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%

Bajaj Auto Reintroduces Pulsar 180 To Mark Brand's 25th Anniversary

Bajaj Pulsar 180

Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has reintroduced the Pulsar 180 motorcycle in India, citing consistent demand from riders and social media interest.

The reintroduction coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Pulsar brand, which launched in 180cc and 150cc formats in 2001. The updated model now features new graphics and integrated technology to align with current market standards.

The updated motorcycle incorporates a light-emitting diode (LED) headlamp, LED blinkers and a digital console with Bluetooth connectivity. Bajaj Auto has positioned the vehicle as a transition for owners of 150cc to 160cc motorcycles, providing a shift in performance and design. The Pulsar 180 is intended to maintain the balance between sport-oriented riding and daily commuting that established the nameplate's presence in the segment.

Engineering updates for this iteration focus on refined performance and modernised electronics while retaining the styling characteristic of the original series. The inclusion of connected features via the digital console allows for smartphone integration, a feature increasingly common in the performance commuter category.

Sarang Kanade, President, MCBU, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Pulsar brand has always stood for pushing limits and redefining performance motorcycling in India. The return of the Pulsar 180 is a response to the strong and consistent demand, as well as a groundswell of love on social media. As we mark 25 years of Pulsar, bringing back this iconic nameplate feels especially meaningful. Reimagined for a new generation, it continues to embody our ‘Definitely Daring’ philosophy combining power, precision and contemporary design to deliver an experience that is both exhilarating and accessible.”

Simple Energy Expands Retail Presence With 5 New Outlets Across India

Simple Energy - Dwarka

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy has inaugurated five new retail outlets in Delhi, Nashik, Aurangabad and Siliguri. The expansion increases the company's footprint across North, East and Western India, bringing its total network to approximately 70 outlets in 38 cities.

The company has implemented a strategy of pairing showrooms with dedicated service centres to support vehicle ownership. The EV maker has added two new locations in Delhi and Maharashtra each. It has also added a new 3S facility in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The new stores showcase the Simple One Gen 2 and Simple OneS Gen 2 e-scooter lineups. The Gen 2 model is available in two battery configurations (4.5 kWh) at INR 169,999 and 5.0 kWh battery configuration at INR 177,999 designed for long-range commuting. The prices are all ex-showroom Bengaluru, respectively.

Going forward, Simple Energy aims to reach 100 stores across India in the coming months. Future locations identified for expansion include Nagpur, Ranchi and Bhubaneshwar. The company currently operates in major hubs including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “This expansion of Simple Stores marks a key step in strengthening our pan-India presence. By growing our footprint across North, East, and Western India, we are enhancing accessibility and building a stronger service network for our customers. Our scooters are engineered for long range and high performance, delivering reliable, anxiety-free rides for everyday commuting. As we scale towards 100 stores across India, we remain focused on making electric mobility practical, dependable, and widely accessible.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Crosses 10 Million Sales Milestone In East Region

HMSI

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has recorded 10 million cumulative sales in the East region of India. The achievement covers markets in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and the north-eastern states, signalling the manufacturer's expansion across both metropolitan and semi-urban areas.

The sales volume has been driven primarily by demand in cities such as Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India's operations in the region are supported by a network of over 1,200 sales and service touchpoints.

The Activa and Dio models remain the primary drivers in the scooter segment, while SP125 and Shine 125 were volume contributors in the motorcycle segment. The company recently entered the EV market with the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India currently maintains a diverse product line-up ranging from 100cc to 200cc in the mass-market segment. For premium motorcycles, the company operates two distinct retail formats: BigWing Topline, which handles the 200cc to 1800cc range in major cities, and BigWing, which focuses on the mid-size 200cc to 500cc segment.

The current premium range includes models such as the CB350 series, NX500, and the Gold Wing Tour. Growth in the East region is attributed to brand trust, product quality, and established resale value within the local market.

Mutsuo Usui, Director - Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The 10 million sales milestone in the East region reflects how deeply our products are integrated into the everyday mobility needs of customers across diverse markets. The accelerated growth in recent years highlights the increasing confidence in our portfolio and the strength of our network across metros as well as emerging towns. As we move ahead, our focus will remain on expanding accessibility, strengthening customer experience and driving the next phase of growth across the region.”

Triumph Motorcycles Crosses 100,000 Sales Milestone In India, Reduces Price On Mid-Size Offerings

Triumph Motorcycles India

Triumph Motorcycles has attained a new sales milestone of having over 100,000 motorcycles on Indian roads. Following this, the two-wheeler maker has announced updated pricing for its mid-capacity range, offering on-road savings of up to INR 21,500. The new price structure is supported by an 18 percent GST bracket applicable to the company's 350cc engine models.

The company is targeting growth in FY2026-27, leveraging its network of over 230 stores across 200 towns in India. The revised pricing strategy is intended to increase the accessibility of the 350cc and 400cc portfolios while maintaining the engineering standards and engine character associated with the brand.

Updated Pricing (Ex-showroom Delhi):

  • Triumph Speed T4: INR 195,000
  • Triumph Speed 400: INR 231,890
  • Triumph Scrambler 400: INR 259,241
  • Triumph Thruxton 400: INR 265,538
  • Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: INR 289,534

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, "Bolstered by the massive success of our 400 range, with 100,000 Triumphs now on Indian roads, we enter FY2027 with strong momentum. The 18 percent GST bracket enables more competitive pricing while retaining the character and engineering excellence that define our products. We are confident that with these on-road savings, we will be able to bring many more riders into the Triumph family."