Rapido announces 500-city Expansion plans at Bharat Mobility Expo 2025

For Representational Purpose

India’s urban transportation landscape is poised for a significant shift as Rapido reveals its ambitious 500-city expansion plan at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, which began on January 17th. The company’s participation in the expo highlights its dedication to fostering economic empowerment and improving connectivity through accessible, convenient transportation solutions.

Already operating in over 120 cities and having facilitated over 200 crore rides, Rapido’s expansion will roll out in phases, starting in February across Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Rajasthan. This will be followed by a gradual expansion to states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, addressing the diverse transportation needs of a rapidly evolving India. With INR 151.11 billion earned by its Captains since inception and facilitating 3.6 million daily rides, Rapido continues to be a major player in India’s urban mobility sector.

Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli noted, “The Bharat Mobility Expo offers an essential platform to discuss the future of transportation in India. We’re excited to share how technology can drive positive social and economic impact. Our expansion to 500 cities is a testament to our commitment to empowering individuals and creating a more connected India.”

KTM Updates 160 Duke With TFT Display And Connectivity At INR 178,536

KTM

Bajaj Auto-owned Austrian motorcycle brand KTM has updated the 160 Duke featuring a 5-inch colour TFT display at INR 178,536, while the base variant comes at INR 170,545. The screen uses bonded glass and includes navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 5-inch display is derived from the Gen-3 KTM 390 Duke. It is operated via a switch cube on the handlebar using 4-way menu switches. Riders can connect smartphones through the KTM Connect and KTM My-Ride apps to access vehicle data and travel information.

Features of the connectivity system include: Turn-by-turn directions displayed on the screen. Identification of incoming calls with the option to accept or decline via the mode switch. Outgoing calls and address book access are disabled during transit. Control of smartphone music players, including track selection and volume adjustment, when paired with a helmet headset.

The 160 Duke includes a Supermoto ABS mode, which can be toggled through the display menus. This setting disengages the ABS on the rear wheel for specific riding requirements.

The interface also allows for customisation of shift RPM and limit RPM. The display background transitions between dark and orange themes based on these settings. Users can also configure shortcuts for specific functions and infographics on the screen.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, said, “With the new TFT display, the KTM 160 Duke becomes even more intuitive and engaging to ride. This upgrade reinforces KTM’s focus on combining sharp performance with advanced rider technology in an accessible package.”

Bajaj Pulsar 220F MY2026 Launched At INR 128,000

Bajaj Pulsar 220F

Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has launched the 2026 Pulsar 220F with new LED blinkers and graphics at INR 128,000.

The 2026 model retains the frame of the previous version while introducing updates to the lighting and aesthetic components.

The Pulsar 220F continues to use the same DTS-i engine platform. It features 220cc Twin Spark DTS-I, single-cylinder oil-cooled engine, which produces 20.9 PS at 8,500 rpm. It gets front and rear disc brakes with single-channel ABS.

The motorcycle now features updated graphics and LED turn indicators. It is available in four colour options: Black Cherry Red, Black Ink Blue, Black Copper Beige and Green Light Copper.

The 2026 Pulsar 220F includes a digital console equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. This system integrates with the Ride Connect app to provide turn-by-turn navigation and phone notifications to the rider.

Gaurav Gupta Of TVS Motor Elected As IMMA Vice President

Gaurav Gupta Of TVS Motor Elected As IMMA Vice President

Gaurav Gupta, the President of TVS Motor's two-wheeler business in India, has been chosen as the Vice President of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA). He will represent the Indian automobile industry's association, SIAM, in this global role. IMMA is based in Geneva and acts as the worldwide voice for companies that make motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers. Its members include industry associations from major markets like India, Europe, Japan, United States and several countries in Southeast Asia.

The core goal of IMMA is to support motorcycling that is safe, environmentally sustainable and economically practical. To achieve this, the organisation works directly with international regulators. For almost 70 years, IMMA has been actively involved with the United Nations committees that create global vehicle safety and design rules. It also partners with other important groups like the International Transport Forum and the OECD to improve traffic safety data and analysis.

A key part of IMMA's mission is protecting riders. In 2013, it joined the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration to work more closely with the World Health Organization. This partnership specifically aims to reduce accidents and enhance safety for the billions of people worldwide who use powered two- and three-wheelers for transportation.

Hero MotoCorp And Harley-Davidson Unveil All-New H-D X440 T And CVO Models

H-D X440 T

Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have jointly introduced the all-new Harley-Davidson H-D X440 T as the latest addition to their co-developed premium motorcycle lineup. The launch marks a significant expansion of the partnership, introducing a new model that delivers performance, agility, and design, while offering the latest modern riding aids.

The H-D X440 T starts at INR  279,500 (ex-showroom). It debuts with several new features, such as the introduction of Ride by Wire with Switchable Traction Control and Switchable ABS (rear only). New Ride Modes (Road and Rain). A redesigned rear sub-frame with a tail section and grab handles for better pillion ergonomics. Panic Braking Alert, where all indicators signal emergency braking by blinking four times faster than the standard rate when deceleration is higher than 2.4 m/s2.

Bookings for the H-D X440 T open on 7th December 2025 across the Harley-Davidson and Hero Premia dealer network in India.

Alongside the X440 T, the partners also unveiled the top-of-the-line Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) motorcycles in India, introducing the CVO Street Glide and the CVO Road Glide.

The partners stated that the launch of the original Harley-Davidson X440 in July 2023 was a success for the brand, broadening access to the Harley-Davidson community in India.

Building on the momentum of the Harley-Davidson X440, Harley-Davidson India announced actor Ahaan Panday as its new Brand Ambassador. Panday will lead upcoming campaigns, product showcases and rider community initiatives.

Kolja Rebstock, Senior Vice-President - International Markets, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, said, “The success of the H-D X440 established a strong foundation for our brand’s evolution in India, and the H-D X440 T represents the next strategic step in bringing advanced technology and a dynamic, sport-oriented appeal to a new generation of riders. At the same time, the introduction of our CVO™ flagship models underscores our commitment to delivering the full Harley-Davidson experience across the entire premium motorcycling spectrum from accessible entry points to the pinnacle of Grand American Touring.”

Ravi Avalur, Head, Harley-Davidson Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The expansion of the X440 platform with the new model marks a significant milestone in deepening our partnership with Harley-Davidson and reinforces Hero MotoCorp’s strategic focus on the premium motorcycle segment. With advanced rider technologies and contemporary styling, the H-D X440 T strengthens our position in a category central to our long-term growth agenda. Our collaboration continues to deliver aspirational, high-quality products that align with the evolving preferences of modern Indian riders. The introduction of Ahaan Panday as our brand ambassador further complements this strategy, enhancing our appeal to a new generation and reflecting Hero MotoCorp’s vision to lead India’s premium motorcycling landscape.”

The pricing for the expanded H-D X440 line-up and the CVO models is as follows:

Model

Starting Price (Ex-Showroom)

H-D X440 T (New)

INR 279,500

H-D X440 S

INR 254,900

H-D X440 Vivid

INR 234,500

Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide™

INR 6.73 million

Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide™

INR 6.30 million