Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp, has taken the lead position at the ongoing Rallye du Maroc 2024 with an impressive performance in Stage 1. Hero team pilot Ross Branch emerged as the fastest rider of the stage.

Riders Ross Branch, Sebastian Buhler and Nacho Cornejo, who were competing in the premier Rally GP Class, finished the first stage in 1st, 6th and 8th place, respectively. In the overall Rally GP Class standings, they are currently ranked 1st, 6th and 9th. Branch had the advantage of starting 11th for Stage 1 after placing second in the Prologue, which he capitalised by finishing first by a 48-second cushion over his closest rival. Cornejo started the stage today and made a determined effort to go cautiously across the incredibly challenging terrain, reaching the finish line without suffering any significant errors.

The first complete Stage of the 2024 edition included 180 km of timed sections and an additional 200 km of liaisons. The event organisers had to make last-minute changes to the race strategy yesterday when floods caused delays in the cars' arrival at the bivouac in Zagora. Participants in Stage 1 were dispatched on the Stage 2 course, although with a shorter mileage and later start times. However, this circuit around Zagora turned out to be one of the most difficult stages that Maroc has experienced recently. On rocky, uneven paths badly harmed by the rains, the day began with dangerous pathways that lay ahead, with much of the original routes swept away. In the last stretch, where visible, rolling trails guided the way to the finish line, the riders finally found some solace after risking their journey across narrow dunes.

In Stage 2, the participants will return to the original course planned for Stage 1. This second loop around Zagora will be one of the longest specialities in this year, spanning 314 km in the Sahara and an additional 158 kilometres in road sections.

Rallye du Maroc is the fifth and final round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2024. Since the second race of this season, Branch has held the top place in the standings chart, and this impressive perfoemance in the Maroc Rally has increased his chances of winning the World Championship title.

Branch said, "I’m happy to have finished Stage 1 with a good result. It was a really tough one – definitely one of the most challenging stages I’ve ever ridden at Rallye Du Maroc! The tracks were really beaten up and washed away from yesterday’s rains, but I managed to pull through. Nacho did an amazing job opening the track; I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been for him. Opening the Stage tomorrow will be a mammoth task, but we’re pushing forward with confidence."

Buhler said, "It was a very difficult Stage – perhaps one of the hardest I’ve ever ridden here at Maroc. The terrain was full of rocks and rivers, making it challenging to manoeuvre. I tried to maintain a good pace, but it wasn’t easy – every time I went full on the gas, I seemed to be hitting something. I’m glad to have finished well, and I hope tomorrow will be a bit smoother."

Cornejo said, "Stage 1 is complete, and it was very rough, thanks to the rains from yesterday. I did my best opening the Stage, and lost a few minutes here and there. But overall, I’m happy with my focus and navigation. Tomorrow is a new day, so we’ll keep pushing and doing our best – one day at a time."

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced pricing for the Honda QC3 electric scooter, the locally manufactured Honda CB500 roadster and the updated Honda CB350 range comprising the CB350, CB350RS and CB350C models.

The releases mark the next phase of a 10-product portfolio introduced in July 2026. Bookings for all five models have opened across India with a booking deposit of INR 5,000.

The Honda QC3 electric scooter is priced at INR 135,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi) with initial sales to cover five cities — Delhi, Agra, Cuttack, Surat and Kollam — through select Honda RedWing dealerships.

The vehicle incorporates a 3.0 kWh battery providing a certified Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) range of 145 kilometres per charge. Charging from zero to 80 percent requires two hours and 40 minutes, with a full charge taking approximately four hours. The scooter features a 5-inch TFT instrument screen with Honda RoadSync connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, a smart key and 32 litres of storage capacity. The Honda QC3 e-scooter can be had in colour options include Matt Photon Gray Metallic, Pearl Precious White, Pearl Shallow Blue and Pearl Siren Blue.

The Honda CB500 roadster is priced at INR 275,000 for the alloy wheel variant, INR 299,900 for the spoke tubeless variant and INR 301,900 for the spoke tubeless with stripe variant (ex-showroom Bengaluru).

The motorcycle is produced in India and powered by a 501cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine with an oil cooler. Equipment includes an all-LED lighting system, an analogue-digital instrument cluster, Honda Selectable Torque Control, an assist and slipper clutch, Honda RoadSync and front and rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. Deliveries will take place nationwide through Honda BigWing dealerships in Pearl Deep Ground Grey, Pearl Igneous Black, Mat Steel Silver Metallic and Rebel Red Metallic.

The refreshed Honda CB350 range starts at INR 195,200 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), for the standard CB350 model, extending up to INR 204,700 for the top-specification CB350C Special Edition.

The updates introduce new paint options across the CB350, CB350RS and CB350C models without mechanical alterations. The motorcycles retain their 348.6cc air-cooled engines, all-LED lighting, Honda RoadSync, Honda Selectable Torque Control, assist and slipper clutches and dual-channel ABS. Dispatches to Honda BigWing dealerships began on 21 September 2026.

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BikeWo Green Tech is aiming to expand its operating fleet to approximately 10,000 vehicles during FY2026-27, supported by a preferential warrant issue of more than INR 760 million.

The expansion forms part of a corporate transition from vehicle sales and distribution toward electric vehicle asset ownership, fleet operations, leasing and logistics technology, operating under the initiative name BikeWo Ascend.

As part of this strategy, BikeWo has secured agreements with Reliance Industries’ Bio Energy Division to supply and deploy electric tractors fitted with loader, catcher and grabber equipment, along with vehicle operation and driver services. The contracts hold an estimated total value of INR 66.4 million, with validity extending through July 2033 for use in biomass-handling and bio-energy operations.

Hiten Pal Saklani, CEO, BikeWo Green Tech, said, "For us, BikeWo Ascend is about building a much larger business around electric mobility. We started with vehicles, but we see a significantly bigger opportunity in the infrastructure, operations and technology that enable those vehicles to deliver value. Our engagement in the bio-energy sector is an encouraging example of how specialised electric mobility can find applications beyond conventional transportation."

The business model covers mid-mile, last-mile and long-mile commercial transport, alongside enterprise fleet management and charging infrastructure. To support the operational shift, BikeWo has named Sumanth Badiga, an executive with 30 years of experience in the automotive sector, to its Advisory Board.

"Scale for us is not simply about putting more vehicles on the road. It is about building the operating capability around those vehicles. We want to create a platform that can bring together the right assets, partners, technology and operating capabilities for different mobility requirements. As we expand across India, that is the business we are focused on building," added Saklani.

The company is listed on the National Stock Exchange under the ticker BIKEWO and plans to establish further operating partnerships across energy, logistics and technology sectors to support its fleet operations across India.

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Bajaj Auto Ltd. has unveiled a new television commercial for the all-new Pulsar 150, marking 25 years of a motorcycle and advertising legacy that helped establish India’s sports motorcycling segment. Ogilvy conceptualised the film as a sequel to Pulsar’s iconic launch campaign, considered one of the firsts in advertising history.

The narrative revisits two nurses who, a quarter-century later, encounter something familiar beneath a white sheet, sparking déjà vu that transports them to their original encounter before the new Pulsar 150 is revealed. Retaining the original’s energy and tempo, the sequel brings the story into the present.

Pulsar’s 2001 arrival reshaped perceptions of what a motorcycle could represent, injecting performance, attitude and excitement into a category dominated by everyday mobility. With over 20 million units sold globally, Pulsar has become a worldwide performance brand, driven by the ‘Definitely Daring’ ethos that has defined it from the start.

Sumeet Narang, President – Marketing, Bajaj Auto Ltd., said, “Pulsar has always stood for an attitude that goes beyond the motorcycle itself. Over the years, that attitude has evolved with the riders, the category and the brand, but its essence remains ‘Definitely Daring’. This campaign gives us an opportunity to celebrate that journey in a way that feels relevant today, with the all-new Pulsar 150 representing the next expression of that spirit.”

Sukesh Nayak, Group Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy India, said, “Creating the next chapter of a film that is so deeply remembered presents a very different creative challenge. The audience already knows the setup, so the opportunity was to use that familiarity to build anticipation and then surprise them with where the film goes. The visual cues and rhythm create that instant recognition, while the new turn in the story keeps it firmly rooted in the present.”

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched a new variant of its Glamour X 125cc motorcycle equipped with single-channel anti-lock braking paired with an integrated braking system.

The motorcycle represents the initial application of single-channel ABS alongside an integrated braking layout in the 125cc commuter segment, aiming to reduce stopping distances and maintain vehicle stability during deceleration.

The braking configuration operates in conjunction with existing safety equipment on the motorcycle, which includes panic brake alert signals that activate flashing LED indicators during sudden deceleration, as well as hazard lamps.

The Glamour X 125 is powered by a Sprint-EBT engine generating 11.4 horsepower (8.5 kW) at 8,250 rpm. It comes with three selectable riding modes – Eco, Road and Power –and features cruise control functionality.

Ashutosh Varma, CBO of the India Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, "The 125cc segment is witnessing a rapid evolution, with customers increasingly demanding a blend of contemporary styling, advanced technology and uncompromised safety. The Glamour X has already disrupted this space with category-first features including Ride Modes and Cruise Control. By introducing first-in-segment integrated ABS, we are not just upgrading a motorcycle; we are reshaping the safety standards for the entire category. This launch strengthens our portfolio and offers intelligent, future-ready mobility solutions that empower the new-age Indian rider."

The motorcycle utilises a 10.7 cm multi-colour instrument console with ambient backlighting that displays gear shift guidance, distance-to-empty metrics and real-time fuel consumption data. The display system supports Bluetooth connectivity to supply turn-by-turn navigation with estimated time of arrival notifications, alongside call and message alerts. Physical features include full LED lighting, a C-type USB charging port, under-seat storage compartments and a flat seat layout.

The Glamour X with integrated ABS is available at dealerships across India priced at INR 101,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). It can be had in Gun Metal Grey, Matt Axis Grey, Black Pearl Red, and Black Teal Blue colour options.

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