Hero’s Rally Team Signs Rider Franco Caimi, Preparation Underway For Dakar 2022
- By MT Bureau
- April 30, 2021
Hero MotoSports Team Rally has signed Argentine Franco Caimi as its fourth rider.
In 2004, Franco became the youngest rider in enduro history to win a gold medal at the age of 16. He has won two Latin American championships, three national championships each in Argentina and Chile and six gold medals at the gruelling International Six Days Enduro.
At the prestigious Dakar Rally, Franco won the Rookie of the Year title once in 2017 with an eighth-place finish and obtained the same result again – at the 2020 season.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the team is set to commence its Road to Dakar 2022 with the upcoming Andalucia Rally scheduled from May 11-16, 2021 at Villamartin, Spain. This will also be the first outing for Franco in Hero MotoSports colours.
Hero kicked off 2021 with an impressive performance at the Dakar Rally with two of its riders – Joaquim Rodrigues and Sebastian Buhler – posting their best-ever Dakar standings finishing at the 11th and 14th positions respectively.
The team’s campaign in 2020 was disrupted by the Covid-19 enforced restrictions; however, as motorsports activities gradually resumed across the globe, they had two very productive outings in the Andalucia Rally and the BAJA Portalegre, winning the latter, with Sebastian Buhler and Joaquim Rodrigues securing the 1st and the 2nd place respectively. With this win, Sebastian was crowned the winner of the FIM BAJA World Cup, giving Hero MotoSports Team Rally their first BAJA World Cup win.
Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, “We are excited to kick off the Road to Dakar 2022 campaign with a strong addition to our team. Within a short span of time, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has created a differentiated position for itself and we are glad to appeal to talented riders like Franco. It is definitely a big boost for us. Currently, we are prepping up for the Andalucia Rally and are extremely excited to have Franco represent the Team. We wish him good luck for a successful journey with Hero Motosports Team Rally.”
Franco Caimi, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, “It's an honour for me to be associated with Hero MotoCorp, which has a rich heritage and has achieved great significance in the rally sport. I am extremely thrilled to join the team and thank them for bestowing their faith in my abilities. The team has been delivering impressive performance over the years and I look forward to riding alongside some of the best and promising riders in the sport.” (MT)
Hero MotoCorp Reports 44% Wholesales Growth In February 2026
- By MT Bureau
- March 01, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has recorded its highest YoY dispatch performance for February, with 558,216 units sold. This represents a 44 percent increase compared to the 388,068 units dispatched during the same month in 2025.
The company also reported an 18 percent increase in VAHAN registrations, totalling 458,346 units for the month.
Hero MotoCorp attributed the growth to the 100cc–125cc motorcycle segment and the scooter category, specifically the Xoom and Destini models.
VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, recorded a threefold increase in market share compared to February 2025. Registrations for VIDA reached 12,514 units, reflecting a shift in consumer adoption of electric vehicles in the company's markets.
The international business division saw dispatches rise from 30,772 units to 41,248 units. This double-digit growth in global markets was attributed to demand for the company’s portfolio of premium motorcycles.
TVS Motor Company Sells 529,308 Units In February 2026
- By MT Bureau
- March 01, 2026
TVS Motor Company (TVSM), one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers, has recorded monthly sales of 529,308 units for February 2026, up 31 percent YoY, as compared to the 403,976 units sold last year.
The company’s international business achieved its highest sales to date, with total exports reaching 158,000 units during the month.
Total two-wheeler sales rose by 30 percent, increasing from 391,889 units in the previous year to 507,862 units. Within this segment, domestic sales grew by 32 percent, reaching 365,471 units.
In February 2026, the company sold 241,282 motorcycles, up 25 percent YoY, 219,895 scooters, up 34 percent YoY, while three-wheeler sales grew by 77 percent YoY to 21,446 units.
The electric vehicle (EV) segment recorded a 60 percent growth rate, with sales rising from 24,017 units in February 2025 to 38,386 units in February 2026.
Total exports for the company registered a 27 percent increase, moving from 124,993 units to 158,268 units. Two-wheeler exports specifically saw a 23 percent rise, reaching 142,391 units.
Hero MotoCorp Partners Haryana Police For Women’s Road Safety Rally
- By MT Bureau
- March 01, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, in collaboration with the Haryana Police and the Raahgiri Foundation, organised a women’s night rally titled #SheRidesForSafety. The event featured 150 women riders who completed a 9-kilometre route through the streets of Gurugram during late evening hours to promote road safety and inclusivity.
The rally was flagged off by Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr Rajesh Mohan, Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police and Sanjay Bhan, Vice-President at Hero MotoCorp. During the event, fourteen women traffic police officers were honoured for their contributions to safe mobility.
The rally is a component of ‘Ride Safe India’, a three-month campaign launched in January 2026. The programme is based on the 4Es of road safety – Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care – as defined by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).
The campaign includes training sessions, awareness drives and school activations designed to establish safe riding as a social responsibility. By focusing on women at the centre of the narrative, the initiative aims to address safety and behavioural change across urban communities.
Latika Taneja, Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Hero MotoCorp, said, “As the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, with millions riding Hero MotoCorp’s vehicles every day, road safety is not simply a priority, it is a responsibility that defines us. Through our Ride Safe India campaign, we are working to shape a culture of safety by driving sustained behaviour change across communities. Today’s women’s rally reaffirms our belief that safe mobility is fundamental to true empowerment because when women move freely and safely, societies move forward with them.”
Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Headquarters, Gurugram Police, stated, “Initiatives like the Ride Safe India go far beyond road safety awareness, they send a decisive message that our roads belong to every citizen, at every hour. We are proud to stand alongside Hero MotoCorp in creating a safer, more inclusive public space. As a department, we remain committed to partnering with organizations that translate intent into visible, on-ground impact.”
Suzuki Motorcycle Expands India Presence With First Sikkim Dealership
- By MT Bureau
- February 28, 2026
Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL) has inaugurated Himalayan Suzuki in Gangtok, marking the company’s first retail entry into the state of Sikkim. With this opening, the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation now maintains a presence across every state in India.
The facility, located at Lower Sichey, operates as a ‘3S’ outlet, providing sales, service and spare parts. The expansion into the North-East is intended to address demand for vehicles capable of operating in terrain characterised by inclines and varied road conditions.
Himalayan Suzuki retails the company’s full domestic portfolio. The service wing is equipped with tools for maintenance and is staffed by professionals trained to manage the manufacturer's technical requirements.
The company’s product portfolio includes Access, Avenis, Burgman Street, and the electric e-ACCESS scooters. The GIXXER, GIXXER SF, GIXXER 250, GIXXER SF 250 and the V-STROM SX in the motorcycle segment.
Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Sikkim is an important market for us in the North-East. The state’s unique terrain calls for two-wheelers that offer consistent performance and reliability across inclines and varied road conditions. Suzuki’s portfolio has been well accepted in such environments. With the inauguration of Himalayan Suzuki in Gangtok, customers will now have easier access to our complete range of scooters & motorcycles and after-sales support. We sincerely thank our dealer partner, Himalayan Suzuki, for their collaboration in making this possible. With this addition, SMIPL is now present across all states of India.”
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