By T Murrali

As India will be moving to the new emission regime from April this year, the manufacturing companies are fielding new models of new variants with BS-VI engines. India Yamaha Motor (IYM) has announced a slew of new brands, in line with its concept of ‘The Call of the Blue’ that carved out the ‘The Yamaha Uniqueness’ of product line-ups and experiences through the ‘Blue Square’ network. IYM has fielded four vehicles with several innovative features and technologies, with plans to create a strong network of dealers; nonetheless, it has still kept a conservative sales growth target of 4 percent.

In 2019, the company sold 624,000 units (with 40 percent scooters and the rest motorcycles), witnessing a 13 percent drop in sales over the previous year, matching the industry average. It exported 296,000 units during the year. For 2020, IYM has set a target of 650,000 units with the same break-up for scooters and motorcycles. This is just 4 percent more than last year’s sales. However, it aims to raise exports to 315,000 units.

Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Planning Group, Yamaha Motors India Sales Pvt Ltd, said, “We have been able to increase our market share in deluxe and premium segments and maintain it in the scooter segment (for Fascino), thanks to our focused brand strategy: ‘The Call of the Blue.’ Our success in 2020 will depend on creating a strong network and we have started working on this direction. ‘Blue Square’ is one such initiative.”

‘Blue Square’ 

‘Blue square’ is a unique concept intended to offer Yamaha’s racing DNA to exciting, stylish and sporty products and experiences. ‘The Call of the Blue’ started in 2018 expanded to products and experiences in 2019.

‘Blue Square’ is created as a destination for all two-wheeler enthusiasts. The concept was to expand the company’s uniqueness for fuelling the passion for riding in India featuring a wide range of riding gears and accessories along with the two-wheeler line-ups that deliver good driving experience. Yamaha Blue Square Showrooms will serve the excitement to grow into a popular culture by turning it into an aspiration for every young rider.

To a question on how ‘Blue Square’ will help the company to strengthen its market position, Singh said the company’s objective is to focus on youngsters. It launched the brand campaign ‘The Call of the Blue’ mainly to connect with the young customers. Now IYM is taking it to the next level with ‘Blue Square,’ which according to him is more of the brand connection, linking its BTL (below the line) activities. “From ATL (above the line) activities to BTL, we are connecting the customers and giving the experience of sporty and stylish vehicles, which is our core DNA, to the product.” The additional dealerships planned for this year will be primarily for ‘Blue Square’ outlets, he said. 

Many of the existing dealerships will also be upgraded to deal with its new introductions of 155cc motorcycle MT-15 and the 125cc scooters, the Ray ZR 125 FI and Street Rally 125 FI, and the iconic Fascino 125 FI. Shifting from the 110cc segment, IYM is strengthening its market in the 125cc scooter segment and the motorcycle line-up.

MT-15

Known for its balance of torque and agility, MT-15 has enhanced control postures and single-channel ABS. A special colour ‘Ice Fluo-Vermillion’ was also introduced. It received rave reviews in many countries for its distinctively aggressive appearance. The new BS-VI compliant MT-15 has a rear radial tyre. Its advanced design expressing torque and agility is popularised further by a minimal look, dynamic headlight, short tail and an overall finish that illustrates its unique style.

The new bike comes with VVA engine for nimble acceleration with model-specific ECU,  optimized secondary reduction gear ratio for snappy riding in town, A&S clutch for stress-free gear shifts, motard-like riding position with a great deal of freedom on a tight, concentrated silhouette, 282mm front disc brake with single-channel ABS for excellent stopping power. The advanced design expressing torque and agility is further accentuated by dynamic front face styling headlight, short tail with a vertical tail light and overall graphics and finish.

Ray ZR 125 FI, Street Rally 125 FI

The new scooters come with several new features, new engine technologies and are available in a range of new colours. The new Ray ZR 125 FI and Street Rally 125 FI are powered by a BS-VI compliant, air cooled, fuel injected, 125cc blue core engine that produces a power output of 8.2 PS @ 6,500 RPM and a torque of 9.7 Nm @ 5,000 RPM. The power output and economy are 30 percent and 16 percent higher respectively than the earlier scooters.

The styling concept is ‘Armored Energy’ which evokes the feeling of a powerful motorcycle laced to proportions, details, striking design and new technologies. The sporty, sharp-looking headlight is Class C-compliant while the Y-shaped LED position light adds greater originality to the design. The turn signals at the front and rear use individual mounting stalks like those used for motorcycles. The Ray ZR 125 FI is available in both drum and disc brake versions, and the disc brake version gets digital instrument cluster as a new feature. The new Ray ZR 125 FI is available in a wide range of colour variants including Dark Matte Blue, Metallic Black, Cyan Blue, Matte Red Metallic and Reddish Yellow Cocktail.

The new Street Rally 125 FI also fuses motorcycle elements with those of a scooter and scatters them throughout the design. Brush guards shield the rider's hands from oncoming airflow and add a sporty, adventure-influenced touch to the machine. It additionally offers fully digital instrument cluster, side panels designed to look like a rugged frame, block-pattern tyre, sporty coloured wheel stripes (front and rear) and side panels intended to look like metallic protectors. The new Street Rally 125 FI is available in two colours: Deep Purplish Blue Metallic and Sparkle Green.

Fascino 125 FI

The new Fascino 125 FI is powered by a BS-VI compliant, air cooled, fuel injected, 125cc blue core engine that produces a power output of 8.2 PS @ 6,500 RPM and a torque of 9.7 Nm @ 5,000 RPM. The power output and economy are 30 percent and 16 percent higher respectively than the earlier scooters.

Along with the new features and technologies, the visual impression of the new Fascino 125 FI rests on its classic European styling as it gets an all-new exterior design, higher quality bodywork, newly designed headlight, new gauges and other features that produce a feeling of elegance and status. The new scooter is designed to be a fashionable vehicle with styling that embodies strength, refinement and beauty along with classical touches. The vehicle is available in disc and drum brakes and a wide range of colour variants including Vivid Red, Metallic Black, Yellow Cocktail, Matte Blue, Dark Matte Blue, Suave Copper and Cyan Blue.

Lightweighting

The body weight of the new Ray ZR 125 FI, Street Rally 125 FI and Fascino 125 FI is 99 kg, which is, at the least, 4 kg lighter than Yamaha's earlier scooters. All the new scooters come with ‘stop & start system’ that prevents engine idling and subsequent start with a single throttle twist which uses the sensors to assess the riding environment. The vehicles have front disc brake with unified brake system. In addition, the smart motor-generator fitted to these vehicles uses electronic controls to bring a quieter engine start without the need for a separate conventional electric starter. One of the key features is the ‘side stand engine cut-off switch,’ which prevents the engine from starting if the side-stand is not retracted. This is a unique feature as it can prevent accidents and ensure safety of the rider.

Talking to this publication on the objective to introduce the engine cut-off switch to the side-stand, Yasuo Ishihara, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Research & Development India Pvt Ltd, said that in Europe these safety systems are mandatory. Since it is a safety feature the company wanted to introduce it in India also. “We have decided to incorporate this feature in the two-wheelers (Ray and Fascino) that we have launched now. In a phased manner this feature will be introduced in all the models we produce.”

The company has also introduced stop-start systems and this was possible as it replaced the starter motor with a combined generator-cum-starter motor. Ishihara said that in India the traffic is dense with more stopping and starting conditions, not only at traffic lights but also on congested roads. This mild hybrid helps in managing these situations while conserving fuel. However, when there are frequent stops and starts, the power drawn will be more from the battery; therefore the company has increased the battery capacity.

Yamaha has also reduced the total kerb weight by 4 kg. This was achieved as the design team was given very stringent targets to reduce weight. There were targets set for every major part in the vehicle. This combined with high-end design helped the company achieve weight reduction despite increasing the sheet metal content. For instance, in the earlier version of the scooters, the front fender was in plastic but in the BS-VI version this has been replaced with metal. According to him, one of the reasons for weight reduction was that the vehicles have no starter motors, since the generators do that function. Despite introducing new technologies, localisation in all the models is over 90 percent, he said.

Target Customers               

The target customers for the three scooters, according to the company, are the youth (18-24 years) who are high on adventure, and who find the true reflection of their riding personality by the mobility they ride and its performance. Motofumi Shitara, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India group of companies, said, “Customers can now take the experience of all such exciting Yamaha two-wheelers at the new ‘Blue Square’ outlets of Yamaha which is conceptualized to garner the racing spirit along with its comfort, ambience and the beacon of the Yamaha Blue. The company also plans to expand its brand strategy of ‘The Call of the Blue’ including product strategies and networks in 2020. The ‘Blue Square’ which was opened recently in Chennai will expand to 100 outlets in 2020 and eventually would consolidate the 125cc scooter market share and sports market share for the brand. The ‘Call of the Blue’ will be scaled up in 2020 to offer the excitement, sporty and stylish experiences to a wider audience.”

Digital Communication

On the communication side, he said, the company is more focused on the digital platform. Despite fielding new stylish models with more safety features and power, the company has set itself a growth of just 4 percent for the current calendar over 2019. Seeking his reason for this, Singh said it is justified. “At this moment we are very conservative. We are talking to dealers and we are also taking feedback from people like you. We see a clear shift from 110cc to 125cc (in scooters) and it will increase in the coming years as people are further upgrading.” Therefore, the segment will further evolve. But it all depends on increasing affordability, which is directly linked to economic growth. The key point is that India is a country where more than 50 percent of the population is young. This is precisely the reason for the company to field products targeting the youth, he said. “Based on the features and the pricing we are going to get a good amount of market share in this segment; still we are taking cautious steps,” he explained.

The company will focus on three areas to connect with its customers easily - Premium, Deluxe and Scooters. Otherwise, connecting with customers from the commuting point of view would be difficult for Yamaha. This is the reason for the company to upgrade its scooters to 125cc, Shitara said.

Currently, IYM has 593 dealers across India with about 2,000 touch points. The company has allotted INR 1,500 crore for building capacity and capabilities, to be spent over four years from 2018. It had to invest INR 16 crore to develop BS-VI engines. Though modifications to the engine were minimal, the additions were in the form of double catalytic converters for exhaust, O2 sensors and advanced OBD modules. Investments have also gone into precision machining of parts for BS-VI related elements, and the development of new parts.  (MT)

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has introduced a Pearl Grace White colour option for the Suzuki Burgman Street EX. This addition brings the available colour choices for the scooter to three, joining Metallic Royal Bronze and Metallic Matte Black No. 2. The model is available at dealerships across India with a price of INR 107,902 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Burgman Street EX is powered by a 124cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine producing 8.6 PS at 6,500 rpm and 10 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. It utilises Suzuki Eco Performance Alpha (SEP-α) and fuel injection technology to manage consumption and emissions. The scooter also features an Engine Auto Stop-Start (EASS) system to reduce fuel use during idling and a Silent Starter System for engine ignition.

The scooter is equipped with a 12-inch rear wheel and a 100/80-12 tyre profile to assist stability. Standard features include an LED headlight and tail lamp, a windscreen, and 21.5 litres of under-seat storage. The digital LCD instrument cluster is Bluetooth-enabled and integrates with the Suzuki Ride Connect system for mobile connectivity.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The Burgman Street EX has been well appreciated for its blend of distinctive design, advanced technology and the relaxed comfort of its outstretched riding position. With this new update, we further enhance its overall appeal while staying true to the trusted quality and reliability that customers associate with Suzuki.”

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Chennai-based two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has expanded its electric vehicle range with the launch of the TVS Orbiter V1, equipped with a 1.8 kWh battery.

The company also introduced a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) ownership model across its entire electric scooter portfolio. Under this programme, the entry price for the TVS electric range begins at INR 49,999, excluding battery costs. Customers opting to purchase the vehicle with the battery can acquire the Orbiter V1 for INR 84,500.

The TVS Orbiter V1 is intended for urban use, offering a certified range of 86 km. The 1.8 kWh battery reaches an 80 percent charge in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The EV features an LED headlamp, a 34-litre under-seat storage area and a flat-form seat. Other features include hill hold assist, cruise control and regenerative braking systems.

The e-scooter incorporates a mobile application and a digital cluster that provides turn-by-turn navigation and call alerts. Security features such as geo-fencing, anti-theft alerts, and crash detection are integrated into the software. The vehicle supports over-the-air (OTA) updates to maintain system performance.

The BaaS model allows users to subscribe to battery usage rather than paying the full cost at the time of purchase. Subscription plans start at INR 862 per month and include a warranty for five years or 70,000 km. This framework is designed to lower the initial purchase price and provide flexibility regarding running costs.

Gaurav Gupta, President – India 2W Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Motor has built a strong and well-defined EV portfolio, and the launch of TVS Orbiter V1 further strengthens this lineup by introducing the most accessible entry point into our electric scooter range. Alongside this, the introduction of BaaS represents an important shift in customers’ approach to EV ownership. By separating the vehicle price from the battery usage cost, we are enabling greater flexibility while providing customers a clear understanding of the overall cost of ownership.”

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Pune-based two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has announced that Triumph Motorcycles has crossed 100,000 units sales milestone in India.

The achievement was supported with Triumph Motorcycles' partnership in Q2 2023 with Bajaj Auto, which brought together its global engineering strength with latter’s R&D, manufacturing and distribution reach. At present, Triumph Motorcycles sells its products across 200 towns, through 230 stores in the country.

This was further supported by establishing a strong riding community through World of Triumph and the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Furthermore, the made-in-India Triumph 400’s are now shipped to over 18 countries such as Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Mexico and South Korea.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “Reaching 100,000 Triumph motorcycles on Indian roads within just 2.5 years is a proud milestone for us. Triumph customers are discerning riders who have strongly endorsed our engineering with our modern classic motorcycles. The brand has always been built for those who know the difference, and we remain committed to strengthening our premium ecosystem and deepening our engagement with riders across the country.”

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  - Umang Mokriya March 11, 2026 12:39 PM

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Classic Legends, the Mahindra & Mahindra-backed manufacturer of Jawa, Yezdi and BSA motorcycles, has appointed Jayapradeep Vasudevan (JP) to its leadership team. He joins the organisation with around three decades of experience in the automotive industry, focusing on strategic leadership and commercial operations.

Jayapradeep previously served as the President of Kinetic Green’s two-wheeler business, where he managed the sales expansion of the Kinetic E-Luna e-scooter. His career includes nearly three decades in the automobile sector, with a tenure at Royal Enfield during its brand transformation.

For the past three years, he has operated within the electric vehicle (EV) sector, holding roles at Raptee.HV and Kinetic Green. This experience provided insights into consumer expectations and startup operations, which he now brings to the premium motorcycle segment.

In his new role at Classic Legends, Jayapradeep will work with the company’s dealer network and internal teams to scale the presence of its heritage brands. The company operates as a startup entity while managing a portfolio of established motorcycle marques.

“After nearly three decades in the automobile industry, I continue to feel grateful for the journeys that shape both my perspective and purpose. A significant part of my professional journey was with Royal Enfield, where I had the privilege of being part of a remarkable transformation journey with immense learning outcomes. With all the learning and experience of the transformational journey, three years back I stepped into the EV space with Raptee.HV and subsequently Kinetic Green. The experience with these EV startups offered valuable insights into the expectations of the new-generation consumers and helped me adapt to the pace and mindset of the startup ecosystem,” said Jayapradeep.

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