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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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has recorded its highest YoY dispatch performance for February, with 558,216 units sold. This represents a 44 percent increase compared to the 388,068 units dispatched during the same month in 2025.

The company also reported an 18 percent increase in VAHAN registrations, totalling 458,346 units for the month.

Hero MotoCorp attributed the growth to the 100cc–125cc motorcycle segment and the scooter category, specifically the Xoom and Destini models.

VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, recorded a threefold increase in market share compared to February 2025. Registrations for VIDA reached 12,514 units, reflecting a shift in consumer adoption of electric vehicles in the company's markets.

The international business division saw dispatches rise from 30,772 units to 41,248 units. This double-digit growth in global markets was attributed to demand for the company’s portfolio of premium motorcycles.

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TVS Motor Company (TVSM), one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers, has recorded monthly sales of 529,308 units for February 2026, up 31 percent YoY, as compared to the 403,976 units sold last year.

The company’s international business achieved its highest sales to date, with total exports reaching 158,000 units during the month.

Total two-wheeler sales rose by 30 percent, increasing from 391,889 units in the previous year to 507,862 units. Within this segment, domestic sales grew by 32 percent, reaching 365,471 units.

In February 2026, the company sold 241,282 motorcycles, up 25 percent YoY, 219,895 scooters, up 34 percent YoY, while three-wheeler sales grew by 77 percent YoY to 21,446 units.

The electric vehicle (EV) segment recorded a 60 percent growth rate, with sales rising from 24,017 units in February 2025 to 38,386 units in February 2026.

Total exports for the company registered a 27 percent increase, moving from 124,993 units to 158,268 units. Two-wheeler exports specifically saw a 23 percent rise, reaching 142,391 units.

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Hero MotoCorp, in collaboration with the Haryana Police and the Raahgiri Foundation, organised a women’s night rally titled #SheRidesForSafety. The event featured 150 women riders who completed a 9-kilometre route through the streets of Gurugram during late evening hours to promote road safety and inclusivity.

The rally was flagged off by Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr Rajesh Mohan, Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police and Sanjay Bhan, Vice-President at Hero MotoCorp. During the event, fourteen women traffic police officers were honoured for their contributions to safe mobility.

The rally is a component of ‘Ride Safe India’, a three-month campaign launched in January 2026. The programme is based on the 4Es of road safety – Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care – as defined by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).

The campaign includes training sessions, awareness drives and school activations designed to establish safe riding as a social responsibility. By focusing on women at the centre of the narrative, the initiative aims to address safety and behavioural change across urban communities.

Latika Taneja, Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Hero MotoCorp, said, “As the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, with millions riding Hero MotoCorp’s vehicles every day, road safety is not simply a priority, it is a responsibility that defines us. Through our Ride Safe India campaign, we are working to shape a culture of safety by driving sustained behaviour change across communities. Today’s women’s rally reaffirms our belief that safe mobility is fundamental to true empowerment because when women move freely and safely, societies move forward with them.”

Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Headquarters, Gurugram Police, stated, “Initiatives like the Ride Safe India go far beyond road safety awareness, they send a decisive message that our roads belong to every citizen, at every hour. We are proud to stand alongside Hero MotoCorp in creating a safer, more inclusive public space. As a department, we remain committed to partnering with organizations that translate intent into visible, on-ground impact.”

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Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL) has inaugurated Himalayan Suzuki in Gangtok, marking the company’s first retail entry into the state of Sikkim. With this opening, the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation now maintains a presence across every state in India.

The facility, located at Lower Sichey, operates as a ‘3S’ outlet, providing sales, service and spare parts. The expansion into the North-East is intended to address demand for vehicles capable of operating in terrain characterised by inclines and varied road conditions.

Himalayan Suzuki retails the company’s full domestic portfolio. The service wing is equipped with tools for maintenance and is staffed by professionals trained to manage the manufacturer's technical requirements.

The company’s product portfolio includes Access, Avenis, Burgman Street, and the electric e-ACCESS scooters. The GIXXER, GIXXER SF, GIXXER 250, GIXXER SF 250 and the V-STROM SX in the motorcycle segment.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Sikkim is an important market for us in the North-East. The state’s unique terrain calls for two-wheelers that offer consistent performance and reliability across inclines and varied road conditions. Suzuki’s portfolio has been well accepted in such environments. With the inauguration of Himalayan Suzuki in Gangtok, customers will now have easier access to our complete range of scooters & motorcycles and after-sales support. We sincerely thank our dealer partner, Himalayan Suzuki, for their collaboration in making this possible. With this addition, SMIPL is now present across all states of India.”

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