Relatively low cost of ownership and an increase in demand in urban and semi-urban areas are the primary drivers behind the growth of India’s 2-wheeler market. Post the COVID-19 era, there is a general sentiment among the consumers, considering 2-wheelers as the preferred alternative to public transport and shared mobility. The 2-wheeler segment is expected to play a vital role in boosting the automotive sector post- COVID-19 by providing affordable personal mobility alternatives while we observe social distancing.

As the 2-wheeler market continues to boom in India, it is essential to also focus on the safety aspects related to the vehicles.

According to the World Road Statistics Report 2018, India has the largest number of road accident deaths across 199 countries. A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that 2-wheeler deaths have increased on a year-on-year basis, rising by 38 percent from 2009 to 2019.

The Indian Government has implemented various new policies related to automotive safety in the last few years. Today’s consumer is also more conscious about safety and looks at key features that ensure safety instead of viewing it as an option confined to premium variants. Today, vehicle safety is transitioning from cost-addition to value addition.

The consumers are continually looking for technology upgrades in all the departments, be it safety or convenience. This has pushed us to be innovative and flexible in adapting globally proven safety technologies to local requirements in the form of effective products.

Anti- Lock Braking System (ABS)

ABS is a piece of safety equipment that prevents the wheels of a vehicle from locking up under emergency, panic, or harsh braking conditions. The introduction of ABS will significantly impact improved road safety, with other factors such as the safety belt and the introduction of speed limits playing a role alongside ABS’s spread. All 2-wheelers over 125-cc are mandated to have ABS as of April 2019 in India.

At Continental, we have a range of solutions in the ABS segment suited to all vehicle types. India has a range of lighter 2-wheelers, where ABS is not mandated. The MiniMAB - One Channel ABS for Motorcycles is suited to scooters and small motorcycles. The small and lightweight solution is easily adaptable to smaller vehicles because only one wheel speed sensor is required. The system prevents the front wheel from locking up and avoids falls or the vehicle from becoming unstable.

Beyond ABS:

As a technology company, Continental is at the forefront of safety technologies. We have all the relevant products for different demands such as ABS ride modes, traction control, optimised curve braking, motorcycle hold & go, and Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS).

These technologies have a lot of scopes to gain prominence in the safety department in India. ARAS include functionalities like,

● Blind Spot Detection and Lane Change Assist: Warns the rider of vehicles driving in the blind spot area. The alert helps facilitate safe lane changes. The rearward-facing radar sensor monitors the road area behind and next to the motorcycle and warns if a lane change cannot be recommended.

● Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Forward Collision Warning: Supports the rider in avoiding run-up accidents by a radar-aided early threat assessment. It detects critical traffic situations and ensures optimum use of the available braking power. When a rear-end accident threatens, the motorcyclist will be alerted first before the EBA function supports his active braking system with slight pre-brake pressure.

● Intelligent Headlight Assist: The ARAS function Intelligent Headlight Assist (IHA) enables better vision at night. Motorcyclists can delegate the constant tedious task of changing from high to low beam to the electronic co-pilot. It detects the vehicles’ lights in front and oncoming vehicles and switches the high-beam headlamp on whenever possible to ensure optimum lighting of the road.

● Traffic Sign Assist: Detects traffic signs using a front camera and displays them to the rider. Failure to see a road sign displaying the permissible maximum speed can be expensive. Especially for people who rely on their driving license for their work, the consequences can be unpleasant. Traffic Sign Recognition has a display on the instrument panel to remind drivers of the current speed limit. This is achieved through multiple uses of the same camera, which is also used for the Lane Departure Warning system. When combined with high-performance software, it can even recognise speed limit signs. Digitised speed limit information of the onboard navigation system will be incorporated to be prepared for roads not assigned with speed limit signs.

● Adaptive Cruise Control: Relives the rider by automatically controlling throttle and brake to maintain the safe riding distance with the vehicle ahead.

Other technologies like Continental’s eHorizon for 2-wheelers is a cloud-based data management service that enables a variety of use-cases, increases safety, eco-efficiency, and enhances riding pleasure. The data, such as road geometry, traffic signs, or temporary events on the road, is collected and aggregated from various sources and transmitted back to the vehicle to either predictively inform the motorcyclist on relevant information on the route or to enhance vehicle functions directly.

This “swarm-intelligent system” uses technologies already present in vehicles, like camera systems, to classify road conditions like dry, wet, very wet (risk of aquaplaning), snowy, or icy. Based on that information, dynamic friction charts can be created and then used to forecast how well the tyres will grip the road stretch in question. I believe both these technologies have a good scope in the market, like India. Then again, a reliable ecosystem is vital to enable it.

We at Continental, with a strong legacy in-vehicle safety systems and inspired by its Vision Zero - Zero Fatalities, Zero Injuries, and Zero Crashes are committed to improving safety across the world awareness through various global and local forums. (MT)

NB: Thalavai Venkatesan is the Head of Sales & Key Account Management, Continental Automotive India. Views expressed are personal.

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TVS Motor Co-owned British marquee brand Norton Motorcycles has received a Bronze award at the International Design Excellence Awards for its Manx R superbike in the Automotive and Transportation category.

Organised by the Industrial Designers Society of America, the annual awards ceremony took place in Pasadena, California, where Darren McNeill, Head of Marketing at Norton US, collected the honour. Interestingly, Manx R becomes the first production sports motorcycle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) to receive an IDEA award.

Simon Skinner, Head of Design, Norton Motorcycles, said, “The Manx R was created to challenge what a modern superbike can look and feel like. We wanted to move away from visual noise and create something more reductive, more crafted and more connected to the rider. Every surface, exposed component and detail had to earn its place. Winning an IDEA award is a proud moment for the whole Norton team because it recognises the depth of design thinking behind the bike, not just the finished object.”

The Manx R was developed as the primary model under Norton's Resurgence strategy following its acquisition by TVS Motor Company. Chief Creative Advisor Professor Gerry McGovern OBE shaped the design direction, while Simon Skinner led the engineering and styling teams at Norton’s headquarters in Solihull, UK.

Gerry McGovern said, “From the beginning, the ambition for Norton’s Resurgence was to create a design direction that was modern, emotionally engaging and worthy of the brand’s extraordinary heritage. The Manx R proves that motorcycles, like cars, can be objects of desire through proportion, stance, drama and detail. To see that recognised by an international jury of designers is a meaningful endorsement of the direction Norton has taken.”

The motorcycle features a V4 engine, semi-active suspension, Brembo brakes, rider assistance systems and an eight-inch TFT display. The Manx R superbike and the Atlas adventure motorcycle will go on sale in the United States starting in October 2026.

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Chennai-headquartered mid-sized motorcycle major Royal Enfield has launched the Classic 350 Gorkha Edition in India, priced at INR 210,684 ex-showroom, New Delhi.

The new variant is finished in a Gorkha Green paint scheme and features insignia displaying crossed Khukris, reflecting design references to the Gorkha Regiment. Mechanical specifications retain the J-series engine and standard frame configuration, while additions include an assist and slipper clutch alongside a Type-C USB charging port.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Enfield, said, "With the Classic 350 Gorkha Edition, we pay tribute to an extraordinary military legacy defined by fierce bravery, loyalty and absolute honour. Every detail stays true to the timeless character of the Classic 350, while the bespoke Gorkha insignia speak of the values that have defined this regiment for generations. The Gorkha apparel collection extends that tribute beyond the ride, giving our community a way to carry that legacy forward with pride and purpose."

Lieutenant General Sanjeev Chauhan, President, Gorkha Brigade, said, "The strength of the Gorkha Regiment lies not only in its history, but in the values of courage, discipline and honour that have been upheld across generations. It is a privilege to see this legacy acknowledged through the Royal Enfield Classic 350 Gorkha Edition, which pays tribute to the spirit and traditions of the Gorkha soldiers with dignity and respect."

Royal Enfield also introduced an accompanying merchandise line, designated as the Gorkha Collection. The range includes helmets, leather boots, headgear and apparel designed using military-inspired colour options including olive green, crimson, black, and bronze.

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India Yamaha Motor has announced updates to its 125cc Fi Hybrid scooter line-up, which introduces new colour schemes, revised body graphics and technology features across the RayZR and Fascino model ranges.

The RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid receives updated paint finishes and graphics. Within the range, the Street Rally variant now incorporates a Colour TFT Instrument Cluster with Turn-by-Turn navigation functionality for smartphone integration.

The Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid also receives colour updates and bodywork revisions. Pricing for the RayZR range starts at INR 79,880 for the Drum brake variant in Metallic Black, moving to INR 87,680 for the Disc variant available in Metallic Black, Dark Matte Blue, and Ice Fluo Vermillion.

The Street Rally variant with an LCD cluster is priced at INR 93,930 in Ice Fluo Vermillion and Matte Black, while the TFT instrument cluster model costs INR 100,440 in Matte Titan and Matte Black.

The Fascino line-up begins at INR 78,980 for the Drum variant in Yellow Cocktail, rising to INR 91,070 for the Disc variant offered in Metallic Light Green, Cool Blue Metallic and Matte Black. The Fascino S variant is priced at INR 99,030 in Metallic Orangish Gray. Both model lines retain Yamaha’s Smart Motor Generator Hybrid Technology, featuring power assist, silent start and automatic engine stop-start systems.

Hardware across the range includes telescopic front suspension, 21-litre under-seat storage compartments, side-stand engine cut-off switches and E20 fuel compatibility. The Fascino S and RayZR Street Rally TFT variants also feature answer-back function capabilities.

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles, has appointed Srihari Mulgund as its new Chief Strategy Officer, effective 17 August 2026. Following the appointment, Mulgund joins the company's executive leadership team and assumes a senior management role under regulatory listing rules.

He comes with over 24 years of experience across engineering, product development, and strategic planning within the automotive industry, having worked in the United States, Japan, China and India.

Prior to joining Hero MotoCorp, he served as a Partner at EY-Parthenon, where he managed advisory engagements covering electric vehicles, battery technology, internal combustion engines, supply chains and mobility systems.

His career history also includes executive roles at Aisin AW, FEV Inc and Ricardo Strategic Consulting India, where he served as President.

Mulgund holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore, a master's degree from the University of Toledo, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

In his new position, Mulgund will oversee the formulation and execution of corporate growth plans, technological development initiatives and market strategy frameworks across the company's business divisions.

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