward in Indian motorsports. The selection process for participating teams and racers was recently concluded at the Madras International Circuit on 28 May 2025. Seven teams and twelve racers have been selected for this dynamic new class.
Vimal Sumbly, Head - Premium Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “At TVS Motor Company, our racing DNA drives us to innovate and lead from the front. We are proud to be the first two-wheeler manufacturer in Indian motorsport history to provide race-tuned machines to independent teams for the National Championship. This landmark development, supported by the vision of the Madras International Circuit makes it easier and more affordable for independent teams to participate and compete at the highest level. This year holds even greater significance as we mark two decades of our flagship performance brand, the TVS Apache – a true embodiment of our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. As we charge into the new season, we aim not just to race, but to raise the bar for motorsports in India once again.”

The specifications of the race-tuned Apache GP200 R are, 
Displacement: 200 cc
Kerb Weight: 105 Kg
Maximum Power: A 40 percent increase from 19.5 bhp
Top Speed: Over 155 kmph

The modification details include a modified cylinder head for higher volumetric efficiency, high lift camshaft, high compression ratio, advanced ECU with closed-loop control, quick shifter, data logging capabilities, fine-tuned induction and exhaust system, adjustable front and rear suspension, aerodynamic bodywork, lighter racing wheels, aluminium subframe, and higher brake power.
 

Ather Rizta Crosses 1 Lakh Unit Retail Sales Mark

Ather Rizta Crosses 1 Lakh Unit Retail Sales Mark

Ather Energy Limited has announced that its family scooter, the Rizta, has crossed the one lakh unit retail sales milestone within a year of its launch. The e-scooter has received a strong response from family scooter buyers across India, since its unveiling in April 2024, contributing to significant growth in Ather’s market share.

Commenting on this milestone, Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Hitting the one lakh milestone with the Rizta is a big moment for us. The Rizta, which was built from the ground up with a focus on addressing the needs of Indian families, has played a key role in expanding our reach and connecting with a much wider set of customers. It combines practically everything a family scooter needs: a spacious and comfortable seat, ample storage, safety features, and reliability to make every day commuting effortless.” “All of this is packaged in great design that Ather has come to be known for. In less than a year since its launch, the Rizta has helped us grow our market share significantly across multiple states, broadened our consumer profile, and accelerated adoption in states where our presence was earlier limited,” he added.  

Expanding the reach of Ather Energy into the family e-scooter market that has the likes of TVS iQube, the Rizta is claimed to have contributed to its manufacturer’s efforts in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to scale up. This is particularly said to be the case in the second quarter of FY25. The family e-scooter is known to account for around 60 percent of the total sales to date.

As per the Vahan data, Ather Energy has described itself as the Number one brand in South India with the 450 and Rizta as the products. The Rizta features a 56-litre under-seat storage space; a wide and comfortable seat; a spacious floorboard; ‘SkidControl’ traction control system that manages motor torque to prevent loss of traction on low friction surfaces like gravel, sand, water or oil; tow and theft alert, which notifies the owner about any unauthorised movement of their scooters; emergency stop system which flashes the tail light rapidly to indicate to the vehicle behind that you’re coming to a sudden halt; a software enabled ‘Live Location Sharing’ which is a part of the AtherStack 6 and allows riders to share their location with a preset contact in just a few clicks and enhances the safety of riders in emergency situations, and Google Maps on the dashboard for easy navigation.

The electric powertrain of the family e-scooter is similar to that of the 450.

India Yamaha Motor Introduces 5-year Road Side Assistance Program

India Yamaha Motor

Japanese two-wheeler major India Yamaha Motor (IYM) has introduced five-year Roadside Assistance (RSA) program, as part of its 40-year milestone in India.

The program will offer customers an extended RSA program for five years at just INR 975, which will bring forth peace-of-mind, especially during an unforeseen on-road emergency.

The company will provide – towing support in case of breakdown or accident, battery jumpstart assistance, flat tyre support, running repair services for minor issues and medical assistance in case of emergencies.

The new initiative will further complement Yamaha’s recent 10-year ‘Total Warranty Program’, which offers customers to get 2+8 years extended warranty.