By T Murrali

As India will be moving to the new emission regime from April this year, the manufacturing companies are fielding new models of new variants with BS-VI engines. India Yamaha Motor (IYM) has announced a slew of new brands, in line with its concept of ‘The Call of the Blue’ that carved out the ‘The Yamaha Uniqueness’ of product line-ups and experiences through the ‘Blue Square’ network. IYM has fielded four vehicles with several innovative features and technologies, with plans to create a strong network of dealers; nonetheless, it has still kept a conservative sales growth target of 4 percent.

In 2019, the company sold 624,000 units (with 40 percent scooters and the rest motorcycles), witnessing a 13 percent drop in sales over the previous year, matching the industry average. It exported 296,000 units during the year. For 2020, IYM has set a target of 650,000 units with the same break-up for scooters and motorcycles. This is just 4 percent more than last year’s sales. However, it aims to raise exports to 315,000 units.

Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Planning Group, Yamaha Motors India Sales Pvt Ltd, said, “We have been able to increase our market share in deluxe and premium segments and maintain it in the scooter segment (for Fascino), thanks to our focused brand strategy: ‘The Call of the Blue.’ Our success in 2020 will depend on creating a strong network and we have started working on this direction. ‘Blue Square’ is one such initiative.”

‘Blue Square’ 

‘Blue square’ is a unique concept intended to offer Yamaha’s racing DNA to exciting, stylish and sporty products and experiences. ‘The Call of the Blue’ started in 2018 expanded to products and experiences in 2019.

‘Blue Square’ is created as a destination for all two-wheeler enthusiasts. The concept was to expand the company’s uniqueness for fuelling the passion for riding in India featuring a wide range of riding gears and accessories along with the two-wheeler line-ups that deliver good driving experience. Yamaha Blue Square Showrooms will serve the excitement to grow into a popular culture by turning it into an aspiration for every young rider.

To a question on how ‘Blue Square’ will help the company to strengthen its market position, Singh said the company’s objective is to focus on youngsters. It launched the brand campaign ‘The Call of the Blue’ mainly to connect with the young customers. Now IYM is taking it to the next level with ‘Blue Square,’ which according to him is more of the brand connection, linking its BTL (below the line) activities. “From ATL (above the line) activities to BTL, we are connecting the customers and giving the experience of sporty and stylish vehicles, which is our core DNA, to the product.” The additional dealerships planned for this year will be primarily for ‘Blue Square’ outlets, he said. 

Many of the existing dealerships will also be upgraded to deal with its new introductions of 155cc motorcycle MT-15 and the 125cc scooters, the Ray ZR 125 FI and Street Rally 125 FI, and the iconic Fascino 125 FI. Shifting from the 110cc segment, IYM is strengthening its market in the 125cc scooter segment and the motorcycle line-up.

MT-15

Known for its balance of torque and agility, MT-15 has enhanced control postures and single-channel ABS. A special colour ‘Ice Fluo-Vermillion’ was also introduced. It received rave reviews in many countries for its distinctively aggressive appearance. The new BS-VI compliant MT-15 has a rear radial tyre. Its advanced design expressing torque and agility is popularised further by a minimal look, dynamic headlight, short tail and an overall finish that illustrates its unique style.

The new bike comes with VVA engine for nimble acceleration with model-specific ECU,  optimized secondary reduction gear ratio for snappy riding in town, A&S clutch for stress-free gear shifts, motard-like riding position with a great deal of freedom on a tight, concentrated silhouette, 282mm front disc brake with single-channel ABS for excellent stopping power. The advanced design expressing torque and agility is further accentuated by dynamic front face styling headlight, short tail with a vertical tail light and overall graphics and finish.

Ray ZR 125 FI, Street Rally 125 FI

The new scooters come with several new features, new engine technologies and are available in a range of new colours. The new Ray ZR 125 FI and Street Rally 125 FI are powered by a BS-VI compliant, air cooled, fuel injected, 125cc blue core engine that produces a power output of 8.2 PS @ 6,500 RPM and a torque of 9.7 Nm @ 5,000 RPM. The power output and economy are 30 percent and 16 percent higher respectively than the earlier scooters.

The styling concept is ‘Armored Energy’ which evokes the feeling of a powerful motorcycle laced to proportions, details, striking design and new technologies. The sporty, sharp-looking headlight is Class C-compliant while the Y-shaped LED position light adds greater originality to the design. The turn signals at the front and rear use individual mounting stalks like those used for motorcycles. The Ray ZR 125 FI is available in both drum and disc brake versions, and the disc brake version gets digital instrument cluster as a new feature. The new Ray ZR 125 FI is available in a wide range of colour variants including Dark Matte Blue, Metallic Black, Cyan Blue, Matte Red Metallic and Reddish Yellow Cocktail.

The new Street Rally 125 FI also fuses motorcycle elements with those of a scooter and scatters them throughout the design. Brush guards shield the rider's hands from oncoming airflow and add a sporty, adventure-influenced touch to the machine. It additionally offers fully digital instrument cluster, side panels designed to look like a rugged frame, block-pattern tyre, sporty coloured wheel stripes (front and rear) and side panels intended to look like metallic protectors. The new Street Rally 125 FI is available in two colours: Deep Purplish Blue Metallic and Sparkle Green.

Fascino 125 FI

The new Fascino 125 FI is powered by a BS-VI compliant, air cooled, fuel injected, 125cc blue core engine that produces a power output of 8.2 PS @ 6,500 RPM and a torque of 9.7 Nm @ 5,000 RPM. The power output and economy are 30 percent and 16 percent higher respectively than the earlier scooters.

Along with the new features and technologies, the visual impression of the new Fascino 125 FI rests on its classic European styling as it gets an all-new exterior design, higher quality bodywork, newly designed headlight, new gauges and other features that produce a feeling of elegance and status. The new scooter is designed to be a fashionable vehicle with styling that embodies strength, refinement and beauty along with classical touches. The vehicle is available in disc and drum brakes and a wide range of colour variants including Vivid Red, Metallic Black, Yellow Cocktail, Matte Blue, Dark Matte Blue, Suave Copper and Cyan Blue.

Lightweighting

The body weight of the new Ray ZR 125 FI, Street Rally 125 FI and Fascino 125 FI is 99 kg, which is, at the least, 4 kg lighter than Yamaha's earlier scooters. All the new scooters come with ‘stop & start system’ that prevents engine idling and subsequent start with a single throttle twist which uses the sensors to assess the riding environment. The vehicles have front disc brake with unified brake system. In addition, the smart motor-generator fitted to these vehicles uses electronic controls to bring a quieter engine start without the need for a separate conventional electric starter. One of the key features is the ‘side stand engine cut-off switch,’ which prevents the engine from starting if the side-stand is not retracted. This is a unique feature as it can prevent accidents and ensure safety of the rider.

Talking to this publication on the objective to introduce the engine cut-off switch to the side-stand, Yasuo Ishihara, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Research & Development India Pvt Ltd, said that in Europe these safety systems are mandatory. Since it is a safety feature the company wanted to introduce it in India also. “We have decided to incorporate this feature in the two-wheelers (Ray and Fascino) that we have launched now. In a phased manner this feature will be introduced in all the models we produce.”

The company has also introduced stop-start systems and this was possible as it replaced the starter motor with a combined generator-cum-starter motor. Ishihara said that in India the traffic is dense with more stopping and starting conditions, not only at traffic lights but also on congested roads. This mild hybrid helps in managing these situations while conserving fuel. However, when there are frequent stops and starts, the power drawn will be more from the battery; therefore the company has increased the battery capacity.

Yamaha has also reduced the total kerb weight by 4 kg. This was achieved as the design team was given very stringent targets to reduce weight. There were targets set for every major part in the vehicle. This combined with high-end design helped the company achieve weight reduction despite increasing the sheet metal content. For instance, in the earlier version of the scooters, the front fender was in plastic but in the BS-VI version this has been replaced with metal. According to him, one of the reasons for weight reduction was that the vehicles have no starter motors, since the generators do that function. Despite introducing new technologies, localisation in all the models is over 90 percent, he said.

Target Customers               

The target customers for the three scooters, according to the company, are the youth (18-24 years) who are high on adventure, and who find the true reflection of their riding personality by the mobility they ride and its performance. Motofumi Shitara, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India group of companies, said, “Customers can now take the experience of all such exciting Yamaha two-wheelers at the new ‘Blue Square’ outlets of Yamaha which is conceptualized to garner the racing spirit along with its comfort, ambience and the beacon of the Yamaha Blue. The company also plans to expand its brand strategy of ‘The Call of the Blue’ including product strategies and networks in 2020. The ‘Blue Square’ which was opened recently in Chennai will expand to 100 outlets in 2020 and eventually would consolidate the 125cc scooter market share and sports market share for the brand. The ‘Call of the Blue’ will be scaled up in 2020 to offer the excitement, sporty and stylish experiences to a wider audience.”

Digital Communication

On the communication side, he said, the company is more focused on the digital platform. Despite fielding new stylish models with more safety features and power, the company has set itself a growth of just 4 percent for the current calendar over 2019. Seeking his reason for this, Singh said it is justified. “At this moment we are very conservative. We are talking to dealers and we are also taking feedback from people like you. We see a clear shift from 110cc to 125cc (in scooters) and it will increase in the coming years as people are further upgrading.” Therefore, the segment will further evolve. But it all depends on increasing affordability, which is directly linked to economic growth. The key point is that India is a country where more than 50 percent of the population is young. This is precisely the reason for the company to field products targeting the youth, he said. “Based on the features and the pricing we are going to get a good amount of market share in this segment; still we are taking cautious steps,” he explained.

The company will focus on three areas to connect with its customers easily - Premium, Deluxe and Scooters. Otherwise, connecting with customers from the commuting point of view would be difficult for Yamaha. This is the reason for the company to upgrade its scooters to 125cc, Shitara said.

Currently, IYM has 593 dealers across India with about 2,000 touch points. The company has allotted INR 1,500 crore for building capacity and capabilities, to be spent over four years from 2018. It had to invest INR 16 crore to develop BS-VI engines. Though modifications to the engine were minimal, the additions were in the form of double catalytic converters for exhaust, O2 sensors and advanced OBD modules. Investments have also gone into precision machining of parts for BS-VI related elements, and the development of new parts.  (MT)

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has reported its strongest-ever quarterly sales performance in Q1 of FY2026, hitting a record 1.27 million units. This robust growth was underpinned by significant increases across both two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments, alongside a substantial boost in international business.

For June 2025, the company reported sales of 402,001 units, a 20 percent jump compared to 333,646 units sold in June 2024. Two-wheeler sales accounted for 385,698 units, up 20 percent YoY as compared to 322,168 units last year. Of this domestic market sales grew by 10 percent YoY at 281,012 units.

On the other hand, while demand for TVS iQube remains strong, the company reported sales of 14,400 units sold, a slight decrease from 15,859 units last year. This dip it attributed to the ongoing disruptions in the EV supply chain, particularly concerning the availability of magnets, which continues to pose short to medium-term challenges.

On the exports front, the company shipped 117,145 units last month, which was 54 percent higher as compared to 76,074 units in June 2024. Two-wheeler exports were particularly strong, growing by 58 percent to 104,686 units from 66,434 units in the previous year.

During the first quarter, two-wheeler sales grew 17 percent, with sales rising from 1.05 million units to 1.23 million units in Q1 FY2026.

Three-wheelers experienced 46 percent increase, with sales climbing from around 31,000 units in Q1 FY25 to about 45,000 units in the current quarter.

Total exports for the quarter grew by 39 percent, reaching 352,000 units compared to 254,000 units in the first quarter of FY2025.

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Chennai-headquartered mid-sized motorcycle specialists Royal Enfield has announced its monthly sales performance with 89,540 units sold in June 2025, up 22 percent from the same month last year.

This includes 76,957 units in the domestic market, up 16 percent YoY and 12,583 units in exports, up 79 percent YoY.

Looking at Q1 FY2026 performance, the motorcycle maker reported a healthy 12 percent growth in domestic sales at 228,779 units, as against 204,686 units sold last year. The exports also grew by 65 percent at 36,749 units, as against 22,221 units sold last year.

B Govindarajan, Managing Director, Eicher Motors, and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Enfield, said, “We saw strong double-digit growth in June, reflecting the steady momentum we have built across markets. Our motorcycles continued to perform well not just in India but in several key global markets, driven by a growing community of riders who resonate with our brand and purpose. We are confident of the growth momentum and are looking forward to building on this growth with a sharp focus on innovation, quality, and delivering a pure motorcycling experience.”

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Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has announced its wholesales for June 2025 and Q1 FY2026.

The company reported sales of 360,806 units across two-wheelers and three-wheelers last month, which was 12 percent higher YoY, as compared to 358,477 units last year. This includes 149,317 two-wheelers sold in the domestic market and 149,167 units exported. Three-wheeler sales came at 39,143 units in the domestic market and 23,179 units in exports.

For Q1 FY2026, the company’s exports of two-wheelers and three-wheelers clearly provided a much-needed cushion. On one hand, the company’s two-wheeler and three-wheeler sales were in the red at 9 percent and 2 percent in the domestic market, respectively, exports grew by 14 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

The company reportedly sold a total 1.11 million vehicles in Q1 FY2026, which was 7 percent higher YoY, as compared to 1.10 million units sold last year.

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The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) has announced a plan to make motorsport accessible to a wider audience with the introduction of the ISRL Fan Park, presented by Reise Moto.

This initiative aims to increase understanding of racing and develop the sport's ecosystem. The Fan Park, a fan engagement area, will visit each race city during Season 2, which runs from October to December 2025.

Reise Moto, the presenting partner for the ISRL Fan Park and an associate sponsor of the league, will support this fan experience.

The ISRL Fan Park will open two days before each Sunday race. It will offer access to the sport, combining motorsport, lifestyle, entertainment and practical experiences over two days. The organisers expect over 5,000 families to attend each weekend.

Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder, Indian Supercross Racing League, said, ““ISRL isn’t just about racing it’s about building a new era of motorsport culture in India. Through the Fan Park, we’re inviting fans to go behind the scenes, meet the athletes, watch pit crews in action, and experience the sheer energy of Supercross up close. We also want it to be a space where families feel welcome, and where industry professionals can connect, collaborate and showcase innovation. It’s about unlocking the full potential of what motorsport can offer.”

Yogesh Mahansaria, Managing Director, Reise Moto, said, " At Reise Moto, being a community-first performance brand, fostering motorsports ecosystem with globally acclaimed products for budding and pro racers. Our association with ISRL is rooted in shared values - performance, passion, and innovation. By presenting the ISRL Fan Park and as Associate sponsors of the main league, we’re helping build an experience that reflects our vision and supports the growth of motorsport culture in India, especially for the next generation of riders."

ISRL Fan Park Features:

• Pit-Lane Access and Rider Meet-and-Greets
• Live Supercross Trials, Demo Rides and Electric Bike Zones for Children
• VR/AR Racing Games and Pro Simulators
• Track Walks, Pit Crew Demonstrations and DIY Bike Workshops
• Children’s Zone with Mini Tracks and Activities
• Live Performance by Bands, Food and Beverage and Cultural Acts
• Brand Pavilions, Product Launches from Auto and Gear Brands and VIP lounges

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