Two-wheeler wholesales for September in the green, automakers gear up for festive demand  

Two-wheeler sales

The two-wheeler industry in India is gearing up for the festive season and in contrast to the four-wheeler segment, it continues to expect a healthy growth demand.

Taking a closer look at the company-wise sales performance for the month of September 2024, Hero MotoCorp the world’s largest two-wheeler maker reported 19 percent growth YoY in the domestic market. The company sold 616,706 two-wheelers, as against 519,789 units for the same period last year.

Hero MotoCorp states that there is a positive sentiment prevalent in the industry as it approaches the festive season on the back of a good monsoon. It has a strong pipeline of bookings and is experiencing increased customer footfall leading up to the festive season. The company expects healthy growth during the 32-day period starting from October 3.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) reported wholesales of 536,391 units, which was 9 percent higher than 491,802 units last year.

During the period the company attained a new sales milestone for its popular scooter the ‘Activa’, which went home to over 10 million customers in the South Indian states and union territories of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

TVS Motor Co, too reported a healthy growth of 23 percent YoY with 369,138 two-wheelers sold, compared to 300,493 units for the same period last year.

The company’s EV sales registered a growth of 42 percent increasing from 20,356 units in September 2023 to 28,901 units in September 2024.

For Pune-based Bajaj Auto, the monthly two-wheeler sales jumped by 28 percent, from 202,510 units in September 2023 to 259,333 units in September 2024.

Chennai-based Royal Enfield, a leading mid-sized motorcycle manufacturer, continued to drive sales with its product offensive strategy. The company reported 7 percent growth for September 2024, selling 79,326 units, as against 74,261 units for the same period last year.

Overall, the two-wheeler segment is expected to see a robust demand driven by both rural and urban India as the festivities approach.

TWO-WHEELER SALES IN INDIA
Company Sept '24 Sept '23 Change (in units) Change (in %)
Hero MotoCorp 616,706 519,789 96,917 19%
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 536,391 491,802 44,589 9%
TVS Motor Co 369,138 300,493 68,645 23%
Bajaj Auto 259,333 202,510 56,823 28%
Royal Enfield 79,326 74,261 5,065 7%
Total 1,860,894 1,588,855 272,039 17%

Hero MotoCorp Launches New Campaign For Destini Scooter

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has introduced a campaign for its Destini scooter, titled ‘Hero Ka Scooter, Scooter Ka Hero.’ Conceptualised by McCann India, the campaign focuses on the relationship between a father and child, portraying the scooter as a companion for family journeys.

The campaign film features a girl who imagines an evening ride with her father as an adventure involving a dragon. The narrative integrates product features into the story: the metal body provides protection, the mileage exhausts the creature in a race, the legroom stores food and the under-seat storage is used to toast corn.

Aashish Midha, Head of Marketing, Hero MotoCorp, said, “At Hero MotoCorp, we believe the most meaningful stories are those rooted in everyday life. ‘Hero Ka Scooter, Scooter Ka Hero’ celebrates parents – the everyday heroes of every Indian family –through the boundless imagination of a child. The Hero Destini has always stood for trust, comfort and practicality, and this campaign brings those values to life in a way that is both emotionally engaging and deeply relatable. It reinforces our commitment to building products that become an integral part of our customers’ lives and cherished family moments.”

Prasoon Joshi, Chairman, Omnicom Advertising India, said, “The more memorable ideas rarely begin with what a brand wants to say. They begin with something people already feel, but may not have found the words for. When a brand captures that truth, it stops feeling like advertising and starts feeling deeply familiar. Hero Destini expresses this in a simple but evocative manner. Every child sees their father as their first superhero, not because he has superpowers, but because he quietly shows up, overcomes obstacles and finds a way to keep the family moving. In the film, the scooter becomes part of that quiet magic. It isn’t just a ride. It helps turn an ordinary journey into an adventure, complete with a dragon, seen through a child’s eyes. That’s what makes the film linger. It reminds us that true creativity doesn’t need to exaggerate reality; it elevates the genuine emotions already present. And this is where the brands then find a place in people’s hearts.”

Yamaha Launches FZ-Blue Flex Ethanol-Ready Motorcycle In India At INR 124,240

Yamaha FZ-Blue Flex

India Yamaha Motor has launched the FZ-Blue Flex, a motorcycle capable of running on ethanol-blended fuels ranging from E20 to E85 at INR 1,24,240 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The motorcycle, powered by a 149cc fuel-injected engine, delivers 8.6 kW of power and 12.8 Nm of torque via a 5-speed gearbox. It uses a front telescopic suspension, a rear swingarm and an anti-lock braking system.

Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “Achieving a carbon-neutral future requires a dynamic, multi-pathway strategy rather than a single solution. Having already commenced our electric vehicle journey in India, the introduction of our innovative Blue Flex technology marks another strategic milestone. This move is a deliberate alignment of Yamaha’s global sustainability vision with the Indian government’s progressive biofuel policies. By embracing multiple technological avenues, we reinforce our commitment to global carbon neutrality goals while providing versatile, high-quality products tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

The motorcycle will be available in Metallic Black and sold through selected Blue Square dealerships across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

Yamaha Aerox E E-Scooter Launched At INR 281,000 In India

Yamaha Aerox E

India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has finally revealed the pricing for its first electric offering in the country – Aerox E.

The e-scooter based on the River Indie’s EC06 is priced at INR 281,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), which makes it the most expensive scooter in Yamaha India’s portfolio. The e-scooter is available at Yamaha Blue Square showrooms in select cities.

The Aerox E is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) that delivers 9.4 kW of peak power and 48 Nm of torque. It offers a top speed of 95.5 kmph and a certified range of 117 km. The scooter features three ride modes – Eco, Standard and Power – as well as a boost function and a reverse mode.

The e-scooter is equipped with dual removable batteries, each with a 1.5 kWh capacity, which take approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes to charge. The battery system comes with a warranty of 3 years or 30,000 km.

The scooter includes a traction control system, disc brakes with single-channel ABS, and a 5-inch colour TFT display with turn-by-turn navigation. Owners can access data such as maintenance reminders and parking location through the Y-Connect mobile app. The vehicle also features a smart key system and an external charging port.

TVS Apache Crosses 7 Million Sales Milestone, Launches Tu Race Laga Campaign

TVS Motor Co

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced that its popular Apache motorcycle brand has surpassed 7 million customers worldwide.

To mark the milestone, the company has released a brand new campaign film titled ‘Tu Race Laga’, directed by acclaimed Bollywood director Ram Madhvani.

Established in 2005, the Apache motorcycle lineup is based on key learnings from the company’s racing division. The brand has introduced features including fuel injection, ride modes and traction control systems. The motorcycles are currently available in 90 countries.

Gaurav Gupta, President, India 2W Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “We thank the 7 million TVS Apache riders for their trust and passion over the past two decades. From racing roots to a global performance brand, this milestone reflects the dedication of the entire TVS Motor ecosystem. We will continue to push the boundaries of performance motorcycling through purposeful innovation, global expansion and strong riders communities.”

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business - Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “Twenty years ago, TVS Apache was born with a singular vision - to bring the excitement, control, and race-bred capability of the racetrack to everyday riders through our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. Today, as we celebrate the milestone of 7 million customers globally, we are proud to see TVS Apache evolve into one of the world’s fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands and a thriving community united by a shared passion for riding. The launch of ‘Tu Race Laga’ is a tribute to this journey and to every rider who chooses to push boundaries, embrace progress, and carry the racing spirit into everyday life. As we look ahead, we remain committed to redefining motorcycling through relentless innovation, race-bred technology, and experiences that inspire riders across the world.”

The Apache range includes the RTR 160, RTR 160 4V, RTR 180, RTR 200 4V, RTR 310, RR 310 and the RTX.