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%

BMW Motorrad India Launches F 450 GS Sport Variant At INR 590,000

BMW F 450 GS Sport

BMW Motorrad India has introduced the 'Sport' variant of the BMW F 450 GS adventure motorcycle in India, priced at INR 590,000 (ex-showroom).

The BMW F 450 GS Sport features Racing Red paintwork, a clear Rallye windscreen, black hand protectors, off-road footrests, and a plastic engine guard. Technical and equipment additions to the Sport variant include Sport Suspension, Gear Shift Assistant Pro, and Riding Modes Pro.

The motorcycle is powered by a newly developed two-cylinder inline engine generating 48 hp and 43 Nm of torque. Standard electronic assistance systems and hardware include ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control, Engine Drag Control, and a 6.5-inch TFT instrument display operated via a multi-controller interface.

Financing solutions offered through BMW India Financial Services include monthly instalments starting at INR 9,999. The motorcycle comes with a standard warranty covering three years with unlimited kilometres, with options to extend coverage to a fourth and fifth year alongside 24x7 roadside assistance.

Hero MotoCorp Launches Xtreme 125R Stealth Edition With TFT Instrument Cluster At INR 116,250

Hero Xtreme 125R

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the Xtreme 125R Stealth Edition with TFT, introducing technology and safety features to its sporty 125cc motorcycle segment. The model is available across Hero MotoCorp dealerships nationwide at a price of INR 116,250 (ex-showroom, pan-India).

The new variant incorporates a 4.2-inch TFT instrument display with Bluetooth connectivity, integrating turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS notifications and music playback controls.

The motorcycle features a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) providing real-time pressure readouts and system alerts, marking the introduction of the technology to the 125cc motorcycle category. Visual updates include coloured alloy wheels and a Midnight Black paint finish with Pearl Red accents. The model retains its existing mechanical specifications, featuring dual-channel ABS, cruise control, and three selectable riding modes comprising Rain, Road, and Sport.

Ashutosh Varma, CBO – India Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, "The sporty 125cc segment continues to evolve rapidly, driven by young customers who seek motorcycles that reflect their aspirations—not just through performance and design, but also through advanced technology. The Xtreme 125R has already established itself as a benchmark in the category by bringing premium engineering and segment-leading features. The new Stealth Edition with TFT, further raises the bar by making connected technology and intelligent safety features even more accessible while creating lasting value for our customers and empowering them to truly Live Xtreme."

Ducati Launches Desmo450 MX Factory And Desmo450 EDX Off-Road Motorcycles In India

Ducati Desmo450 MX

Ducati India has announced the entry of its off-road motorcycle range into the Indian market with the launch of the Desmo450 MX Factory motocross bike and the Desmo450 EDX enduro model.

Both motorcycles are powered by a 449.6 cc single-cylinder engine featuring Desmodromic valve timing, producing 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm and 53.5 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm, with a rev limit set at 11,900 rpm.

The Desmo450 MX Factory weighs 104 kg without fuel and features an aluminium perimeter frame, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, Showa suspension with Dark Kashima coating, billet triple clamps, a holeshot device and a 7.2-litre fuel tank.

The Desmo450 EDX weighs 107.1 kg without fuel, incorporating an 8.5-litre fuel tank, handguards, a skid plate, a side stand, an 18-inch rear wheel and Showa suspension tuned for trail riding. Both models are equipped with closed-loop Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Quick Shift, Engine Brake Control, Power Launch and selectable riding modes.

"We are incredibly proud to bring the ultimate off-road experience to India with the launch of the Desmo450 MX Factory and the Desmo450 EDX. These motorcycles embody Ducati's racing spirit and our commitment to pure performance, translating our Desmodromic technology into the dirt segment for the very first time here. Whether you are looking to conquer the motocross track with the ultra-light MX Factory or push your limits on the trails with the versatile EDX, we are offering Indian riders machines that are born to compete and win. This dual launch marks a significant milestone in our commitment to the growing off-road community in India," said Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India.

The Ducati Desmo450 EDX is priced at INR 1.85 million (ex-showroom) in Ducati Red, while the Desmo450 MX Factory is priced at INR 2.12 million (ex-showroom) in the Ducati Corse 2025 livery. The company has opened bookings across all Ducati dealerships in the country.

Altigreen Enters Electric Two-Wheeler Segment With Launch Of Minsara

Minsara

Bengaluru-headquartered Altigreen, a unit of the Jakson Group, has announced its entry into the electric two-wheeler market with the launch of Minsara, an electric multi-utility two-wheeler designed for urban and rural applications.

The electric scooter is offered in three variants: the Minsara S featuring a 2.78 kWh battery with a 125 km range, the Minsara S+ with a 3.8 kWh battery delivering a 165 km range, and the battery-swappable Minsara SE.

Built on a rib-caged chassis, the e-scooter delivers 172 Nm of peak torque, a top speed of 75 kmph, 33 percent gradeability, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 264 kg. Engineering specifications include 17-inch alloy wheels, telescopic front suspension, dual disc brakes with a Combined Braking System, crash guard protection, and side-stand safety alerts. Priced from INR 124,000 (ex-showroom), it comes with a standard three-year or 30,000 km warranty with bookings opened across Bengaluru, Vijayawada and Noida. The company is set to begin deliveries from 1 December 2026.

Deepak Thakur, CEO, Jakson Green Vehicles, said, "India’s mobility requirements are as diverse as its people. From urban entrepreneurs and delivery professionals to farmers and small-business owners in rural markets, millions depend on two-wheelers as an essential part of their everyday lives and livelihoods. With MINSARA, we are introducing a product that brings together utility, performance and sustainable technology to meet these real-world needs. As part of JAKSON Group, Altigreen will play an important role in our vision of accelerating India’s transition towards cleaner, more productive and accessible mobility solutions. This launch reflects our commitment to technology-led products that create meaningful value for customers while contributing to a sustainable future."

Amitabh Saran, CTO and Founder, Altigreen, said, "At Altigreen, we have always believed that technology must solve real customer problems. Across India, two-wheelers support businesses, livelihoods and everyday responsibilities, often under demanding operating conditions. Quite naturally, MINSARA is engineered, ground-up, to be a segment leader. It is a timely and great addition to our existing three-wheeler cargo neEV series. It embodies our continued commitment towards innovative, Made-in-India electric mobility solutions. Supported by Altigreen’s growing 3S dealership network, best in class after-sales service and customer-centric ownership solutions, we aim to build lasting customer confidence. We believe our success will ultimately be measured by our customers success and progress in life."