Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy is strengthening its presence in the country with the appointments of Jitin Johnson as Head of Marketing and Kevin Thomas as Head of Brand.

To support its next phase of brand and business expansion, the company has expanded its marketing team to over 40 professionals. Simple Energy plans to accelerate its all-India footprint, with a target of establishing 150 retail stores and 200 service centres across the country by March 2026.

Jitin Johnson, Head of Marketing, Simple Energy, brings 14 years of marketing experience, having previously served as Assistant General Manager – Digital Marketing at River EV. He will lead the company’s omnichannel marketing strategy, covering brand development, go-to-market initiatives, digital transformation and customer engagement.

Kevin Thomas, Head of Brand, Simple Energy, brings over 13 years of expertise in Creative Direction and Visual Design. He most recently served as Principal Visual Designer at Ultraviolette Automotive. His career includes leadership roles at brands such as Amazon, Motorola and OnePlus.

Jitin Johnson, said, "Simple Energy is redefining how India moves - blending performance, design, and purpose in a way that truly resonates with the next generation of riders. I’m excited to build on this momentum, shaping a brand that’s as emotionally charged as it is.”

Kevin Thomas, said, “My creative philosophy is shaped by years spent at the intersection of design, machines, and art. I’ve always believed that great automotive brands are built not just through engineering, but through emotion and visual storytelling. At Simple Energy, I’m excited to craft a brand that’s artistically expressive, deeply rider-centric, and unmistakably rooted in the culture of movement.”

Smitha Rao, General Manager - Brand & Marketing, Simple Energy, added, “These appointments and the expansion of our marketing team mark an important step in strengthening Simple Energy’s brand and business ambitions. With Jitin and Kevin leading key functions, we’re better positioned to build meaningful connections with our customers, enhance brand consistency, and accelerate our mission to make electric mobility aspirational yet accessible.”

At present, Simple Energy’s offerings include the Simple ONE Gen 1.5 and Simple OneS two-wheelers, which deliver claimed IDC ranges of 248 km and 181 km, respectively. The company has also recently achieved milestones such as becoming India’s first OEM to commercially manufacture heavy rare-earth-free motors and the first to introduce an 8-year motor warranty.

With 61 retail outlets across key cities, the company is now preparing to expand into five new markets, including Delhi and Patna.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company, a part of TVS Group, has appointed Ravindran Shanmugam as an independent director for a 5-year term, effective 13 May 2026, pending shareholder approval.

Shanmugam is a technology entrepreneur and business leader with experience in digital transformation and AI platforms. He currently serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Mablle, an AI-based interior design platform in Singapore. He has previously worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and is an alumnus of the University of Oxford.

Sudarshan Venu, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, “Ravindran Shanmugam brings deep expertise in digital & consumer-focused businesses, and AI-led transformation, along with strong experience in strategy, entrepreneurship and scaling businesses across global markets. His perspectives will add valuable depth to the TVS Motor board as we continue to strengthen our future-ready growth ambitions. We are delighted to welcome him and look forward to benefiting from his insights and guidance.”

Ravindran Shanmugam, said, “I am honoured to join the board of TVS Motor Company, an institution with a strong legacy of engineering excellence, customer trust and global ambition. Mobility is being reshaped by technology, digital ecosystems, AI and evolving consumer expectations, and TVS Motor is well positioned to play a meaningful role in this transformation. I look forward to contributing to the board’s deliberations and supporting the company’s long-term growth journey with perspectives from technology-led transformation, platform businesses and consumer-focused innovation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has reported revenue of INR 472.70 billion for FY2025-26, up 30 percent YoY, as compared to INR 362.51 billion last year.

The company reported its operating EBITDA for the year stood at 12.9 percent, while operating profit before tax reached INR 49.75 billion, up 40 percent YoY.

For FY2026, combined sales of two and three-wheelers increased by 24 percent to 5.88 million units. Within this total, motorcycle sales rose by 24 percent to 2.71 million units, while scooter sales grew by 27 percent to 2.41 million units.

Three-wheeler sales reached 219,000 units, an increase of 63 percent, while electric vehicle sales grew by 33 percent to 371,000 units, bringing the total customer base for this segment to more than 900,000.

For Q4 FY2026, the company recorded revenue of INR 128.08 billion, the operating EBITDA margin for the quarter was 13.1 percent. Normalised revenue for the quarter grew by 36 percent when excluding benefits from government incentive schemes recorded in the prior year.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has officially launched the NX500 E-Clutch at a price of INR 743,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The new variant introduces Honda's globally proven clutch automation technology to the mid-size adventure touring segment, priced approximately INR 111,000 higher than the standard manual version.

The E-Clutch system manages clutch engagement and disengagement during starting, gear shifting and stopping, effectively eliminating the need for the rider to pull the clutch lever. However, the system allows for manual override at any time and the motorcycle retains a traditional clutch lever for riders who prefer hands-on control.

The NX500 E-Clutch features a 471cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 47 bhp and 43 Nm of torque. It gets a 6-speed gearbox with the automated E-Clutch system; the mechanism adds only 3 kg to the bike's kerb weight (now 199 kg). The motorcycle gets steel diamond frame with Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD front forks and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock.

In terms of stopping, it gets dual 296mm front discs and a 240mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS as standard.  

The NX500 features a 5-inch full-colour TFT display with Honda RoadSync (navigation, calls, music), Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and all-LED lighting.

Tsutsu Otani,  President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The Honda NX500 equipped with E Clutch technology enhances comfort and control across both urban and touring environments in India, by reducing rider fatigue, while retaining the engaging, hands-on riding experience that defines Honda motorcycles.”

The NX500 E-Clutch is available in two colour options – Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic and Pearl Horizon White.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The new Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini has officially arrived in India, with the first unit delivered in Mumbai. This exclusive motorcycle, born from an ongoing collaboration between the two legendary Italian brands, is already sold out worldwide. All remaining units allocated for the Indian market have been booked, cementing the model’s status as an instant collector’s item.

This launch marks the third chapter in the partnership between Ducati and Lamborghini, both emblematic of Italy’s Motor Valley region. Their shared values of advanced technology, sporting pedigree and exclusivity have previously produced models like the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini and the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini. The new Panigale V4 Lamborghini continues that tradition, combining engineering excellence with high artistry.

The latest collaboration centres on each brand’s most advanced platform: the Panigale V4 S superbike and the Lamborghini Revuelto hybrid super sports car. The Revuelto serves as the direct design and technical inspiration, featuring a powertrain that generates 1015 horsepower from a new V12 engine and three electric motors. Extensive use of carbon fibre gives the Revuelto a weight-to-power ratio of 1.75 kg per horsepower, enabling acceleration from zero to one hundred kilometres per hour in just 2.5 seconds and a top speed exceeding 350 kilometres per hour.

For the Panigale V4 Lamborghini, Ducati’s design team collaborated closely with Lamborghini’s stylists to create a unique livery based on visible-carbon-fibre black, accented with Verde Scandal, Grigio Telesto, and Grigio Acheso. The forged aluminium wheels mirror those of the Revuelto, while the tail section and wings have been reshaped to echo the supercar’s lines. Only 630 numbered examples are being produced worldwide, with the Indian models featuring this exclusive Lamborghini-inspired finish.

The motorcycle is built on the advanced V4 S platform, incorporating the Ducati Vehicle Observer and Race eCBS electronics. Extensive carbon fibre components, including the heat shield, mudguards and bodywork, use the same weave found in Lamborghini cars, with a distinctive herringbone pattern along the symmetry line. An approved Akrapovič titanium silencer with carbon end caps helps raise maximum power to 218.5 horsepower while reducing weight to 185 kg, nearly two kg less than the standard Panigale V4 S.

Additional equipment includes a dry clutch, billet aluminium adjustable footrests and levers and a track kit with a racing tank cap and open carbon fibre clutch cover. Each bike features a dedicated dashboard animation, a laser-etched ignition key badge, a certificate of authenticity and a custom wooden crate with a matching rear stand. Priced at INR 10 million ex-showroom India, the limited edition is already fully allocated following the first Mumbai delivery.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, “With the Panigale V4 Lamborghini, Ducati continues to celebrate the perfect blend of performance, design and exclusivity that defines both Ducati and Lamborghini. This collaboration brings together two iconic Italian brands that share a passion for engineering excellence and craftsmanship. The Panigale V4 Lamborghini is not just a motorcycle but a collector’s masterpiece that embodies innovation, sportiness and the unmistakable spirit of Italian automotive artistry. We are excited to bring this extraordinary machine closer to enthusiasts and collectors in India.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!