The cruisers from the company began with Citybike in 1990 followed by Lightning in 1997 and then Thunderbird in 2002. Since then the Thunderbird has received multiple upgrades before being discontinued in March 2020.

The Lightning started the cruiser segment in the country, and the Thunderbird took it forward. But now the Meteor is all ready to become the torchbearer for the cruiser segment in India taking reins from the Thunderbird.

The Meteor name is borrowed from an iconic Royal Enfield motorcycle launched back in the 1950s. The old Meteor was a magnificent touring motorcycle with a reputation that has stood the test of time. The new Meteor 350 carries Royal Enfield’s signature styling but with many firsts and is set to be an equally great machine for our times.

Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Eicher Motors Ltd, said, “The Meteor 350 is a supremely refined, easy and accessible cruiser in a charming combination of classic cruiser styling with modern capability. The excellent ergonomics, motorcycle’s poise, its agile handling and up-rated braking, resulting in an unmatched ride experience make it an easy choice for both experienced and new riders”.

The new 350cc engine in the Meteor is built from scratch by the Royal Enfield engineers and designers at their state-of-the-art technical centres in Chennai, India and Bruntingthorpe, United Kingdom. The 349cc air-oil- cooled motor generates 20.2 bhp and 27nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The new engine allows the inclusion of a balancer shaft for permitting a smooth and well-mannered ride experience. The throttle response of the electronic fuel injection has been optimised for dependable starting and effortless, linear acceleration while still maintaining the Royal Enfield’ thump.’ The quality of refinement - mechanical, fittings and finish - has been raised to a new level to give a premium and modern motorcycle satisfaction, while retaining the all- important Royal Enfield DNA. The 5-speed gearbox on the new bike gets an overdrive gear that helps with stress-free driving and economical highway cruising and a 7-plate clutch for easy gear changes in built-up traffic.

The new motorcycle gets twin downtube spline frame construction that is designed to inspire confidence in the twisties, be rock-solid on the highway and easily manoeuvrable on busy city streets. The low seat height and centre of gravity in combination with its inherent strength and rigidity results in the optimal motorcycle for the urban rider who seeks adventure on long getaways. The 41mm forks upfront with 130mm of travel and twin-tube emulsion shock absorbers with 6-step preload adjustment at the rear make the bike handle better and improve ride quality. For authentic cruiser experience, the footpegs are forward-mounted, with a heel and toe gearshift.

The Meteor 350 gets a new TBT (Turn-By-Turn) navigation pod known as the Royal Enfield tripper. It is a highly focused navigation display device for real-time directions, built with Google Maps Platform. Meteor 350 becomes the first Indian bike to use Google Maps’ two-wheeler navigation feature to display the best route to reach your destination. Paired via the Royal Enfield App to the rider’s smartphone, the Tripper clearly and efficiently gives the required level of information whilst remaining discreet and unintrusive.

Alongside the Meteor 350’s launch, the company also announced Royal Enfield’s Make It Yours-MiY-initiative. An inventive and unique motorcycle personalisation tool, MiY allows Meteor 350 owners to tap into thousands of possible combinations when they order their motorcycle via the Royal Enfield App, on the website or at a dealership.

The Meteor 350 is available in three editions, the Fireball, the Stellar and the Supernova. The Fireball edition is available in vibrant red or yellow single colour fuel tank, matching wheel rim lining and features blacked-out cycle parts and engine, which are finished in machined fins. The Stellar edition is available in contemporary red, blue or matt black tanks and matching body components. It also comes with chrome handlebars, an exhaust and a comfortable backrest for the pillion. The top-of-the-line Supernova comes n dual-tone blue or brown with matching body parts and features detailed machined wheels, a choice of premium seats and a windscreen.

Standard equipment includes alloy wheels and tubeless tyres giving riders convenience and peace of mind, especially on long journeys. A 100/90 R19 tyres are used at the front, and 140/70 R17’s at the rear to add to the cruiser appearance. Braking is taken care by a 300mm disk at the front and a 270mm at the rear with dual-channel ABS. All variants also get a new instrument cluster which combines the timeless elegance of a ‘dancing needle’ analogue speedometer with the functionality of an LCD for essentials such as gear indicator, fuel gauge, clock and trip meter. Besides, a USB port is discreetly mounted below the handlebar to enable charging on the go. The bike also gets the clean, contemporary look of LEDs with the efficiency and timeless appeal of a well-sorted Halogen headlamp for both the head and taillight. Handlebar controls and switchgear quality feel premium with rotary power and lighting switches giving a gentle nod to the past. The bike is available in seven standard colourways under three edition, and MiY allows an additional eight colourway option.

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 sets a new benchmark for cruisers. It is built from the ground up for those who not only need a unique motorcycle for city riding but also long for a thoroughbred mount that allows them to head out on the highway and escape the pressures of daily life. The Meteor 350 will be available at a starting price of INR 1,75,817 for the Fireball, INR 1,81,326 for the Stellar, and at INR. 1,90,536 for the Supernova editions. (all ex-showroom Chennai 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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