Chetak Bookings Closed 48 Hours After Re-Opening
- By MT Bureau
- April 15, 2021
High demand coupled with supply concerns forced Bajaj Auto to cease accepting bookings for its electric scooter, Chetak, within 48 hours of re-opening.
Bajaj re-opened the booking for Chetak in Bengaluru and Pune on the 13th of April 2021. The online booking was open on a first-come, first-serve basis. The booking portal was crowded as soon as it opened, and the company received a large number of confirmed orders within 48 hours, forcing a shutdown until the next round of booking.
Commenting on the response, Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director at Bajaj Auto Ltd., said, “We are absolutely delighted to see the fabulous response to the re-opening of bookings for the Chetak electric scooter in Pune and Bengaluru. Covid-led disruptions last year resulted in an unintended and long waiting period but despite that we have seen very few cancellations of bookings. We thank our customers in Pune and Bengaluru for their patience and now this overwhelming response. We are conscious that customers would like to receive early deliveries of Chetak and start enjoying it as soon as possible, hence we have had to take the difficult decision of closing the bookings in view of continuing supply chain uncertainties. However, it is our endeavour to resolve the supply chain issues at the earliest, re-open bookings as well as roll into more cities within the next quarter.” (MT)
Simple Energy Expands Retail Presence With 5 New Outlets Across India
- By MT Bureau
- April 09, 2026
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.”
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Crosses 10 Million Sales Milestone In East Region
- By MT Bureau
- April 08, 2026
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.”
Triumph Motorcycles Crosses 100,000 Sales Milestone In India, Reduces Price On Mid-Size Offerings
- By MT Bureau
- April 06, 2026
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."
Royal Enfield Expands 2026 Hunter 350 Line-up With New Variant And Colours
- By MT Bureau
- April 04, 2026
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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