Kabira Mobility launched two hi-speed electric bikes – KM3000 and KM4000- targeting the young generation. The company now plans to go on mass production with a new plant being set up in Dharwad with an investment of INR 300 crore. “After the launch of two new hi-speed bikes, we will focus on mass production to meet demand. The plant will have a capacity to make 75,000 units per month and be fully functional by March this year,” said Jaibir Singh Siwach, CEO, Kabira Mobility.

Siwach claims the new Dharwad plant will be India’s largest EV plant, spread over 200,000 sq ft and generate 4000 direct and around 10000 indirect employment. Currently, the company has two plants, one in Goa and another in Dharwad, which have a production capacity of 10,000 units and 8,000 units, respectively.

Kabira Mobility is bringing its products in the market, which is being flooded with new products by established players and start-ups. However, the company has chosen its target customers- office goer and student segments.

“Around 80 percent of college students and office employees have less than 50 km run every day, and our new bikes give a range of more than 100 km per charge. Our targeted customers can charge their bikes at corporate parking premises and home. So, the range and charging will not be an issue. Being India’s fastest electric bikes, these bikes will thrill the young generation, who love speed and performance,” he said.

The KM 3000 is a fully faired sports-tourer with a top speed of 100 km/hr and has a riding range of 120 km on a single charge, claimed the company. The KM 4000, a street bike with naked design elements, is the fastest electric bike in the Indian market, with a top speed of 120 km/hr and a riding range of 160 km on a single charge. The bike supports Type 02 Universal Charger, which comes with an anti-removable lock and allows the rider to charge anywhere. Both bikes’ digital dashboard comes with 450 nits of brightness and Bluetooth connectivity, which shows ride statistics.

The company has also provided the keyless start feature available on KM Connect. Built for Indian Roads with IP67 Water Resistance which allows KM 3000 and KM 4000 to run in all weather and terrains. The bikes’ motor also comes with a dual sensor and temperature sensor for improved durability.

The company said deliveries of these bikes would start from May-2021. The company will launch its next products in July.

Speaking on the launch, Siwach said, “These bikes are a living testament to technological superiority and styling. We plan to extend our electric bike range by introducing more products to our portfolio. We believe that today’s young and mobile Indian has a strong appetite for powerful bikes simultaneously without causing any damage to the environment, and so, we see significant potential for these bikes in India. We aim to create a strong network that will provide our customers with a world-class experience and encourage the electric super biking segment in India.”

Additionally, through the KM mobile application, an owner can view charge cycles, battery temperature, battery score, and battery capacity used.

There are two modes of charging: Eco mode and Boost mode. The KM300 is more suited for overnight charging requiring 6 hours for a full charge; the latter takes two hours to charge fully.

The heart of the matter- the 4.4 kW battery- comes with a three-year warranty and is also fireproof.

Siwach said the bikes come with a battery life of 2,000 cycles and with a five-year warranty. “We also give the first three-year free replacement warranty,” he said.

The CEO also claims over 90 percent content of the bikes is localised. “All parts, including controllers and motors, except battery cells, are procured locally even battery packs are sourced from a local partner,” he said. The company also has in-house capabilities for building battery packs. It has partnered with Delta, Gabriel, Napino and Ceat for the local spare parts supply.

Talking on precaution on battery safety, Siwach said, “Battery explosions are no more challenge for EV makers. Battery safety largely depends on battery chemistry, components and BMS. If you use cheap components, then you compromise battery safety. We maintain the highest standard in battery safety.”

Both new bikes, powered by a DeltaEV BLDC Motor, are equipped with a digital instrument cluster featuring Bluetooth connectivity, optional riding modes, and a motor power indicator. Similarly, both motorcycles reach 0-40 km/hr in under three seconds and share the same DeltaEV Smart FOC Controller to regulate speed.

The riding modes include Eco, City, and Sports. The Anti-Theft is a practical feature that locks up the wheel on any unauthorised movement.

The recently-launched motorcycles are part of Kabira’s Phase-1 plan to commence operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad. Phase-2 will include 50 major cities in India and is expected to kick-off in August 2021.

Kabira Mobility got into the EV business in 2017 with six engineers with an aim to redefine India’s personal mobility industry. In 2019, it developed six different prototype models targeting school and college students, office goers and the delivery segment. The company unveiled five electric scooters- Kollegio, Kollegio Neo, Kollegio Plus, Intercity and Intercity Neo and one electric motorcycle-KM 3000 at the Auto Expo 2020.

“We unveiled the models in Auto Expo 2020 and launched them in June 2020. We received an encouraging response,” said Siwach. The Kollegio series, come with a swappable battery option, is designed for colleague students. The Intercity series come with cutting edge technology and functionality for daily city travellers and rental services.

During the development years of KM3000 and KM4000, the company engineers travel around the world and collected suitable inputs to develop the bikes in the local context.

As of now Kabira Mobility has more than 22 dealers and targets to get 50 dealers onboard pan India soon. At the initial stage, the company will set up dealers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Goa. “In these states, we will expand the dealer network deeply. However, for the rest states, we will focus on metro cities,” he said.

The company is looking for dealers passionate about electric vehicles with auto industry experience. “ We are also providing training to dealers on service of our products.” Kabira Mobility will provide on-call services in the major cities.

On spare parts side, Siwach does not find any challenge. “As the bike is made in India with over 90 percent local content, the company does not see any challenge in supplying spare parts,” Siwach added. (MT)

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Hero MotoCorp, a leading two-wheeler manufacturer globally, has announced its official entry into the Republic of Italy. This expansion marks the company’s entry into its 49th international market.

Product distribution will be managed by Pelpi International, a large distributor that offers sales, service, and parts through a network of over 160 dealers. Initial distribution will focus on key cities with 36 dealers, with plans to expand to 54 touchpoints.

The three models available at launch are the Xpulse 200 4V, Xpulse 200 4V Pro and Hunk 440. Both models comply with E5+ and EU standards.

Hunk 440: This model enters the L3e−A2 performance category. Its engine delivers torque of 36.0 Nm at 4000 rpm and power of 27 BHP at 6000 rpm. It features dual-channel ABS with 320 mm front and 240 mm rear discs, USD Cartridge Forks by KYB, a full-digital TFT display and navigation. The Hunk 440 starts at EUR 3,990 (Incl. VAT) and is available in Twilight Blue and Phantom Black.

Xpulse 200 Family: The Xpulse 200 4V Pro has a 4-Valve head that produces 18.9 BHP and 17.35 Nm torque. It includes three ABS Modes (Road, Off-road, and Rally). It is equipped with a digital speedometer, inverted LCD Display, navigation, and LED Projector headlamps. The Xpulse 200 4V starts at EUR 2,990, and the Xpulse 200 4V Pro at EUR 3,190.

Hero MotoCorp will offer a standard 3-year warranty and an additional 2-year warranty as a launch offer, extending the total warranty to 5 years.

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice-President, Hero MotoCorp, said, "Entering Italy, the very heartland of two-wheeler culture, marks a defining milestone in Hero MotoCorp’s global expansion journey. We aim to redefine ‘The Future of Mobility’ at a global scale with next-gen smart mobility solutions that cater to diverse riding preferences. With products that reflect both the Explorer and Liberator spirit, we are inviting Italian riders to experience Limitless Freedom and Limitless Adventure every day. Our success in the Dakar Rally with Hero MotoSports is a testimony of our global engineering excellence and the innovation in products that we are bringing for Italy market."

Cesare Gali, Managing Director, Pelpi International, said, “We are proud to champion Hero MotoCorp’s entry into Italy. Their global scale, product quality, and the unparalleled commitment of a 5-year warranty give us immense confidence. The Hunk 440 and Xpulse 200 fill crucial, highly competitive segments in Italy, offering a unique blend of technology and value that will resonate deeply with Italian consumers.”

Pelpi International will make the brand available with 36 dealerships across key cities.

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Chennai-headquartered mid-size motorcycle major Royal Enfield has further expanded its online presence on e-commerce platform Amazon India. The company is making available its entire range of 350cc motorcycles on the e-commerce platform.

The partnership aims to offer convenience in the purchasing process, in addition to payment options available on the platform. The purchase option is currently open to customers in five cities: Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune.

The range of 350cc models available includes the Classic 350, Bullet 350, Hunter 350, Goan Classic 350 and the new Meteor 350. These will be sold through a dedicated Royal Enfield brand store on Amazon India.

Delivery and aftersales service will be handled by the customer’s chosen Royal Enfield dealership in the city. The brand page also allows customers to buy genuine motorcycle accessories (GMAs), riding gear and merchandise.

Royal Enfield 350cc motorcycles are now available on two e-commerce platforms, reaching ten cities in India. They are sold through Amazon.in in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune, and via Flipkart.com in Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai.

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Aprilia Racing has achieved global success with the limited-edition RSV4 X-GP, announcing that all 30 units sold out in just fourteen days following its introduction at the Catalunya Grand Prix.

The company stated that the immediate sell-out confirms the strong international appeal of Aprilia's ‘X’ brand, which the company states is a reference point for exclusivity, innovation and pure performance.

Enthusiasts from markets including Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Malaysia and the United States secured the bikes, with booking requests reportedly exceeding availability during the presentation weekend itself.

The RSV4 X-GP was created by the Noale Racing Department to mark the 10^th anniversary of the RS-GP's debut in MotoGP, featuring the official MotoGP Team livery. It is the most powerful RSV4 ever built, boasting 238 HP for a mere 165 kg of weight, creating an ‘unprecedented riding experience.’

The bike introduces several track-focused innovations derived directly from the RS-GP prototype, notably becoming the first factory derivative bike in the world to feature leg and tail wings – aerodynamic solutions previously exclusive to the MotoGP machine. It also includes a structural carbon seat support.

Massimo Rivola, CEO, Aprilia Racing, said, “X confirms its status for Aprilia Racing as an exclusive and niche brand with enormous potential. Aprilia Racing is synonymous with innovation and it fills us with pride to see that, even at a strategic and product level, we have created an iconic brand and a new type of absolutely exclusive bike, conceived specifically for track enthusiasts.”

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Suzuki Motorcycle India, the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has introduced new colour line-up for the Suzuki Gixxer SF and Gixxer motorcycles.

The fully faired Suzuki Gixxer SF priced at INR 137,231 (ex-showroom Delhi) gets two new colours - Metallic Oort Gray + Pearl Mira Red and Glass Sparkle Black + Metallic Oort Gray. The company is also providing exchange benefits up to INR 5,000 and extended warranty at INR 1,999 or insurance benefits up to INR 7,000 as part of the festive sales offer.

On the other hand, the Suzuki Gixxer priced at INR 126,421 (ex-showroom Delhi) gets three new colours - Metallic Oort Gray + Pearl Mira Red, Glass Sparkle Black + Metallic Oort Gray and Metallic Triton Blue + Glass Sparkle Black. The company is offering exchange benefits up to INR 5,000 along with an extended warranty at INR 1,999 or alternatively insurance benefits up to INR 6,000.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF and Gixxer are powered by a 155 cc, BS-VI OBD-2 B-compliant single-cylinder engine equipped with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP), delivering 13.6 PS of power and 13.8 Nm of torque. This engine has a proven track record, having set a national endurance record in the 150cc category.

Both motorcycles feature European-inspired styling, highlighted by a LED headlamp and tail lamp, a sporty dual-muffler and split seats. The motorcycles also get a Bluetooth-enabled multi-function digital console with the Suzuki Ride Connect application. Key safety and performance features include single-channel ABS, wide radial tyres and a 7-step adjustable mono-shock for handling across varied conditions.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales and Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The fresh colours of Gixxer SF and Gixxer underline Suzuki’s commitment to blending style, performance and innovation while catering to the aspirations of young Indian riders. With these enhancements, the motorcycles reflect Suzuki’s engineering and design philosophy, combining sporty character with comfort for both everyday city rides and long-distance touring. Along with attractive purchase benefits and easy ownership options, the updated line-up adds to the festive excitement and strengthens the connect of the GIXXER brand with customers across the country.”

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