Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, achieved its highest-ever retail sales during the recent 32-day festive period, starting from Navratri.

The company states it sold 1.6 million two-wheelers, up 13 percent YoY, with robust demand from both urban and rural India.

Hero MotoCorp’s growth was led by the 125cc motorcycle segment, with Xtreme 125R, as a key driver, while the 100cc segment also contributed positively to the company's strong sales performance.

Vida, Hero MotoCorp's electric vehicle brand, also achieved a significant milestone of 11,600 unit sales during the same period. The OEM say the EV business was leveraging Hero Premia and Hero 2.0 outlets, in conjunction with a heightened emphasis on the Top 30 towns, which yielded positive results.

In the premium space, the Harley-Davidson X440 went home to 2,800 buyers. The company expects further growth as it expands the Premia network to over 100 locations by the end of this fiscal year.

Niranjan Gupta, CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said “For the second consecutive year we have achieved our highest-ever festive retail sales, which is a testament to Hero MotoCorp's position as the preferred brand in India. We are grateful for the unwavering trust of our millions of customers. There has been good momentum and growth in most parts of the country with rural sales catching up with the urban segment in the latter half of the festive season. We expect the momentum to continue and are optimistic about the remainder of the year.”  

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric has expanded its Hyperservice initiative by launching dedicated centres that offer a same-day service guarantee for eligible customers at no extra cost. The company will upgrade its existing service infrastructure into Hyperservice Centres, beginning with a facility in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.

The expansion is intended to reduce service lead times and increase transparency through a digital workflow.

The Hyperservice Centres include several facilities for customers and technical upgrades for vehicle maintenance. The waiting area includes a lounge and Wi-Fi connectivity for customers. Real-time visibility of the servicing stages is provided via the Ola Electric app. Going forward, the company plans to upgrade selected centres across India in the coming weeks.

Ola Electric has also transitioned Hyperservice into an open platform. This move makes the company’s spare parts, diagnostic tools, and training modules available to independent garages, mechanics, and fleet operators.

Under this model, parts can be purchased directly through the Ola Electric app or website. This is intended to allow garages and customers to access components without the use of intermediaries.

“As part of the ongoing service upgrade we are reimagining many of the fundamental aspects of the service experience. We see it as a core part of Ola ownership, and it needs the same level of innovation as the product itself. With Hyperservice Centres, we are setting a new benchmark – same-day service guarantee. At no extra cost for any customer. This is about using technology, process redesign and scale to remove friction and give every Ola customer a faster, simpler and more transparent service experience,” said the company in a statement.

The company has rolled out an in-app service appointment feature nationwide. The tool allows users to select service slots, track the status of their vehicle, and manage maintenance requirements within the unified platform to replace traditional booking methods.

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India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced the appointment of Hajime Aota as the Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective from 1 January 2026. He is set to succeed Itaru Otani, who held the position since November 2024.

The appointment comes as Yamaha continues its focus on the premium segment and digital integration within the Indian two-wheeler market.

Aota joins the Indian operations with experience in corporate strategy, planning and venture business development. He has held leadership roles in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Prior to this role, Aota served as Executive Officer at Yamaha Motor Co, and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Centre at the global headquarters in Japan. In these positions, he managed corporate strategy, sustainability and digital transformation.

He has also worked as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV) overseeing investments in robotics, transportation, fintech and health technologies. He has also contributed towards Yamaha Motor Group’s long-term growth strategy.

Aota is a graduate of Keio University and holds a qualification from the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.

Hajime Aota, said, “I am very excited to begin my journey in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse two-wheeler markets. The rapidly evolving aspirations of Indian consumers, especially the youth, align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Leading Yamaha in India is a significant responsibility, and my focus is on strengthening the brand by delivering products that seamlessly combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the evolving needs of Indian riders. I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”

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The 12th edition of India Bike Week (IBW) concluded on 22 December 2025, marking the festival's first shift from Goa to the hill station of Panchgani in Maharashtra. Supported by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the event attracted approximately 16,000 attendees including motorcyclists, clubs and families.

The festival featured motorcycle launches, racing competitions, stunt shows, and sessions with global overlanding figures. Local infrastructure was developed in coordination with authorities in the Satara district to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Product Launches and Industry Reveals

Several manufacturers utilised the event to introduce new products to the Indian market:

• Triumph: Launched the updated Trident 660 middleweight motorcycle.
• Aprilia: Introduced new colour schemes for the RS 457, presented by MotoGP pilot Lorenzo Savadori.
• KTM: Announced the KTM Adventure Rally Cup, a competitive programme for adventure riders.
• SMK Helmets: Released the Cygnus helmet, featuring an LED sensor system that pulses during deceleration.
• Reise Moto: Launched four specialised tyre ranges: tourRad (touring), torqR 03 SX (supercross), trackR (flat track), and twistR (EV).
• Gulf: Introduced the Syntrac range of fully synthetic engine oils.
• VIDA: Showcased the DIRT.E K3, a motorcycle designed for children.

Competition Results

The festival hosted several FMSCI-backed races and custom-build contests:

Martin da Costa, Festival Director, India Bike Week, said, “This edition will truly go down in IBW history as a season that rose above numerous challenges. We are deeply grateful to the local authorities and Kamran Dubash from the Dubash Airfield for warmly welcoming us and supporting the hosting of IBW 2025 in the beautiful town of Panchgani. It is incredibly heartening to see bikers and enthusiasts from across the country come together to celebrate the undying spirit of the biking community—one that never gives up. This experience only strengthens our resolve to continue delivering newer, richer, and more exciting experiences at India Bike Week every year.”

The event included technical workshops and stunt displays. Pol Tarres performed a Hard Enduro show, while Skoda conducted over 750 off-road trials in the Kodiaq. Mentorship sessions were led by overlanding figures such as Elspeth Beard and Simon & Lisa Thomas, focusing on long-distance travel and technical riding skills.

The festival concluded with musical performances by King and Karan Kanchan, alongside a camp-style gathering in the Western Ghats.

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Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati India unveiled the Desmo450 MX motocross machine at the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL). The debut took place on Sunday, 21 December, during the league's final race in Calicut, marking the first time the model has been shown in the country.

The ISRL is a franchise-based supercross league, and the unveiling serves as a step in the brand's strategy to increase its presence in the Indian motorcycle market.

The Desmo450 MX incorporates technology developed through the company's racing programme. Key technical features include: a 449.6 cc single-cylinder unit, desmodromic distribution valve system, chassis constructed with an aluminium frame and comes equipped with an electronic traction control system designed to define rear wheel slippage.

The introduction of the motocross model follows the growth of the off-road segment in India. The company plans to launch the motorcycle for sale in the Indian market next year.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, “The reception for the Desmo450 MX in Calicut was phenomenal. The passion and excitement from the fans were palpable, and it was the perfect welcome for our new off-road chapter. Unveiling the Desmo450 MX at the ISRL finale was the ideal decision, it confirms our belief in the immense potential of the Indian market, and we look forward to launching it next year.”

The Desmo450 MX is intended for use by both amateur and professional riders, with its design and electronics suite developed to manage performance in racing conditions.

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