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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has rolled out its 10 millionth two-wheeler from its Gurugram plant. The milestone vehicle, a Suzuki Access Ride Connect Edition, was produced in 2026, marking a doubling of the company’s total production volume in six years.

The Japanese automaker commenced operations in 2006 and reached its first 5 million units in 2020. The subsequent 5 million units were produced between 2020 and 2026, driven by an expanded product line-up and rising demand.

The Suzuki Access 125 has been a primary driver of this growth, establishing the 125cc scooter segment in India. The current product range includes the Burgman and Avenis scooters, the Gixxer motorcycle series, the V-Strom SX and high-capacity motorcycles such as the GSX-8R, V-Strom 800 DE and the Hayabusa.

The company currently operates a network of over 1,200 touchpoints across India and exports vehicles to more than 60 international markets. To meet future demand, Suzuki Motorcycle India has commenced development of a second manufacturing facility at Kharkhoda, Haryana.

Suzuki Motorcycle India is adopting a multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality. This includes the introduction of the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel, an E85 fuel-compliant motorcycle, and an entry into the electric segment with the Suzuki e-Access.

Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Reaching the 10 million production mark is a significant achievement for all of us at SMIPL. This has been made possible by the trust and support of our customers, dealer partners, suppliers, and employees, who have stood with us throughout this journey. By expanding our product portfolio, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and focusing on quality and reliability, we have steadily scaled our operations in India. Going ahead, we are further expanding our production capacity, strengthening our sales and service network and deepening customer experience through engaging activities across the country. True to our promise of standing ‘By Your Side’, we continue to stand ‘By Your Side’ - customers, dealer partners, suppliers, and employees at every stage.”

To mark the milestone, SMIPL is offering limited-period retail finance benefits, including zero processing fees and EMI waivers. Existing customers can access a 10-point vehicle check-up and discounts on labour and accessories at Suzuki touchpoints.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bajaj Auto-owned Austrian motorcycle brand KTM has launched the RC 160 at INR 185,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and is available at dealerships nationwide.

The RC 160 is designed for riders seeking track-focused performance in the entry-level segment. It features a trellis frame with a full-faired design and follows the styling of the existing RC lineup.

The motorcycle is equipped with a 164.2 cc, liquid-cooled SOHC engine that delivers 19 PS at 9500 rpm and 15.5 Nm of torque at 7500 rpm. The engine features a 10,200 rpm redline and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox including an assist and slipper clutch. The reported top speed is 118 kmph; it features inverted 37mm front forks and a rear monoshock. In terms of braking, it uses 320 mm front and 230 mm rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. It gets 110/70-17 front and 140/60 R17 rear tubeless tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels. The RC 160 features a 13.75-litre metal tank.

The motorcycle gets an all-LED lighting system, including the headlamp, tail-lamp and indicators. The electronic suite includes a CAN-enabled system, electronic fuel injection and a Supermoto mode for the ABS. A TA variant is also available, which provides navigation support via the LCD instrument cluster.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “With the new RC 160, we are bringing that same track-bred character to a wider audience. It’s a motorcycle that captures the thrill of factory racing and makes it accessible to every young rider who dreams of speed, control, and confidence on two wheels. The RC 160 is not just an entry point; it’s the first step into the exhilarating world of KTM performance.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has released a television commercial for the TVS Ntorq 150 scooter.

The campaign focuses on the vehicle's performance and racing heritage, targeting younger demographics. The Ntorq 150 is the first 150cc scooter in India to feature race and street riding modes, alongside traction control and ABS.

The scooter has a claimed acceleration of zero to 60 kmph in 6.3 seconds. Technical specifications include Bluetooth connectivity and digital instrumentation. The design incorporates racing-derived engineering and aerodynamics, building on the brand's history in track competition. This model follows the introduction of the Ntorq 125 in 2018 and subsequent collaborations, such as with Marvel.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice-President – Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Ntorq has grown into an iconic brand for the youth, built on performance, attitude and a deep emotional connect with a new generation of riders. Our scooters have dominated racetracks for years, a racing legacy that gave birth to the TVS Ntorq 125. With the all-new TVS Ntorq 150, this pedigree is taken several notches higher. The new TVC captures this ‘Hyper’ philosophy, where cutting-edge engineering, racing DNA and an always-on competitive spirit come together to make every ride feel like a personal race.”

Ashwin Parthiban, Creative Consultant, Dentsu Creative, said, “Our idea was to visually translate the emotion of riding the TVS Ntorq 150, the rush, the aggression and the sense of control, into a cinematic experience. The film blurs the line between the racetrack and the street, making every ride feel hyper, energetic and exhilarating. It’s not just about showcasing features; it’s about making the viewer feel the ride.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Simple Energy has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the Simple One Gen 2, Simple OneS Gen 2 and Simple Ultra range of e-scooters.

The Simple Ultra features a 6.5 kWh battery, the largest currently fitted on a scooter in India, providing a claimed IDC range of 400 km. It can reach a claimed top speed of 115 kmph and accelerates from zero to 40 kmph in 2.77 seconds.

The Simple One Gen 2 is available in two variants. The 4.5 kWh model offers a range of 236 km with prices starting at INR 169,999, while the 5 kWh version provides a range of 265 km starting at INR 177,999. Both variants include six riding modes and a peak motor power of 8.8 kW. The Simple OneS Gen 2, priced at INR 149,999, features a 3.7 kWh battery and a range of 190 km. These models are available at over 61 showrooms and through e-commerce platform Amazon and Flipkart.

Technological updates across the Gen 2 range include traction control, four-level regenerative braking and cruise control. The vehicles feature a 7-inch touchscreen dashboard with 5G connectivity, Bluetooth and Android 12 integration. Hardware adjustments have reduced the kerb weight to 129 kg for the Simple One and 118 kg for the OneS, while underseat storage has increased to 35 litres.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “At Simple Energy, we engineer with intent. Our Gen 2 portfolio reflects a deliberate, innovation-first approach - offering differentiated products across range and performance needs, all built for real-world reliability. Indian commuters are not one-size-fits-all, and a growing segment clearly demands extreme range and performance without compromise. Simple Ultra is built precisely for that customer. Backed by over four years of in-house R&D, it delivers an industry-first 400 km IDC range, setting a new benchmark for electric two-wheelers in India. With a portfolio designed to meet diverse rider needs from day one, we’re not just launching scooters—we’re delivering confidence, freedom, and truly anxiety-free electric mobility.”

Furthermore, Simple Energy has also introduced a lifetime warranty on the motor and battery across its vehicle lineup. The company aims to expand its network to 150 dealerships and 200 service centres by March 2026. Financially, the firm is targeting an IPO in the second or third quarter of FY2027 to raise approximately USD 350 million, following its previous capital raises totalling USD 51 million from private investors and family offices.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!