Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy is strengthening its presence in the country with the appointments of Jitin Johnson as Head of Marketing and Kevin Thomas as Head of Brand.

To support its next phase of brand and business expansion, the company has expanded its marketing team to over 40 professionals. Simple Energy plans to accelerate its all-India footprint, with a target of establishing 150 retail stores and 200 service centres across the country by March 2026.

Jitin Johnson, Head of Marketing, Simple Energy, brings 14 years of marketing experience, having previously served as Assistant General Manager – Digital Marketing at River EV. He will lead the company’s omnichannel marketing strategy, covering brand development, go-to-market initiatives, digital transformation and customer engagement.

Kevin Thomas, Head of Brand, Simple Energy, brings over 13 years of expertise in Creative Direction and Visual Design. He most recently served as Principal Visual Designer at Ultraviolette Automotive. His career includes leadership roles at brands such as Amazon, Motorola and OnePlus.

Jitin Johnson, said, "Simple Energy is redefining how India moves - blending performance, design, and purpose in a way that truly resonates with the next generation of riders. I’m excited to build on this momentum, shaping a brand that’s as emotionally charged as it is.”

Kevin Thomas, said, “My creative philosophy is shaped by years spent at the intersection of design, machines, and art. I’ve always believed that great automotive brands are built not just through engineering, but through emotion and visual storytelling. At Simple Energy, I’m excited to craft a brand that’s artistically expressive, deeply rider-centric, and unmistakably rooted in the culture of movement.”

Smitha Rao, General Manager - Brand & Marketing, Simple Energy, added, “These appointments and the expansion of our marketing team mark an important step in strengthening Simple Energy’s brand and business ambitions. With Jitin and Kevin leading key functions, we’re better positioned to build meaningful connections with our customers, enhance brand consistency, and accelerate our mission to make electric mobility aspirational yet accessible.”

At present, Simple Energy’s offerings include the Simple ONE Gen 1.5 and Simple OneS two-wheelers, which deliver claimed IDC ranges of 248 km and 181 km, respectively. The company has also recently achieved milestones such as becoming India’s first OEM to commercially manufacture heavy rare-earth-free motors and the first to introduce an 8-year motor warranty.

With 61 retail outlets across key cities, the company is now preparing to expand into five new markets, including Delhi and Patna.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, will host its motorcycling festival, Suzuki Matsuri, in Hyderabad on 25 January 2026. The event is scheduled to take place at the Chicane Circuit in Shameerpet and serves as a community platform for two-wheeler owners and enthusiasts.

The festival features track experiences where attendees can test the Suzuki V-Strom SX on an urban enduro course and evaluate the Suzuki Avenis for agility. The company will also display its product portfolio, including scooters, motorcycles, and big bikes. A central feature of the event is the Suzuki e-Access, the brand's first electric two-wheeler, which will be available for test rides and on-the-spot bookings with retail finance and rental options.

The Hyderabad edition marks the production of 10 million units by SMIPL. The company will honour the owner of the 10 millionth vehicle, a Suzuki Access, during the celebrations. Off-track activities include stunt shows by professional riders on Suzuki big-bikes, interactions with influencers and art zones featuring helmet and caricature artists.

Registered participants can access free service check-ups for their Suzuki vehicles and purchase official merchandise. The event includes lucky draws and a social media contest for attendees. Music performances by Dharmik, Threeory Band and DJ Kim are scheduled throughout the day.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales, Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Following successful editions in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai that attracted over 10,000 participants, we are excited to bring Suzuki Matsuri to the City of Nizams. Hyderabad has been home to an enthusiastic and fast‑growing riding community, and Suzuki Matsuri is our way of celebrating this spirit together. With multiple on‑ground activities, rider engagements and immersive entertainment, we look forward to offering customers and fans an unforgettable festival experience that reflects the energy and excitement of the Suzuki brand.”

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India Yamaha Motor (IYM) has initiated a voluntary recall of 306,635 units of its 125cc hybrid scooter models. The campaign affects the RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid and Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid models manufactured between 2 May 2024 and 3 September 2025. The action is effective immediately and focuses on addressing a technical issue identified in the braking system.

The recall was prompted by a concern regarding the front brake caliper, which may exhibit limited function under specific operating conditions in certain units. To rectify this, India Yamaha Motor said it will replace the component at no cost to the owners of the affected vehicles. The work will be carried out at Yamaha showrooms across the country.

Owners can check if their vehicle is part of the recall by visiting the India Yamaha Motor website. Under the service and maintenance section, users are required to enter their Chassis Number in the 'Scooter 125' category to confirm eligibility and view instructions for the replacement process.

The company stated that the recall is part of its commitment to product safety and quality. There are no reports in the announcement of incidents resulting from the identified brake caliper concern.

According to the official communication from India Yamaha Motor: "Customer safety remains Yamaha’s highest priority. This voluntary recall has been initiated to address a potential concern wherein it has been identified that, under certain operating conditions, the front brake caliper exhibits limited function in select units of the RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid and Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid scooter models".

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TVS Motor Company hosted the TVS Apache Racing Experience International (ARE GP) in Nepal. The event, held at the Vehicle Academy and Research Centre in Satungal, Kathmandu, marks the 20th anniversary of the TVS Apache series and represents the first international expansion of this racing programme.

The initiative provides a platform for owners to operate their motorcycles in a championship environment. Participants receive instruction in race craft and riding techniques from professionals. The selection round in Kathmandu attracted over 55 riders and 300 spectators. Competitors navigated a circuit featuring 10 corners, with performance tracked by lap timings.

The event featured three classes based on engine displacement: 160cc, 200cc and 310cc. The top three finishers in each category qualified for a final at the Madras International Circuit (MIC) in India, scheduled for April 2026. These finalists will compete against riders from four different nations.

Rewards for the championship winners include a trip to a MotoGP event, entry into the TVS India One Make Championship (OMC), and team apparel. The programme also provides winners with a tour of the TVS factory and access to brand events such as TVS MotoSoul. The day included stunt shows, gymkhana sessions and music to create a festival format for enthusiasts.

Vimal Sumbly, Head – Premium Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “As we celebrate 20 years of TVS Apache built on a legacy of TVS Racing, performance and racing led technology the international expansion of ARE GP is a natural extension of our journey to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in motorsport. ARE GP has played a pivotal role in nurturing grassroots motorsports, and Nepal’s rapidly growing community of performance enthusiasts makes it an ideal destination.”

Shahil Agrawal, Executive Director – Jagdamba Motors, added, “Motorsports has always inspired the younger generation and with the launch of TVS ARE GP internationally, starting with Nepal, the platform will support in channeling the aspiration and structure it professionally. The racing format will significantly enhance the visibility for performance motorcycling, nurture local talent and energise dealerships while bringing riders, enthusiasts and communities together. We are proud to partner with TVS Motor Company in creating opportunities for Nepalese riders to compete, grow and represent the country on an international stage.”

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Yulu, an electric vehicle company, has conducted rider awareness initiatives in Bengaluru and Delhi to mark National Road Safety Month. The activities, aligned with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) theme ‘Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha’, aimed to promote traffic discipline among electric vehicle (EV) users and delivery partners.

In Bengaluru, the company held a 5-kilometre rally focused on road safety and anti-drug awareness. The event was flagged off by Inspector R. Veeresh of the Vivek Nagar Police Station and included the participation of 30 police officials. The route covered junctions in Koramangala and surrounding areas to engage with residents and road users regarding responsible riding.

In Delhi, Yulu joined a two-wheeler rally organised by MoRTH and the Delhi Traffic Police at Connaught Place. Flagged off by Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) DK Gupta, the event involved 200 riders. These participants interacted with commuters to highlight safety protocols.

The company utilises various platforms to communicate safety information, including in-app notifications, WhatsApp alerts, training videos and workshops held with local authorities. In Bengaluru, Yulu has also stationed safety marshals at junctions to assist riders and ensure compliance with traffic regulations at the request of the city's traffic police.

RK Misra, Co-Founder and President - Ecosystem Partnerships, Yulu, said, “Enabling people to navigate cities safely and securely is a vital part of Yulu’s mission. Therefore, we work closely with all relevant stakeholders — from delivery brands to gig workers and transport officials — to sensitise communities to the importance of responsible and safe riding.”

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