Ahoy Bikes launched an electroluminescent-technology-based bike, which enhances the safety of riders and aspirational value.

The new technology uses an electroluminescent paint-like coating system, which emits light when an electric current is passed through it, increasing the bike’s visibility through many types of atmospheric conditions such as dark fog, snow, and smoke. “In India, one of the major concerns of cyclists is safety, especially when the visibility is low. Second, most people do not find any aspirational value with their bicycles, unlike motorcycles and cars. There are very few people who own a bicycle with pride. The new bicycle will also appeal to young kids and encourage them to take physical activities,” said Abhishek Mitra, Director, Ahoy Bikes.

The company had started working on electroluminescent technology during the lockdown. It had joined hands with the US-based company Lumilor. The main task for the company was to make the electroluminescent-technology affordable for Indian consumers. “We have been working on the technology to get the cost down and bring it in the affordability range. This is the first electroluminescent bicycle, the production model that has been launched on a mass scale project,” Mitra said. A wide range of Luminous bikes will be available at an affordable price range. The prices begin at INR 20,000 onwards.

The company also manufactures all-terrain bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, kids bikes and balance bikes.

Like other bicycle companies, Ahoy is also experiencing a surge in demand post COVID. According to him, the demand for bicycles has surged between 300 percent to 350 percent post-COVID due to growing health consciousness and adaptation of social distancing and gyms closure.

According to the All-India Cycles Manufacturers Association, the bicycle industry was growing at 5-7 percent every year, but it is now expected to grow at 15-20 percent because of the coronavirus pandemic, led by a surge in first-time users.

As per the industry data, India is the second-largest manufacturer and the third consumer of bicycles globally. India manufacturers 22 million bicycles every year, with an annual turnover of INR 7,000 crore. According to industry numbers, 22 million cycles were sold in 2018-19, and 18 million were sold in 2019-20.

Talking about growing trends from bicyclists, Mitra pointed out that Indian consumers are looking for the product’s right value. “Customers want quality products. They are ready to spend a little bit more where they can find value in the products. We are giving the best of the class quality bikes with the best of class components. We are trying to offer different products in the industry so that customers can feel good about the product,” he said.

Ahoy Bikes would also make customisation options available with this new technology for cyclists willing to customise their existing bicycles.

Indian consumers are also largely influenced by international brands in terms of weight, features and performance. According to him, different bicyclist enthusiasts have other choices, and the company targets the mid-premium segment and consumers who want to upgrade their basic bicycles.

The company also sees itself entering the safety gear segment, but not soon. “Yes, we have plans to get into bicycle safety gear business, but let’s see when we can utilise them,” he added.

Ahoy has around 200 dealers in its network across the country, mainly concentrating in the North and West regions. Ahoy aims to heighten the number of dealers to 350 in FY21-22 with an increasing focus on the south region.

As for its product strategy, Ahoy also intends to attract dealers through its distinctive products instead of ramping up dealer numbers. “We do not want to push our products to the dealers. We are trying to create products that differentiate ourselves in the market and create a pull factor. And the new electroluminescent-technology-based bikes is an example of it,” he said.

Tractions on the e-commerce portal have surged, especially after COVID surge. However, Mitra thinks buying a bicycle online is yet not a convenient mode for consumers. “Buying a bicycle online is easy. But getting it assembled and serviced is a challenge. You get the bicycle’s delivery in a semi-assembled state and, to assemble it, you need to find a professional mechanic for whom you will have to pay. Even the dealer from which you can get the bicycle assembled will not be pleased about your online purchase. Let me say that too. Maybe he will charge you more. So deliberately, we are not getting into e-commerce, but we are trying to get into omnichannel sales. Consumers can visit our website and get to know about the products and buy them from the website or from the nearest dealer. If a consumer buys from the website, we deliver the product through our dealer only in a fully assembled state. That’s how we promote our dealers as well,” explained the Ahoy Director.

Ahoy entered the bicycle manufacturing business in 2018. However, the company has been in the industry for over three decades supplying components from plastic moulded and PVC components to OEMs. The component manufacturing business it shelved in 2016-17 and started a bicycle making factory in Delhi NCR 2018, and the Ahoy brand was launched. The knowledge of the bicycle component business has helped Ahoy to expand its current business rapidly.

“The biggest advantage was for us was a network of OEMs, suppliers and vendors across the country we have built over the years. We had supplied the components to OEMs and dealers, procured raw materials vendors over three decades, and created our credibility. Those three decades in the bicycle component business helped us to understand the industry deeply. Being a component maker, we visited various factories from OEMs, suppliers, and vendors. They shared their knowledge and experience about the business, which would have been impossible if we had been only into bicycle manufacturing. We also understood the pain points of the suppliers, vendors and consumers, and that’s where our products find values,” he said.

Ahoy has no plans to export bicycles in the near future. Electric motor-driven bicycles are gaining popularity in India. He also sees the future as e-mobility but added the company does not have any plans to manufacture e-bicycles. “As of now, we are focusing our energies on building, you know, this particular kind of products which are different for different from what other people are offering,” he said.

The company has a production capacity of producing 20,000 units per month. The current challenge for Ahoy is the supply of components to make bicycles. “Demand for bicycle has gone up exponentially, but the supply chain has gone up haywire. Supply-demand has widened,” he added. (MT)

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy has inaugurated five new retail outlets in Delhi, Nashik, Aurangabad and Siliguri. The expansion increases the company's footprint across North, East and Western India, bringing its total network to approximately 70 outlets in 38 cities.

The company has implemented a strategy of pairing showrooms with dedicated service centres to support vehicle ownership. The EV maker has added two new locations in Delhi and Maharashtra each. It has also added a new 3S facility in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The new stores showcase the Simple One Gen 2 and Simple OneS Gen 2 e-scooter lineups. The Gen 2 model is available in two battery configurations (4.5 kWh) at INR 169,999 and 5.0 kWh battery configuration at INR 177,999 designed for long-range commuting. The prices are all ex-showroom Bengaluru, respectively.

Going forward, Simple Energy aims to reach 100 stores across India in the coming months. Future locations identified for expansion include Nagpur, Ranchi and Bhubaneshwar. The company currently operates in major hubs including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “This expansion of Simple Stores marks a key step in strengthening our pan-India presence. By growing our footprint across North, East, and Western India, we are enhancing accessibility and building a stronger service network for our customers. Our scooters are engineered for long range and high performance, delivering reliable, anxiety-free rides for everyday commuting. As we scale towards 100 stores across India, we remain focused on making electric mobility practical, dependable, and widely accessible.”

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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has recorded 10 million cumulative sales in the East region of India. The achievement covers markets in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and the north-eastern states, signalling the manufacturer's expansion across both metropolitan and semi-urban areas.

The sales volume has been driven primarily by demand in cities such as Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India's operations in the region are supported by a network of over 1,200 sales and service touchpoints.

The Activa and Dio models remain the primary drivers in the scooter segment, while SP125 and Shine 125 were volume contributors in the motorcycle segment. The company recently entered the EV market with the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India currently maintains a diverse product line-up ranging from 100cc to 200cc in the mass-market segment. For premium motorcycles, the company operates two distinct retail formats: BigWing Topline, which handles the 200cc to 1800cc range in major cities, and BigWing, which focuses on the mid-size 200cc to 500cc segment.

The current premium range includes models such as the CB350 series, NX500, and the Gold Wing Tour. Growth in the East region is attributed to brand trust, product quality, and established resale value within the local market.

Mutsuo Usui, Director - Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The 10 million sales milestone in the East region reflects how deeply our products are integrated into the everyday mobility needs of customers across diverse markets. The accelerated growth in recent years highlights the increasing confidence in our portfolio and the strength of our network across metros as well as emerging towns. As we move ahead, our focus will remain on expanding accessibility, strengthening customer experience and driving the next phase of growth across the region.”

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Triumph Motorcycles has attained a new sales milestone of having over 100,000 motorcycles on Indian roads. Following this, the two-wheeler maker has announced updated pricing for its mid-capacity range, offering on-road savings of up to INR 21,500. The new price structure is supported by an 18 percent GST bracket applicable to the company's 350cc engine models.

The company is targeting growth in FY2026-27, leveraging its network of over 230 stores across 200 towns in India. The revised pricing strategy is intended to increase the accessibility of the 350cc and 400cc portfolios while maintaining the engineering standards and engine character associated with the brand.

Updated Pricing (Ex-showroom Delhi):

• Triumph Speed T4: INR 195,000
• Triumph Speed 400: INR 231,890
• Triumph Scrambler 400: INR 259,241
• Triumph Thruxton 400: INR 265,538
• Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: INR 289,534

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, "Bolstered by the massive success of our 400 range, with 100,000 Triumphs now on Indian roads, we enter FY2027 with strong momentum. The 18 percent GST bracket enables more competitive pricing while retaining the character and engineering excellence that define our products. We are confident that with these on-road savings, we will be able to bring many more riders into the Triumph family."

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Royal Enfield has announced the expansion of its Hunter 350 portfolio with the introduction of a Base Premium variant and two additional colourways for the Top variant. The updates were unveiled at the company’s HunterHood event in Lucknow on 4 April 2026.

The new Base Premium variant, available in Tarmac Black, is designed to provide an entry point into the range while incorporating features from higher-specification models.

It now gets alloy wheels replacing traditional spoke rims, a digi-analogue instrument cluster paired with rotary switchgear, single-channel ABS and a slip and assist clutch.

It also gets an updated round halogen headlamp, stitched seat and grab rail.

Furthermore, the top variants get two colour options Mumbai Yellow and Moonshot White.

The expansion aims to increase the reach of the Hunter 350 beyond urban centres into smaller towns and rural markets. The model continues to target a generation of riders seeking a lightweight and agile motorcycle for city environments.

The Hunter 350 base premium Tarmac Black model comes at INR 149,900 and the top variant in Mumbai Yellow / Moonshot White at INR 169,804.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Enfield, said, “The Hunter 350 continues to resonate strongly with a new generation of riders who value simplicity, usability and a strong sense of identity in what they ride. With the introduction of the Base Premium variant, we are strengthening the Hunter’s proposition by offering meaningful upgrades that enhance the everyday riding experience while keeping the platform accessible to a wider set of riders. This allows the Hunter to continue expanding its footprint not just in urban centres, but increasingly across smaller towns and rural markets as well. Additionally, the new colourways — Mumbai Yellow and Moonshot White — further reinforce the Hunter’s role as a motorcycle that reflects the culture, individuality and self-expression of the riders who choose it. We are confident that the 2026 Hunter 350 will continue to strengthen its place as a defining motorcycle for a new generation of riders across India.”

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