- TVS Motor Company
- TVS Racing
- Petronas Lubricants International
- Petronas Lubricants India
- Binu Chandy
- Vimal Sumbly
TVS Motor Co, Petronas Lubricants Strengthen Partnership To Promote Indian Motorsports
- By MT Bureau
- March 13, 2025
Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has further strengthened its partnership with Petronas Lubricants International (PLI) to drive further promotion and support the Indian motorsport landscape.
As per the understanding, PLI will continue to be the title sponsor of TVS Racing – the country’s first factory racing team – for the next three years. PLI will support the team’s participation in the Indian National Supercross Championship (INSC), Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) and Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC).
Petronas was the title sponsor of TVS Racing across the 2022-2023 season and continues as the official supplier of aftermarket oils to TVS Motor Co’s extensive dealership network. The company supplies Petronas TVS TRU4 product range in premium semi and full synthetic lubricants designed for high-performance TVS motorcycles.
Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Racing is a pioneer of motorsports in India and has consistently secured more than 80 percent win rate across multiple formats of racing. This racing pedigree directly influences our Apache series, bringing race-derived performance and technology to our customers. With over four decades, TVS Racing has played a pivotal role in democratising motorsports in India and nurturing world-class talent with its programs like the TVS One Make Championship. Strengthening our partnership with PLI underscores our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and innovation. Their cutting-edge technology and experience in premier racing events perfectly compliments our vision for the sport. PLI’s expertise in fluid technology, combined with our racing heritage, will continue to shape the future of two-wheeler racing in India.”
Binu Chandy, Chief Executive Officer, Petronas Lubricants India, said, “Our collaboration with TVS Racing has been instrumental in demonstrating the synergy between high-performance lubricants and motorsport excellence. This partnership not only strengthens our presence in India’s dynamic two-wheeler market but also aligns with our broader energy ambitions in the country. Our motorsports legacy, combined with TVS Racing’s dominance in Indian motorsports for over 40 years, positions us to drive the sport forward. We are excited to support TVS Racing as we continue this journey together.”
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Crosses 10 Million Sales Milestone In North India
- By MT Bureau
- May 27, 2026
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has surpassed the 10 million cumulative two-wheeler sales milestone across North India, which includes Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh – accounted for approximately 15 percent of the company’s overall domestic wholesale volume during FY2026.
The milestone highlights Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s ongoing consolidation in key volume categories across northern states. According to internal wholesale tracking data for FY2026, the manufacturer secured an approximate 75 percent market share (nearly three out of every four units sold) within the entry-level 110cc scooter sub-segment in the region. The brand also maintained a strong volume share within the 125cc commuter motorcycle class, driven by steady regional demand for platforms like the Shine 125 and SP125.
To manage its regional sales volume and support vehicle lifecycle requirements, the company currently operates an expansive network of more than 1,000 authorised customer service and touchpoint locations across the northern zone.
Looking forward, HMSI intends to build on this regional volume foundation by systematically expanding its premium ‘BigWing’ retail network. This physical expansion will coincide with a strategic push to enhance its mid-size and higher-displacement motorcycle line-up to address premiumisation trends in semi-urban and metro markets.
Mutsuo Usui, Director of Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Reaching the 10 million milestone in North India reflects how deeply two-wheelers are embedded in everyday mobility across the region, particularly beyond the large urban centres. Our focus has been on building consistent access and reliability over time and we see this continuing as customer expectations evolve.”
Ultraviolette Reworks Tesseract E-Scooter With 100V Architecture, Launch Pushed To January 2027
- By MT Bureau
- May 27, 2026
Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ultraviolette Automotive has announced a major engineering pivot for its upcoming Tesseract e-scooter, transitioning the vehicle to a new 100V high-voltage powertrain architecture.
This shift, it claims, makes it India’s first electric scooter built on a 100V platform. To accommodate these extensive technical re-engineering cycles and subsequent validation testing, the official commercial launch has now been pushed to January 2027.
The technical overhaul follows a public roadshow across 30 Indian cities, where the company said it gathered direct consumer feedback from prospective buyers. Ultraviolette has received over 70,000 bookings for the Tesseract since its initial conceptual reveal.
The transition from a conventional 60V setup to the 100V platform was driven by the challenge of managing high current flow and exponential heat generation while chasing performance targets. The production-spec Tesseract is equipped with a 15kW peak power electric motor, delivering roughly three times the power output of mainstream electric scooters and mimicking the performance metrics of a 200–250cc combustion engine.
The production-spec Tesseract is scheduled to enter early assembly and tool-up phases by the end of 2026. Production will be handled at the company's upcoming manufacturing plant, which is set to boost Ultraviolette’s localised production capabilities from 60,000 units annually to 150,000 units to support the higher volume requirements of its mass-market scooter line. The company is targeting initial retail distribution and customer deliveries within the first quarter of 2027, with base prices projected to start around INR 145,000 (ex-showroom).
Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said, “Building the Tesseract has been an incredibly ambitious and challenging journey for us. As we pushed the platform further through development and validation, it became evident that achieving the benchmarks we had set for ourselves required additional engineering and refinement – especially on the ride ergonomics and radical redesign of the battery architecture. While this extends our launch timeline, it ensures that every Tesseract customer receives a scooter that is not only future-ready but embodies the Ultraviolette DNA of performance, technology, and reliability.”
Niraj Rajmohan, CTO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, added, “From the very beginning, the vision for the Tesseract was to create a scooter that would redefine benchmarks for the industry. Delivering on the performance and technology promises we made, while staying true to the Ultraviolette DNA, required us to rethink and evolve the platform significantly. The transition to a 100V architecture is a major step in that direction, enabling higher levels of power delivery, load carrying capability, and efficiency. Every engineering decision we have made on the Tesseract has been guided by our commitment to deliver a product that sets a new standard for mobility- in India and globally.”
Hero MotoCorp Launches Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 At INR 86,500
- By MT Bureau
- May 27, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers, has officially launched the Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 at INR 86,500 (ex-showroom Delhi), updating its flagship 125cc commuter motorcycle portfolio.
The new model builds on the classic silhouette with advanced tech integrations, a refreshed cosmetic identity and enhanced powertrain efficiency.
The launch underpins the brand's premiumisation strategy within the 125cc commuter sub-segment. The Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 is powered by a refined 124.7cc single-cylinder engine, which churns out 10.7 bhp @ 7,500 rpm, peak torque of 10.6 Nm @ 6,000 rpm and a claimed fuel efficiency of 72 km per litre.
The engine pairs an Advanced Programmed Fuel Injection (APFI) system with Hero’s proprietary i3S (Idle Stop-Start System), which cuts fuel flow during prolonged idling at traffic stops. The powertrain also integrates an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) to enable a near-silent engine ignition sequence and seamless automated restarts when crawling through dense gridlock.
Furthermore, the motorcycle now comes with segment-first hazard lights, a front disc brake, handlebar-mounted engine kill switch for swift ignition control, along with a high-output (2 Amp) USB Type-C charging port mounted near the console for mobile devices and navigation hardware.
The rider interface features a Fully Digital Instrument Cluster packed with integrated Bluetooth connectivity. Once paired with a smartphone, the digital display feeds critical real-time information directly to the console, including incoming call alerts, SMS notifications, caller ID tracking and phone battery status levels. The console also retains practical baseline tools like a Low Fuel Indicator and Hero’s Real Time Mileage Indicator (RTMi) to monitor combustion efficiency on the fly.
In terms of design, Hero MotoCorp said it has updated the chassis for comfort including an upright, relaxed seating posture facilitated by wide handlebars to reduce rider fatigue across extended journeys. The platform uses a supportive telescopic front suspension layout, an extended dual-textured seat and a thick rear grab rail to maximise pillion stability over uneven surfaces.
The Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 updates its styling with aggressive, dual-tone premium body graphics, distinctive 3D branding emblems, signature XTEC 2.0 styling badging and contrasting rim tapes on the alloy wheels. The model debuts across five distinct colour schemes – Glossy Black, Candy Blazing Red, Matt Axis Grey, Matt Nexus Blue and Matt Chestnut Brown.
Ashutosh Varma, Chief Business Officer of the India Business Unit at Hero MotoCorp, said, “Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor has built a strong legacy of delivering trust, performance and everyday reliability to millions of customers for over three decades. The new Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 carries this promise forward with a bold and contemporary design, advanced technology and enhanced convenience features. With its trusted performance and reliability, everyday practicality and an elevated riding experience, the Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 further strengthens Hero MotoCorp’s leadership in the segment while reaffirming its commitment to delivering superior value to its customers.”
Triumph Motorcycles’ Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2026 In India Sees Record 3,700 Participants
- By MT Bureau
- May 21, 2026
Triumph Motorcycles has concluded the 2026 edition of The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR) in India, marking its 13th year of partnership with the event. The ride, which supports prostate cancer research and men’s mental health initiatives, saw participation grow to over 3,700 riders across more than 70 cities in India, an increase from 46 cities in 2025.
Participants rode classic and modern classic motorcycles while dressed in formal attire to support the global movement, which saw riders from 109 countries take part.
The 2026 DGR milestone coincides with Triumph reaching 100,000 motorcycles on Indian roads. This target was achieved within 2.5 years of the launch of the Triumph 400 platform, developed in partnership with Bajaj Auto. The company states that the success of the 400 platform has facilitated the growth of modern classic motorcycling and expanded its rider community beyond metropolitan areas.
Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has grown into one of the most meaningful global movements in motorcycling, and Triumph is proud to have played a leading role in expanding its scale and participation in India over the years. This year’s edition across 70+ cities reflects the strength of our rider community, dealer network, and the passion that riders bring to the Triumph brand. It is especially encouraging to see the ride grow beyond metro markets into newer riding communities across the country. The milestone of crossing 1 lakh Triumph motorcycles on Indian roads within just 2.5 years of the launch of the Triumph 400 platform makes this edition even more special for us. More importantly, it reflects the rise of a new generation of riders who truly are ‘Those Who Know the Difference’.”

Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT