Shell has partnered with India Vision Institute for the next phase of the #DriveSafeIndia programme that aims to support road safety with free eye check-ups and spectacles distribution camps in Bangalore and Tamil Nadu.

Through this year’s #DriveSafeIndia edition, Shell aims to address the vision issues of 100,000 drivers, of which eyecare needs of 50,000 commercial vehicle and truck drivers will be addressed in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the remaining in other states.

Sanjay Varkey, Director, Mobility, Shell India, said, “At Shell, we believe road safety is imperative for all and the #DriveSafeIndia programme is a step forward in the right direction. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are among the top three states with the highest road accidents. We are therefore expanding our programme in these regions to reach even more drivers to improve driving performance and potentially preventing accidents.”

The #DriveSafeIndia programme was launched in February 2019 to address vision issues faced by drivers, thereby making roads safer. So far, more than 260,000 drivers have been screened and vision issues of approximately 175,000 have been addressed by providing them free pairs of spectacles. The programme has also been awarded the coveted Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its outstanding contribution to Road Safety in 2019. (MT)

Bengaluru-headquartered electric vehicle company Ultraviolette Automotive (Ultraviolette) has announced a latest strategic alliance with MotoMondo, as its official importer and distributor for the United Kingdom and the Benelux region, which includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

This announcement is part of Ultravilotte’s ambition to expand its presence in the global market, especially the European region. As part of the understanding, the company will introduce the F77 MACH 2 Recon in the region for an introductory price of GBP 8,499 till 30 June 2025, post which the price will increase to GBP 9,399.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said“We are thrilled to partner with MotoMondo to bring the Ultraviolette experience to the United Kingdom and Benelux region. This partnership represents a significant milestone in our global journey as we expand the Ultraviolette brand beyond India into some of the world's most mature and discerning motorcycling markets. MotoMondo’s proven expertise in establishing and growing premium motorcycle brands across Europe makes them the perfect partner to represent Ultraviolette in these key regions. Their deep understanding of the market, combined with a passion for innovation and motorcycling culture, ensures that the Ultraviolette ecosystem-from product experience to aftersales support, will be world-class from day one. This is just the beginning, and we’re incredibly excited about the road ahead.”

Jan Ykema, Managing Director, MotoMondo, added, “We are proud to bring Ultraviolette, the most advanced electric motorcycle brand of the world, to the United Kingdom and Benelux region. Their technology is unprecedented, and we have only just seen the beginning! Ultraviolette will disrupt the current motorcycle market by offering a real alternative for all combustion engines.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of the country's leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has launched the OBD2B-compliant Dio 125 scooter at INR 96,749 (ex-showroom Pune).

The new Dio 125 gets refreshed colour scheme and graphics, 4.2-inch TFT display with mileage indicator, trip meter, eco indicator and range (distance to empty). Furthermore, it is compatible with Honda RoadSync app for providing navigation and call/message alerts, Smart key and a USB Type-C charging port.

Mechanically, the Dio 125 remains unchanged and continues to be powered by a 123.92cc, single-cylinder PGM-Fi engine, which produces 6.11 kW of power and 10.5 Nm of torque.

It will be available in two variants, DLX and H-Smart, with five colour options on sale.

Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “For over 21 years, the Dio has been an iconic name in the Indian market, standing as a symbol of style, performance, and trust. It has consistently been the first choice for customers looking for a trendy and reliable moto-scooter. With the launch of the new OBD2B Dio 125, we are excited to take forward its iconic legacy, keeping the core concept of moto-scooter intact, with added value and excitement for our customers.”

Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are ecstatic to introduce the new OBD2B version of Dio 125 – a scooter that has resonated with young India for years. With its refreshed graphics, advanced TFT display, and enhanced connectivity features, the new Dio 125 is designed to meet the evolving aspirations of today’s customers. True to its tagline, ‘Dio Wanna Have Fun?’, this moto scooter has always been a popular choice among India's younger generation, and this update will further strengthen its position in the segment.”

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan has partnered Flipkart to introduce digital buying experience for its customers.

From 15 April 2025, potential customers in eight Indian states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya and Mizoram will be able to book Suzuki scooters and motorcycles on Flipkart. To begin with customers will have options to purchase the Avenis scooter and GIXXER, GIXXER SF, GIXXER 250, GIXXER SF 250 and V-Strom SX motorcycles online.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “As more customers now prefer digital platforms for their purchases, we are committed to meeting them where they are. By associating with Flipkart, we are leveraging the growing digital ecosystem to offer customers a convenient and trusted platform to explore and buy Suzuki two-wheelers. We believe this move will further strengthen our reach and customer engagement in the Indian market.”

Sujith S Agashe, Senior Director, Electronics at Flipkart, said, “At Flipkart, we are constantly working to enhance our customer journey offering greater convenience and choice, backed by Flipkart’s trusted digital ecosystem. Our partnership with Suzuki Motorcycle India is a testament to this commitment, as we enable customers across the country to explore and book premium two-wheelers from the comfort of their homes. We are excited to bring greater convenience and choice to today’s digitally savvy consumers.”

Suzuki Motorcycle India, the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has launched the OBD2-compliant CY2025 Suzuki Hayabusa.

The flagship motorcycle is available in three dual-tone colour combinations - Metallic Mat Steel Green/Glass Sparkle Black, Glass Sparkle Black/Metallic Mat Titanium Silver and Metallic Mystic Silver/Pearl Vigor Blue- and will be available at INR 1.69 million (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Suzuki Hayabusa is powered by a 1,340 cc in-line 4-cylinder fuel-injected, liquid-cooled DOHC engine, features two Suzuki Ram Air Direct (SRAD) ducts to boost performance, Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber (TSCC) promotes faster and more efficient burning of the fuel-air mixture. The motorcycle is equipped with KYB inverted front forks, BATTLAX HYPERSPORTS 22 tyres, and Brembo Stylema 4-piston front brake calipers

In terms of tech, the Hayabusa comes with Power Mode Selector, Launch Control System, Bi-directional Quick Shift System, Cruise Control and Motion Track Traction Control (TC). It also features Suzuki Easy Start System, Low RPM Assist and LED lighting among others.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The Suzuki Hayabusa holds a special place in the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts across the globe. With the introduction of three new colour combinations and the transition to the OBD-2B compliance, we look forward to captivating customers with a product that stays true to its legacy while meeting today’s riding needs.”