Royal Enfield, the Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer, has begun the local assembly of motorcycles in Argentina in partnership with Grupo Simpa, Royal Enfield’s local distributor in the country since 2018. This will be the first time in Royal Enfield’s modern history that motorcycles will be assembled and produced outside the company’s manufacturing facilities in Chennai, India. The event for the local assembly announcement was graced by Alberto Fernández, President of Argentina.

The local assembly unit in Argentina will be based at Grupo Simpa’s facility located in Campana, Buenos Aires. To begin with, the plant will locally assemble three motorcycle models - the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 - starting this month.

Royal Enfield is a global leader in the mid-size motorcycle segment (250-750cc) and Argentina is among the biggest mid-size motorcycle markets in Latin America. Royal Enfield had set up its retail operations in Argentina in March 2018 with its first store in Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires. Today, it has 5 exclusive retail stores in Argentina which is part of the 31 exclusive retail stores and 40 other retail touchpoints in all of the Latin American countries.

Speaking about the announcement, Vinod K Dasari, CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “Royal Enfield has been working steadily to grow and expand the middleweight motorcycling segment globally and also to increase our footprint in important global markets. Over the last couple of years, we have grown our international presence significantly and now have a wide retail presence across 60 countries. With a strategic view to cater to growing demand and to gain significant market advantage, we have been pursuing our plans to set up local assembly units across specific markets in the Asia Pacific region and across South America. In the first of these, we are very happy to announce the first CKD assembly plant in Argentina.”
 
Commenting specifically about the focus on Argentina as a market, Vinod K Dasari also said, “Argentina and other South American countries have been an important market for Royal Enfield. Ever since we commenced sales since 2018 in Argentina, we have received a resounding response to our motorcycles from consumers. The local terrain and topography create the perfect canvas for riding our motorcycles, especially the Himalayan. The initial success of the 650 Twin motorcycles has also been very encouraging. We are deeply committed to focusing on becoming a part of the fabric of the country’s rich motorcycling culture. Our decision to start assembling our motorcycles in Argentina is a testament to our long term commitment and increasing confidence in the market.”
 
Brazil, Argentina and Colombia are among the three most important markets for Royal Enfield in Latin America. Beyond India (the biggest market for the brand with over 900 dealerships), Royal Enfield motorcycles reach consumers and enthusiasts in more than 60 countries worldwide, through 660 dealerships and 82 exclusive brand stores in nodal cities such as Milwaukee, London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Melbourne, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Medellin, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.
 

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Bajaj Auto-owned Austrian motorcycle brand KTM has expanded its product portfolio in India with the launch of the new KTM 160 Duke.

The move is part of the company’s focus on expanding its product offering to attract a newer set of customers, especially in the premium affordable motorcycle segment.

The KTM 160 Duke is powered by a 164.2 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which produces 19 Ps of power and 15.5 Nm of torque.

It features KTM’s split trellis frame for stability and agility, optimised WP Apex fork with hollow axle for improved rigidity, bionic light wheels & lighter hugger tube to reduce unsprung mass, casted pillion step holder and sleek, functional grab rail for enhanced aesthetics and ergonomics. The braking is handled by a 320mm front disc and 230mm rear disc. Lastly, it is equipped with a 5-inch LCD display for instrumentation.

Manik Nangia, President – Probiking, said, "Inside every one of us is a racer. We all have that instinct to compete and push limits. For over a decade, KTM has given that instinct expression – defining India’s premium sport motorcycle category with an uncompromising ‘Ready to Race’ mindset and thrilling generations of young riders. With the new KTM 160 Duke, we’ve distilled KTM’s legendary DNA into performance motorcycles that are more accessible than ever – without sacrificing the performance, precision, and attitude that define every KTM."

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has reported its financial results with standalone revenue of INR 95.79 billion and a net profit of INR 11.26 billion, up 65 percent YoY for Q1 FY2026.

The consolidated profit includes a onetime gain of INR 7.22 billion, on the back of dilution of investment in associates.

During the quarter, the company sold 1.36 million two-wheelers, with growth in the 125cc scooter segment (Destini 125, Xoom 125) and 100cc motorcycle segment (HF Deluxe Pro). Hero’s electric mobility brand, VIDA, continued to gain traction, while international operations outperformed industry trends.

The company expects demand to remain healthy in the coming quarters on the back of the upcoming festive season and a robust line-up of new products.

Vivek Anand, Chief Financial Officer, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Our profitability and margins remained resilient, supported by strong demand for our entry & deluxe motorcycles and 125cc scooter segments. We are witnessing good traction in our electric mobility business (VIDA), and global operations also remained ahead of industry, reflecting the strength of our brand in international markets. With favourable customer sentiment, upcoming festive season and a robust pipeline of new product launches, we are confident of sustaining and driving growth in the coming quarters.”

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Triumph has launched the new Thruxton 400 in India at prices starting INR 274,137, with a global release planned for later in the year.

The Thruxton 400 joins Triumph's Modern Classic line-up with the bike's chassis and suspension have been revised to provide a sportier ride. Rider technology includes switchable traction control, a torque-assist clutch, a ride-by-wire throttle, and an integrated analogue speedometer with an LCD screen. The Thruxton 400 has service intervals of 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months and comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty. The motorcycle is built with a new fairing housing a classic round LED headlight and has four colour scheme option – Lava Red Gloss and Aluminum Silver, Pearl Metallic White and Storm Grey, Metallic Racing Yellow with Aluminum Silver and Phantom Black with Aluminum Silver

The motorcycle features a 398cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with a 12:1 compression ratio, producing 42 PS (30.89 kW) at 9,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. It features a six-speed gearbox, a wet multi-plate slip & assist clutch and is equipped with a Bosch electronic fuel injection system. The motorcycle chassis is a hybrid spine/perimeter tubular steel frame with a twin-sided, cast aluminium alloy swingarm. It has a wheelbase of 1371 mm, a seat height of 805 mm and a wet weight of 181 kg. Featuring a 13-litre fuel tank capacity, the motorcycle comes with a claimed fuel efficiency of 27km per litre.

In terms of suspension, on the front it gets 43mm upside-down forks with 140mm of wheel travel, while the rear suspension uses a gas monoshock RSU with an external reservoir and preload adjustment, providing 130mm of wheel travel.

For stoppage, it uses a single 300mm fixed disc with a four-piston radial caliper on the front and single 230mm fixed disc with a single-piston floating caliper on the back, both with ABS.

Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles, said, “The Thruxton name is synonymous with an exhilarating ride, a focused riding position and the iconic cafe racer silhouette. The new Thruxton 400 delivers all that and more, representing exceptional value that will appeal to a younger audience who long to own a stylish motorcycle with the modern performance and premium finish of a Triumph. With its uprated engine and sportier ergonomics, the Thruxton 400 is an exciting addition to our Modern Classic range, building on the accessibility and confidence inspiring handling that has made the 400 range so popular.”

Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Triumph business in India has seen tremendous momentum over the past year – from expanding our network and experience stores to a growing community of passionate riders who are engaging deeply through regular rides and events. The response to the Modern Classic 400cc range has exceeded expectations, and the new Thruxton 400 is a worthy addition. It blends authentic cafe racer styling with exhilarating performance and exceptional build quality. With this launch, we continue to offer Indian riders not just motorcycles, but iconic machines that evoke emotion and foster community.”

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Delhi-NCR-based Steelbird Helmets, one of India’s leading helmet manufacturers, has expanded its product line-up with Vintage 3.0 series, an open-face helmet inspired by retro designs of 1970s at prices starting INR 1,299.

Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Helmets, said, “At Steelbird, we don’t just make helmets – we create riding companions that reflect a rider’s identity. The Vintage 3.0 is a salute to motorcycling heritage, combining retro design with cutting-edge safety and unmatched comfort. It’s for riders who want to stand out, stay safe, and feel free on every ride.”

The Vintage 3.0 features an advanced screw-free Quick Release Mechanism that allows riders to easily switch between the heritage-style peak and a full protective visor. It can also accommodate Steelbird’s 3-in-1 mask system and comes with a rear elastic strap holder to anchor riding goggles securely.

In terms of safety, the Vintage 3.0 meets ISI (IS 4151:2015) and DOT (FMVSS 218, USA) standards. Vintage 3.0 helmet uses high-impact ABS outer shell, high-density EPS liner, breathable mesh and soft, removable cheek pads that can be washed and reinstalled. The optical-grade visor features high-quality polycarbonate to provide visual clarity, UV protection and scratch resistance. The micrometric quick-release buckle system is tested to endure up to 225 kg of load, aligning with stringent European norms for rider safety. It weighs around 1,000 + 50gm, making it ideal for extended uses. The helmet is available if 15 colour options, including – Sea Blue, Coral Peach, Cherry Red, Battle Green, Armada Blue and Glossy Black. It comes in three shell sizes — Medium (580 mm), Large (600 mm) and Extra Large (620 mm).

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