Motown India September 2018 by Motown India

VOL-8 • ISSUE-12 • SEPTEMBER 2018 • `100/-

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INDIA

FIRST RIDE

BMW G 310 GS

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL ISSUE

TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS

KAWASAKI VULCAN S BMW G 310 R

TVS APACHE RR 310

FIRST DRIVE

DUCATI 959 PANIGALE

2018 MARUTI SUZUKI CIAZ

EDITOR Punnoose Tharyan (Roy) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------News Coordinator - Jisha P Principal Correspondent - Aakash Paul Video Editor - Ramesh Kumar Content Manger - Vrinda Desai Digital In-charge Naveen Kumar Web Correspondents - Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul Photo Journalists - Afsar Baig, Neeraj Panwar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------For Editorial contact editorial@motownindia.com, editorial.motown@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR MARKETING & SALES CONTACT Marketing Head - Chandan Punhani 9891092066 Head-Operations - Jisha P jisha@motownindia.com, +91-9958125645 advertising@motownindia.com, advertising.motown@gmail.com /+91-9811097399 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR ACCOUNTS CONTACT Ankit Sharma, ankit@motownindia.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION CONTACT Dalip Singh Bagdwal subscription@motownindia.com / +91-9811305822 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Office Executive Ravinder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL DELHI OFFICE 145 B/9, First Floor, Kishangarh, Next to United Free Church, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, Tel: 011-26122756/58 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------DISTRIBUTED BY Central News Agency, New Delhi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENT The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Motown India is owned by Motown Publications Private Limited and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Motown India magazine is printed at Balaji Ad Prints, C-187, Ground Floor, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase - 1, New Delhi -110028 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 72 pages including both covers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL ADVISORS Salil Sharma, Alexander .T & Annie Jacob

P. THARYAN (ROY) he September 2018 issue of Motown India is carrying a two-wheeler special report. Apart from a brief analysis of the Indian two-wheeler industry, there are reviews of several interesting two wheelers. These include the two new BMW motorcycles- the G 310 GS and the G 310 R, the Kawasaki Vulcan S, the TVS RR 310, the Triumph Street Triple RS

and the Ducati 959 Panigale. We also have an Independence Day ride report that features riders of Ducati, Triumph and Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new Ciaz. We have reviewed the new Ciaz that comes with a new 1.5 litre smart hybrid petrol engine. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Continuing with our green initiative, we have also reviewed the new Firefox Soulfly, a 2X10 speed adventure cycle. The B2B section in this issue consists of several interesting corporate news. The separate CV section too comes loaded with news from the commercial vehicle industry. In our efforts to excel in automotive journalism, we have created a new website exclusively catering to the commercial vehicle segment. Please do check the new site: www.motownindiacv.com. With the September 2018 issue, Motown India completes 8 years of uninterrupted publishing. The October 2018 issue will be our 8th anniversary issue.

LATEST MOTOWN INDIA

BMW G 310 GS

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2018 MARUTI SUZUKI CIAZ

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CONTE NTS VOL 8 | ISSUE 12 | SEPTEMBER 2018

GLOBAL NEWS: Tata Nexon

CAR NEWS: Jonty Rhodes aims to

achieves highest Global NCAP adult safety score amongst cars in India

be game changer for Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

BIKE NEWS: Limited edition

Indian Chieftain Elite is priced at `38 lakh

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL: Commuter space may give way to higher cc motorcycles

WHEELZ & ROADZ : 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

FEATURE: Land of Land Rovers in India’s West Bengal

FEATURE: Firefox Soulfly – Soul Inspiring

54 B2B NEWS : Indian auto com-

ponent Industry grows 18.3pc in 2017-18 at US $ 51.2 billion

4 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

63 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES:

Mahindra, John Deere, New Holland rank highest in JD Power tractor study

68 TECHNOLOGY: Ford rolls out exoskeleton wearable technology globally

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SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY, SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE. Each bearing that rolls out of our plants passes under the lens of quality, precision and safety. Our Engineers adhere to the Total Quality Management norms to make one precise bearing. No wonder, we are Dependable Partners of many manufacturers across the globe. And, also the recipient of the prestigious Deming Grand Prize 2015, the highest in TQM Processes.

GLOBAL NEWS

Tata Nexon achieves highest Global NCAP adult safety score amongst cars in India

n the first set of #SaferCarsForIndia results for 2018, Global NCAP has announced that the Tata Nexon has been certified with a 4-star rating. The Tata Nexon, which is sold in its standard version with frontal double airbags, frontal double pretensioners, ABS brakes and Isofix anchorages, achieved a strong result of four stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection. Tata Nexon comes with safety features that can offer four star adult occupant protection with good protection for head and neck of driver and passenger and adequate protection for their chests with a stable structure at 64kmph off set deformable barrier crash test. The ISOFIX anchorages with ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems (CRS) made available

6 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

by Tata, helped the model to achieve three stars for child occupant protection. The rearward facing CRS installed with ISOFIX anchorages showed good protection to the 18 months old child, while the ISOFIX forwards facing installed CRS offered good protection for head and limited protection to the chest.

safety performance is comfortably above the new crash test standards applied in India to new models since October 2017. It is very encouraging to see Tata aiming high for safety and a great example for others to follow. The race is clearly on for India’s first 5 star car! ”

David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP said: “The 4 stars awarded to the Tata Nexon represent a very strong result from a major Indian car manufacturer. This impressive

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CAR NEWS

Jonty Rhodes aims to be game changer for Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Report: P.Tharyan

e has always been a pick up man. His father always owned pick up vehicles. He and his two brothers, travelled with the family, seated behind a pick up vehicle. In fact, South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes revealed that he was simply “born in a pickup vehicle”. Rhodes is now been crowned the brand ambassador for the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross lifestyle and adventure pick up vehicle and other Isuzu Motors India vehicles. Now who is Jonty Rhodes? Those of us who have watched cricket throughout the 1990s, can definitely vouch for Jonty

Rhodes, a man on the field who flew around, either taking spectacular catches or simply running out batsmen with his remarkable leaps to the wickets. Isuzu Motors India now describes him in the most perfect words in their latest brand promotion of the V-Cross – “Faster than lightning”, “lighter than gravity”, “Beyond the laws of physics”...”Once a game changer, always a game changer”. Isuzu Motors India hopes for a miracle with Rhodes on their side.

8 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

Born on July 27, 1969

the legendary South African cricketer Jonathan Neil Rhodes, popularly known as Jonty Rhodes, is not a millennial by any yardstick. But then the company is not targeting the greenhorns, for its lifestyle pickup, the D-Max V-Cross in India. It wants Jonty Rhodes to attract the men among the lot. An accomplished cricketer, a good hockey player, a great surfer and an Indian at heart (his two children were born in India, the elder daughter born in 2015 in Mumbai is named “India”, while his son too was born in Mumbai in 2017), Jonty Rhodes will now be endorsing the V-Cross.

Jonty Rhodes drove the vehicle on to the stage at an event organised in Mumbai on August 16, 2018. Also present at the event were Ken Takashima, Deputy Managing Director and Capt J Shankar Srinivas, Vice President- Service, Customer Care, External Affair & PR, Isuzu Motors India Pvt Ltd. Now it is to be seen whether Isuzu Motors India, with Jonty Rhodes on its side, will be able to pull off a miracle, one similar to defying the laws of physics, to increase the sales of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Adventure Utility Vehicle in India. If that happens, it would truly be a “Game Changer”.

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CAR NEWS

Honda Cars India introduces special editions of WR-V, City & BR-V Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL)has introduced special editions of three of its models Honda WR-V, Honda City and Honda BR-V. These special editions include Honda WR-V - Alive Edition, City - Edge Edition and BR-V - Style Edition and have been introduced to mark the beginning of festive sales in India. The Honda WR-V - Alive comes with features like Special Edition Emblem, 15-inch Diamond Cut Alloy Wheel, Rear parking sensors and Rear camera with IRVM display. The Honda BR-V Style edition features include a Special Edition Emblem, Front Guard, Tailgate Spoiler, Body side moulding and Front & rear bumper protector.

Maruti Suzuki rolls out the New Ciaz at `8.19 lakh onward Maruti Suzuki India Limited launched its premium sedan Ciaz with several new features and a brand new 1.5 litre K15 smart hybrid petrol engine. The smart hybrid with lithium-ion battery makes its maiden appearance in the New Ciaz. While the model gets a new petrol engine, the 1.3 litre DDiS smart hybrid diesel engine continues to do service in the new Ciaz. While the diesel variant will only have a 5-speed manual transmission, the new petrol engine variant will have an option of a 5-speed manual transmission as well as a 4-speed automatic transmission. (First Drive report on page 42) Petrol (MT)

Petrol (AT)

Diesel(MT)

Sigman

`8.19 lakh

`9.19 lakh

Delta

`8.80 lakh

`9.80 lakh

Zeta

`9.57 lakh

`10.57 lakh

Alpha

`9.97 lakh

`10.97 lakh

All prices are ex-showroom

10 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

Nissan India launches Sporty Micra at `5.03 lakh Nissan India launched the More Intelligent and More Sporty variant of its globally popular premium hatchback Micra. With a host of fun, intelligent and enhanced safety features, the new Nissan Micra is available at a starting price of INR 5.03 lakh across India. The More Intelligent and Sporty Nissan Micra with newly introduced safety features enhances the vehicle’s safety and intelligence quotient. Enhanced safety features like Dual Airbags, Speed warning device, Speed-sensing Door Lock and Driver Seat Belt Reminder make the New Micra more safe and reliable for its customers. Speed warning device, Reverse parking sensor and Reverse parking camera with built-in 6.2’’ Touch Screen AVN with Phone mirroring and Turn Indicators on ORVM offer Nissan Micra customers a new features and technology.

New Renault Kwid 2018 feature loaded range launched Renault India has announced the launch of new Kwid 2018 feature loaded range which will be available in both manual and automated transmission options. Renault India has sold more than 2,50,000 cars in the country. Available in 8 trims with segment-first features, the new Renault Kwid 2018 Feature Loaded Range has been launched at no additional price, further enhancing its value proposition. The car is available in the price range of Rs 2.66 lakh to Rs 4.59 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi). Features in the car include a 7-inch touchscreen Media NAV system, rear camera, digital Instrument cluster, one-touch lane change indicator, radio speed dependent volume control and pro-sense seat belt pretensioners with load limiters.

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BIKE NEWS

Limited edition Indian Chieftain Elite is priced at `38 lakh US based Indian Motorcycle launched its new ultra-premium bagger, the 2018 Chieftain Elite. This limited-edition bagger pairs custom-inspired paint that’s completed by hand with top-of-the-line amenities for the rider who demands the best of the best. With only 350 produced worldwide, this limited edition custominspired masterpiece is loaded with premium features. The Indian Chieftain Elite is priced at Rs 38 lakh (Ex-Showroom). The motorcycle was launched by Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director and Country Head, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd. The premium features of the Indian Chieftain Elite includes Pathfinder LED lights, push-button power windshield, remote-locking hard saddle bags, 19” front wheel with an open fender, inspired by the Indian fenders of the 1920s and 1930s, showcases a 10-spoke, contrastcut wheel that completes the custom look.

At the soul of this bike is the Thunderstroke 111 engine, an award-winning American V-Twin that delivers a monstrous 151 Nm of torque at 3000 RPM and power to spare in every gear. Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director and

The focal point of this Country Head, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd. bagger is the stunning, specialty paint featuring Dakota, which is near Indian Motorcycle’s high-flake Black Hills Silver. As the name custom paint facility in Spearfish, SD. A suggests, this paint was inspired by the team of Indian Motorcycle experts mask the silver mines in the Black Hills of South bodywork, lay the graphics, and hand-spray each Chieftain Elite. Each bike takes nearly 25 hours due to the timeintensive, painstaking processes that are completed by hand. Incredibly, no two bikes will look the same due to the level of human touch involved.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 | MOTOWN INDIA | 11

BIKE NEWS

The all new Ninja 300 with ABS launched at `2.98 lakh India Kawasaki launched the all new Ninja 300 in the Indian market. The all new Ninja 300 comes with front and rear Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) along with new colours and graphics. As a part of India Kawasaki’s expansion plan the all new Ninja 300 also gets locally produced parts. Available in two colour options namely lime green/ebony and candy plasma blue, the price of the all new Ninja 300 with ABS is Rs 2,98,000 ex-showroom Delhi. Customers doing pre-booking will be given “3 years of unlimited mileage warranty offer” on the all new Ninja 300 ABS. This offer will be discontinued without any prior intimation in order to give a worthy benefit to early birds. The bookings are open and customers can visit their nearest showroom for booking.

TVS Radeon commuter motorcycle launched at `48,400 TVS Motor Company has launched a new commuter motorcycle, the TVS Radeon. This new motorcycle has been priced at Rs 48,400 ex showroom Delhi. Some of the key features of the motorcycle include a unique impact resistant design (UIR), a 110cc engine, strong steel tubular chassis, 18 inches wheels with sync braking technology, powerful headlamps with DRLs , largest seat in the segment, high ground clearance and long wheel base, thigh pads on petrol tank, side indicator with beeper, Duro Grip tyres, 3D chrome logo and MF battery among others. The 109.7cc Dura-Life engine of the new TVS Radeon churns out 8.23hp @ 7000 rpm and 8.7Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The motorcycle comes with a 10-litre fuel tank and gives a fuel efficiency of 69.3kmpl. The telescopic oil damped front suspension together with the 5-step adjustable rear hydraulic shock absorber aid comfort and longevity. The TVS Radeon has a wheelbase of 1265mm and a ground clearance of 180mm. The bike has a USB charging port and a pillion grab rail.

Kawasaki launches MY19 Ninja H2, H2 Carbon & H2R in India

Two new motorcycles from India Yamaha Motors

India Kawasaki has launched a range of hypersport bikes of MY19 in India. The range includes new Ninja H2, Ninja H2 Carbon and Ninja H2R. The MY19 models have some key updates in which the most noticing update is the increase in maximum power to 231 PS in the Ninja H2.

India Yamaha Motor has introduced the YZF-R15 Version 3.0 (155 cc) Moto GP Limited Edition and Yamaha FZS-FI (149 CC) with rear disc brake in two new colours. While the YZF-R15 Version 3.0 (155 cc) Moto GP Limited Edition has been priced at Rs. 1,30,000/- and has to be booked online through www. yamahar15v3motogpedition.com, the FZS-FI (149 cc) has been priced at Rs. 87,042/- (ex showroom Delhi). The Blue Core Technology enabled FZS-FI (149 CC) has got two new colours with rear disc – “Mattgreen” and “Darknight”. The launches coincide with the company developing a new brand campaign ‘The Call of the Blue’ in order to draw a parallel to its product planning, marketing and customer engagement strategies with the brand’s global image of ‘excitement, stylish and sporty’.

The price of the MY19 Ninja H2 is Rs 34,50,000, ex-showroom (Delhi), while the price of Ninja H2 Carbon is Rs 41,00,000. The Ninja H2R will be available for 72,00,000 ex-showroom (Delhi). All these three models are CBU which are produced by selected high-skilled special engineers in Japan. The booking period will be start from September 1, 2018 and will be closed by October 31, 2018. The delivery to the customers will be done in next year.

12 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

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T WO -W HEEL ER SPECIA L

COMMUTER SPACE MAY GIVE WAY TO HIGHER CC MOTORCYCLES

ndia, the largest two-wheeler market in the world is expected to see a slew of changes in the next few years that would be a result of increased demand for technologically savvy two-wheelers that are affordable too. The demand for gearless scooters will continue to rise, provided new models are unleashed at

Report: Motown India Bureau regular intervals by manufacturers. But what could really see some great action in the coming years will be the less than 500cc motorcycle segment. Like the way the compact SUV began to rule to roost in the 4-wheeler passenger car segment, this 300cc to 500cc motorcycle segment is

likely to replicate. The massive clout of Royal Enfield in this segment will definitely be challenged, with the likes of Bajaj, TVS, BMW, Triumph and Harley-Davidson pitching in seriously with their sub 500cc products.

THE CURRENT SITUATION The current situation continues to see the

Kawasaki Vulcan S / Picture for representation purpose only www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

SEPTEMBER 2018 | MOTOWN INDIA | 13

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

overall demand for two-wheelers on the rise. The first four months of this current financial year 2018-19 (FY19) has recorded an overall growth in the domestic market with sales of 7,494,420 units in the months from April 2018 to July 2018. This cumulative growth is around 13.94 per cent. Similarly, in the first four months of FY 19, the number of twowheelers exported out of India is to the tune of 1,137,223 units. This is in effect a jump of 29.80 per cent. This is according to the figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Two-wheeler companies that recorded a positive growth in the 1st four months of FY 19 include: DOMESTIC SALES: POSITIVE GROWTH No.

NAME OF COMPANY

APRIL TO JULY 2018

YEAR ON YEAR (%)

Hero MotoCorp

2,723,625

12.42

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI)

2,199,012

10.48

TVS Motor Company

981,053

9.74

Bajaj Auto

795,667

34.52

Royal Enfield (a unit of Eicher)

286,726

18.46

India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd

272,432

2.86

Suzuki Motorcycle India

205,431

43.83

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd

24,996

32.69

India Kawasaki Motors Pvt Ltd

583

47.97

Two-wheeler companies that recorded a negative growth in the 1st four months of FY 19 include: DOMESTIC SALES: NEGATIVE GROWTH No.

NAME OF COMPANY

APRIL TO JULY 2018

YEAR ON YEAR (%)

UM Lohia Two Wheelers

1,762

-23.22

Mahindra Two Wheelers

1,722

-71.62

Harley-Davidson Motor Company India

971

-16.44

Triumph Motorcycles (India)

440

-10.39

On the export front, Bajaj Auto is a clear leader. Major exporters include: EXPORTS NAME OF COMPANY

APRIL TO JULY 2018

YEAR ON YEAR (%)

Bajaj Auto

566,977

26.16

TVS Motor Company

219,217

41.94

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India

154,294

34.84.74

India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd

91,965

46.99

Hero MotoCorp

62,866

15.76

Suzuki Motorcycle India

23,480

0.09

Royal Enfield

7,698

19.94

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd

5,626

160.83

Mahindra Two Wheelers

3,159

-52.74

Harley-Davidson Motor Company India

1,941

-12.92

No.

SCOOTER SALES AND EXPORTS Though two wheeler manufacturers in India sold 7,494,420 units in the months from April 2018 to July 2018 in the domestic market, of this scooter sales accounted for 2,417, 211

14 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

BMW G 310 R/ Picture for representation purpose only

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SEPTEMBER 2018 | MOTOWN INDIA | 15

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

Harley-Davidsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric motorcycle, LiveWire/ Picture for representation purpose only

units as compared to 2,217,499 scooters sold in April-July 2017. This constituted just around 9 per cent growth in scooter sales in the country. On the export front too, companies exported 144,476 units of scooters in the first four months of FY19, as compared to 91,215 units in the 2017 corresponding period. This constituted a whopping 58.39per cent growth in scooter exports. In the scooter segment, it is obvious that Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India is the clear leader. The company sold around 1,457,537 units (1,317,610) in the domestic market and exported another 88,702 units (59,625). The second largest scooter exporter is TVS Motor Company which

16 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

exported a total of 387,668 units in the domestic market as compared to 338,723 units in the corresponding period last year. Other significant exporters include Hero MotoCorp, Suzuki Motorcycle India, India Yamaha Motor and Piaggio Vehicles.

MOTORCYCLE SALES AND EXPORTS Motorcycle sales constituted around 4,802,537 units in the domestic market in the first four months of FY 2019, as compared to 4,105,917 units in the corresponding period last year. This meant that the Indian motorcycle industry grew by 16.96 per cent in the first four months of the current fiscal in the domestic market. Exports of motorcycles too grew to

982,366 units, from 779,999 units, signifying an increase of 25.94 per cent. Like mentioned earlier, Bajaj Auto was a clear leader here with exports of 311,996 units in the sub 110cc segment, 72,759 units in the 110cc to 125cc segment, 102,937 units in the more than 125cc and less than 150cc, 56,888 units in the greater than150cc but less than 200cc, 7486 units in the 200cc to 250cc and 14,911 units in the 350cc to 500 cc segment. The up to 110cc market which is often referred to the commuter segment continues to dominate the motorcycle sales and exports in India. Here the total domestic sales in the first four months of the current fiscal stood at 2,930,704 units (2,409,099). Motorcycles with engine capacity of more

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

in the corresponding period last year. Coming back to the action in the twowheeler market, it is expected that while the commuter segment will continue to be the dominant best seller in the country, other segments too are slowly catching up with it in terms of numbers. The various motorcycle segments that lie in the 125cc to 350cc, will see a dramatic increase in sales now that several big names, especially the foreign ones, are redrawing their strategies for India.

ELECTRIC TWO WHEELERS

than 1600cc recorded the least sales of just around 210 units as compared to 71 units

According to a Credit Suisse report, the EV products available in the market make it clear that the current products in the market are compromised solutions; no wonder EVs have not really tasted any success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe we will soon see much better products coming in the market with better top speed (comparable to ICE vehicles) and a much better range. Once the market starts picking up, global OEMs too will start introducing EV solutions for the market. On the 2W side, we believe startups

APRIL-JULY 2018 MOTORCYCLE SEGMENT

DOMESTIC SALES

EXPORTS

Less than & equal to 110cc

2,930,704

468,810

>110cc but less than & equal to125cc

745,323

180,436

>125cc but less than & equal to 150cc

447,859

145,375

>150cc but less than & equal to 200cc

326,976

137,278

>200cc but less than & equal to 250cc

50.399

17,158

>250cc but less than & equal to 350cc

274,342

10,384

>350cc but less than & equal to 500cc

24,817

20,961

>500cc but less than & equal to 800cc

1,239

1,965

>800cc but less than & equal to 1000cc

343

>1000cc but less than & equal to 1600cc

325

>1600cc

210

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will have a big role to play in coming up with exciting products and solutions like we have seen in other markets like Taiwan and China,â&#x20AC;? the report said. For electric vehicles to be popular, apart from the fact that it has to match the performance parameters of the ones run on IC engines, charging points too need to be available. India has around 100,000 km of national highways and another 150,000 km of state highways. From a fuel pump perspective there are a total of 60,000 fuel pumps in the country with around 50% of those on highways, 27% in urban and 22% in rural. So broadly for 250,000 km of highways there are around 30,000 fuel pumps; broadly confirming to the global averages of a fuel station every 10 km. If we use this same benchmark for EVs and assume that fast charging stations will be needed at least on highways and urban cities, it would mean that India should need around 50,000 charging stations. With the ones in highways being DC fast charging stations and 10% of those in cities also being fast charging stations and the remaining 90% being AC stations. With an investment of around US$30,000 (Rs 20.98 lakh) for each DC station and US$10,000 for each Level 2 AC charging station, the total investment in charging infrastructure will be around US$1.5 billion (Rs 10,492 crore) for EVs (excluding land) to take off in a big way, the report said. Today, players like Hero Electric, Lohia Auto and YoBikes are the players struggling it out in this electric space with their two wheelers. Companies like Ather, Tork and a slew of other startups are now exploring this electric two wheeler space in India seriously. Only time will tell how successful they can get.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | MOTOWN INDIA | 17

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

18 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

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#BMWG310GS

BMW G 310 GS

GENIUS Report: P. Tharyan ; Photography: Afsar Baig

W S P EC I FICATIO NS ENGINE 313cc, water-cooled single cylinder, DOHC TRANSMISSION Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox POWER 34hp@9500rpm TORQUE 28Nm@7500rpm TYRES Front: 110/80 R19 Rear: 150/70 R 17

PRICE `3.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

hen BMW India announced the price of the G 310 GS at Rs 3.49 lakh, I wondered why it was a lot more expensive than the TVS Apache 310 RR. After all, were not the two bikes built at the TVS Motor Company Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu and even shared their frame and innards? So, if the power is the same at 34hp, the torque almost similar, the engine is the same, the features almost similar, then pray what makes the BMW G 310 GS a lot more expensive? I rode the BMW G 310 GS to get my answers.

DESIGN AND STYLING The moment I laid my eyes on the new BMW G 310 GS, I realised it was a lot different than the TVS bike and even the new BMW G 310 R roadster. The GS, unlike the other two is not a roadster but an everyday adventure

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motorcycle. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taller, better build, has a few additional features and definitely stands tall. Unlike the several mean adventure machines with massive engines to boot, this one can easily be tamed. Yes, if you are not more than 5 feet 10 inches tall you may not be able to plant your two feet on the ground when you are seated atop the bike. Unlike the roadster where the seat height is 785mm, this oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got 835mm. But the seat can be lowered or raised by 15mm, if needed, as part of the accessory package. The BMW G 310GS has been designed quite aerodynamically. From the front fender to the fuel tank and finally to the seat, the design and colour speak continuity. The bike comes with a small windshield, just the right size for a bike of this nature. There is a lot of top quality plastic used in and around the fuel tank with smart

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

BMW badges inscribed on either side. The fuel tank has a capacity to hold 11 litres of petrol. My opinion is that this tank could have been larger. Unfortunately, the GS gets halogen headlamps, unlike LEDs in the Apache 310RR. Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a letdown for a BMW bike. Unlike its roadster brother, this bike comes with larger tyres, R19 in front and R17 at the back. The GS gets Metzeler tyres with 150/70 at the rear and 110/80 in the front. The other differences include a cast aluminium rugged luggage rack at the back, suspension with 180mm travel both in front and rear, ABS that can be deactivated or activated by long pressing a switch on the left side of the handlebar and an exhaust system where the manifold has been altered from that of the G 310 R so as to do justice to the long spring travel. There is also a newly conceived heat shield at the rear. The G 310 GS like its roadster bro, comes with an instrument cluster with a large LC screen where the display is very bright and clear. Information like engine speed, road speed, gear, total kilometres, engine temperature, fuel tank level, remaining range, average fuel consumption, average speed and time are displayed digitally here.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE Riding the new BMW G 310 GS comes easy. A lot of riders may say that there could have been more power to the engine but my personal view is that the engine power at 34hp is more than adequate and the torque of 28Nm sufficient enough for most of the terrains in India, especially in and around cities. The sporty looking muscular bike is not intimidating to look and feel. Though the seat height is at 835mm, one can get a lower seat too at 820mm as part of the BMW accessories. Once you are seated, you realise that the tubular handlebars are perfect with its wide stance. Moreover, they are angled to the rear. The footrests have a jagged profile and to ensure that you are completely sure footed, you can

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#BMWG310GS

even remove the rubber cover on it and pop it into your pocket, especially when you want to ride standing when you hit some off-road sandy patches. The single piece seat is ideal for the pillion too as it’s not too high at the rear. While riding on city roads, I found that the bike had adequate power and sensible acceleration. It’s definitely not a performance bike, but when it comes to performance on roads and some light off road terrains, there’s no real complaining. So not giving it a slipper clutch does not make a very perceptible difference. But it definitely is a fun bike, both on and off the tarmac. The gear shifts come easy, though getting it back to Neutral comes with a bit of a struggle. The multi-plate wet clutch constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox is kind of easy to shift. The disc brakes in front and rear have adequate bite in them, especially with the ABS on. At the front it has a single 300mm disc with 4-piston fixed caliper, while at the rear it has a single 240mm disc with 2-piston floating caliper. The steel-wrapped bake lines ensure stable pressure levels. Off the beaten track, the suspension came quite handy, especially with its large travel. In front there is an upside down fork while at the rear there is an aluminium swingarm with a spring strut that is mounted on its directly. All of these absorb the road shocks to a great extent.

VERDICT The new BMW G 301 GS is a versatile motorcycle which rides rather easily and comfortably on city roads and has the ability to take on the rough too with a considerable amount of ease. It’s like your perfect buddy. But to give the BMW GS a price tag of more than Rs 3 lakh is quite unnerving. Maybe it’s because the BMW G 310 GS has no direct competition in the Indian market today. But sooner or later it will have, maybe then BMW India may retrospect on the pricing.

The new BMW G 301 GS is a versatile motorcycle which rides rather easily and comfortably on city roads and has the ability to take on the rough too with a considerable amount of ease. It’s like your perfect buddy.

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BMW G 310 R

W E N G N I C TRA SHORES r

tography: Neeraj Panwa Report: Aakash S. Paul ; Pho

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#BMWG310R

t seems like Indian riders have waited eons for the much anticipated sub-500cc bikes from German automaker BMW Motorrad. That is why I personally felt that the BMW G 310 R had a lot to live up to when I first swung a leg over the 313cc roadster that has been made in collaboration with TVS Motor Company. Many crumble when under such pressure. Is the BMW G 310 R one of those unfortunate or does it stand its ground?

DESIGN AND STYLE The BMW G 310 R is a sharp looking naked bike that gets a beefy and muscular fuel tank, fat golden forks at the front and the iconic BMW badging on the sides. The bike does resemble the S 1000R and that is a good thing. The finish all around is impressive with no ugly weld marks on the frame visible and the switchgear having a polished look. The digital instrument cluster packs in a good amount of information including speed, RPM, gear

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position, dual trip meters, distance covered, average speed, average fuel consumption, time and date. You also get a shift indicator on the right of the LCD. I was, however, let down by the heavy use of plastic which did not have the most sturdy feel. The G 310 R is not only about performance and good looks, it is quite practical too. The single piece seat offers decent amount of space for a pillion and there is a solidly

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT SP EC I F ICAT IO NS ENGINE 313cc, water-cooled single cylinder, DOHC TRANSMISSION Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox POWER 34hp@9500rpm TORQUE 28Nm@7500rpm TYRES Front: 110/70 R 17 Rear: 150/60 R 17

PRICE `2.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

built split grab rail that looks good and is functional. The triangular headlamp is a halogen unit which is a bit of a let-down but it looks good regardless. The tail-lamp on the other hand, is a sleek LED unit and fits in better with the rest of the design

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silhouette.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE By now everyone knows that the G 310 bikes from BMW share their engine with the TVS Apache RR 310 as both companies

developed it together. In fact even the frame is the same. So does the G 310 R feel identical to the Apache RR 310? The answer would be both, yes and no. Given that the same 313cc, single cylinder, water cooled engine is powering the bikes and

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#BMWG310R

the state of tune is also quite similar, the engine character is largely same. So the bike is a whole lot of fun to rev. There is a lot of punch in the mid-range that sort of tapers off as you reach the top. The lack of a faring does make the wind blast apparent and affects the top speed negatively. The exhaust note is also a lot different and more satisfying. The fierce cry makes you want to keep the bike on its toes almost always. This bike happily climbs the speedometer resulting in a very satisfying acceleration. The only thing that could have made it even better would be crisper shift. The 6-speed gearbox is pretty adequate most of the times but often times you do feel that it could have been just a tad bit smoother. The small seat height of 785mm, relaxed riding position and compact proportions of this bike make it great for using in the city. In the short time I spent with the bike, I did not feel an uncomfortable amount of heat on my legs or thighs which is always a plus. The suspension setup consists of 41mm USD forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear which is preload adjustable. They provide a comfortable ride and are soft enough to swallow bad roads if you are careful. Braking is something that impressed me hugely. The 300mm disc at the front and the 240mm disc at the rear are aided by BMWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ABS which comes standard. The rear brake does take a wee bit longer to stop you but pulling the front brake gives more immediate results without making you lose your balance.

I got to take the G 310 R over some sandy patches of road littered with gravel and found the bike to be quite stable without any major slips. So even though this might not be a big off-roader like the GS, the 17-inches Michelin tyres do take care of most terrains that you are bound to encounter. I also did the obligatory corner cutting and the bike impressed by holding the intended line.

VERDICT There is no doubt that the BMW G 310 R is a capable bike in almost all aspects and BMW Motorrad has managed to deliver a bike that is truly great for everyday use. The brakes and exhaust notes would be the highlights for me but not the price. I must say that it does meet expectations if not exceeding them. The price premium was somewhat expected but on the brighter side, common folks are one step closer to owning the esteemed BMW brand!

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KAWASAKI VULCAN S

SETTING THE STAGE

ABLAZE Report: Aakash S. Paul ; Photography: Afsar Baig

he mid-size cruiser segment is not too crowded in India right now. But that is not to say that there aren’t any interesting products there. One of them interestingly is from a brand that is not exactly known for catering to this segment. When I got to know that I would be able to ride the Vulcan S, Kawasaki’s first cruiser into the country, I was more than pumped. Special thanks to Aurum Kawasaki in Chhattarpur Enclave, New Delhi for generously lending us the bike for reviewing.

DESIGN AND STYLE The Vulcan S might not dress in the traditional Kawasaki green but it still makes a statement. The simple and composed black colour gives this bike a serious cruiser face. The matte finish is lovable and there are certain panels on the side finished in glossy black that add a nice accent. In case you would like your bike to have a brighter look then the company is offering the Vulcan S in an orange colour for an extra Rs 10,000. Being a cruiser, the bike is quite low slung and that means riders of all sizes can easily hop on and feel safe with their feet planted to the ground. The seat height is a mere 705mm. The curvy design begins with the rising fuel tank that depresses into the rider seat which again rises as it reaches the pillion seat only to taper off at the rear fender like a perfect wave drawn by a single brush stroke. I did not fancy the halogen unit in the triangular headlamp much but the tail looks decent. The fit and finish overall is very good and the bike looks neat. Even the switches on the handlebar have a nice look and feel. The meter console has a nice balance of

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giving you a retro feel as well as being functional. You have a semi-circular analogue speedometer with a digital display embedded underneath. The display shows an odometer, range, 2 trip meters, average fuel economy and even an Eco indicator. The only chink in the armour would be the not so flattering grab handles and saree guard (a compulsory fitment as per ARAI norms). A clever feature of the Vulcan S is Ergo-Fit. What this does is optimize the bike just a little for riders of most heights. The handlebar, seat and footpegs can be repositioned a little to allow for a different reach. In its stock configuration, the bike is ideal for most average height people. But if you are short then you can have the handlebars pulled back by an inch and the footpegs and seat brought in closer. The opposite can be done for taller people ( usually 6’2” and above). This is a feature that makes Kawasaki’s product stand out among others. The two piece seat is plenty comfortable with a very soft cushion and good amount of space for both, rider and pillion.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The Vulcan S gets the same 650cc twin cylinder engine that was also seen on the Ninja 650. The performance has obviously been tuned to fit the cruiser nature of the bike. Despite that some of the Ninja character has managed to slip through and I am not complaining. In fact it was refreshing and I loved

S P EC IFIC ATI O N S ENGINE 649cc liquid-cooled, parallel twin 4-stroke TRANSMISSION 6 Speed POWER 60.3hp@7500rpm TORQUE 63Nm@6600rpm TYRES Front: 120/70 R18 M/C 59H Rear: 160/60 R17 M/C 69H

PRICE `5.48 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

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#KAWASAKIVULCANS

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the feel of shifting at and above 7000rpm which is roughly where the peak power of 60hp and torque of 63Nm reside. As you lift off on the first gear and redline the machine to shift to the second, you are already close to triple digit speeds and it is only a matter of pushing a bit in the third that you achieve it. But adrenaline rushes aside, the bike does behave like a well planted cruiser at steady speeds. Yes, the peak power and torque figures come at rather high rpms, but at lower rpms the bike rides natural. You do feel the bikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length and weight while moving it

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around but you tend to get used to it pretty soon. Despite that, the Vulcan S did not shy away from leaning on one side as I took sharp corners. If you are a hardcore cruiser lover then the sound of the exhaust on the Vulcan S might not excite you. The sound while being low does not have the grunt that you would expect from a bike that looks the way the Vulcan S does. Of course it can be easily fixed with an aftermarket solution but adds to the total cost of the bike. While the soft suspension setup does soak

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#KAWASAKIVULCANS

Special thanks to AURUM KAWASAKI in Chhattarpur Enclave, New Delhi for generously lending us the bike for reviewing.

300mm dual piston disc at the front and 250mm single piston disc in the rear. You get a lot of bite combined with the surety of ABS.

VERDICT most of the irregularities of Indian roads, you might want to slow down before crossing a speed breaker or deep pothole as the ground clearance is very low. At 130mm, it is the stuff of nightmares. Braking is spot on with the

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The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a capable and lovable cruiser. I believe that Kawasaki has made a great first impression with this cruiser and the price is quite justified at Rs 5.48 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

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TVS APACHE RR 310

THE SPARR TAN

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#TVSAPACHERR310

S P EC IFIC ATIONS ENGINE 312.3cc liquid-cooled, singlecylinder 4-stroke TRANSMISSION 6 Speed POWER 34hp@9700rpm TORQUE 27.3Nm@7700rpm TYRES Front: 110/70 R 17 M/C 54H

Tubeless, 150/60 R 17 M/C 66H Tubeless

PRICE `2.23 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Report: Aakash S. Paul ; Photography: Afsar Baig

t was a historic moment when TVS Motor Company and BMW decided to join hands to develop a sub-500cc motorcycle. The bikes would be the smallest entry from the German automaker and the biggest from the homegrown company. TVS was first to hit the Indian market with their product and we had a chance to test it out on the track. The performance was impressive but we did not have enough

time to fully explore the bike. So with the BMW G 310 bikes finally hitting Indian shores we thought it would be a great idea to explore its brother from another mother - the TVS Apache RR 310.

DESIGN AND STYLING One look at the Apache RR 310 and you would have a hard time believing that it is not a sports bike made in Italy. TVS has outdone themselves with this one.

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There is almost no angle from which this bike does not impress. The red paintjob accented by white stripes in the middle and black bordering down below keep the design interesting. Even the way that the large fuel tank tapers toward the inside as it reaches the seat looks impressive and is practical. The circular Bi-LED projector headlamps look like eyes that glow white. However, it is the fang shaped futuristic looking tail lamp that

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takes the crown for me. The tail-lamp lends the bike a very aggressive look when viewed at night. You are bound to turn heads when you take this beauty out on the streets. A large windscreen at the front shields you from a lot of windblast and it is very easy to tuck in and go fast. Despite the aggressive sportsbike design, the bike is actually quite ergonomic and provides a comfortable riding position. The split seats provide good amount of cushioning and there is enough space even for broad riders. The pillion seat perched up high, however, is not the most ideal place and there are no grab handles to be found either. This is mostly a one person vehicle. The vertical digital meter console might not look too great but it does pack in a lot of functions and displays things like speed, RPM, fuel level, current gear, distance covered, engine temperature, trip meter, range, and top speed. You can also record your top speed and 0-60kmph timing. The hazard light switch can also be found on the left of the meter console and not on the handle bar. There is a gear shift indicator and a side stand indicator along with other helpful indicators.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The 312cc liquid cooled, single cylinder engine packs in 34hp and 27.3Nm of torque. When translated on road these

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result in a fun filled performance and due to the power and torque coming high up in the rpm band, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easily run out of juice at higher rpms. The 6-speed gearbox performs admirably. Acceleration is linear and likeable but sometimes I did feel that the bike could have had a wilder character as it lacks just a bit of punch when you pull the accelerator. Stability at triple digit speeds is unquestionable and getting to such speeds does not take long. The only sore spot would be the small amount of vibrations around 5000-6000rpm. The best fuel efficiency figure that I could manage with this bike was 33kmpl. With normal riding you can expect something between 27-30kmpl and with a fuel tank capacity of 11L you can expect a range of about 300kms. TVS has put in some work on the heat dissipation and it shows. Despite riding the bike for extended periods of time, my legs were shielded from engine heat. The heat from the engine travels through the faring and escapes via two slits on the lower side of the faring. For most of the time the bike was with me it was raining in Delhi. But I did not mind the rains too much as they allowed me to explore the capabilities of the brakes and tyres. The 17-inches Michelin tyers lend a remarkable grip, especially the wide rear tyre. With the help of ABS, both the front and rear disc brakes give

you plenty of stopping power without locking up the wheels. It was a great feeling to apply brakes on wet roads and not feel as if you will fall. Staying true to its racing nature TVS has fitted on KYB tuned monoshock at the rear and upside-down forks at the front. The result is a rather stiff setup that lends great agility to the bike when combined with the race spec trellis frame. Throwing this bike around is fun and you have a sense of confidence in every maneuver. The downside is that the ride is a little rough when you encounter bad roads and steep speed breakers. Still the bike soaks a lot of the smaller undulations.

VERDICT Spending time with the Apache RR 310 convinced me that this is the best work of TVS as of now and it does show. I enjoyed the sheer amount of eyeballs drawn toward me (the bike actually) whenever I took it out for a spin. The linear acceleration is not as wild as I would have liked but makes it easy to use in everyday riding. Despite having the looks of a sophisticated superbike, the RR 310 offers a lot of practicality and welcomes riders with a big grin. It is definitely worthy of the price tag and seeing as how the BMW G 310 bikes are priced, for many it would be a sensible move to opt for the RR 310 and save good bucks. Besides, petrol too isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cheap these days!

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#TVSAPACHERR310

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TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS

Report: Aakash S. Paul ; Photography: Afsar Baig

S P EC I F ICATIO NS ENGINE 765cc Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder TRANSMISSION 6 Speed POWER 121.3hp@11700rpm TORQUE 77Nm@10800rpm TYRES Front: 120/70ZR17 Rear: 180/55ZR17

PRICE `11.13 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

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What makes the Street Triple bikes so fun is not just the raw power and torque numbers, it is those figures combined with a light weight motor cycle.

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#TRIUMPHSTREETTRIPLERS

t has been almost a year since my outing with the Triumph Street Triple S- a middle-weight street fighter that I fell in love with. Since then I have ridden many more bikes offered by the completion and Triumph has also brought the RS version to India. So it was time to hop on the most powerful Street Triple ever and find if it still made my heart skip a beat or does the competition have an

upper hand.

DESIGN AND STYLING It is no surprise that the Street Triple RS retains most of its design elements from the S and in my eyes that is a good thing. But there are certain bits that are different. The RS gets a separate set of colours and I had the matte silver. The matte finish does suit the serious looks of

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the bike and if you are not a fan of glossy paints then this might interest you. There is additional RS badging to be seen, a red outline on the rims and a belly pan has been added. But the biggest change would be the new meter console. While the Street Triple S gets a part digital and part analogue meter console, the one on the RS is

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#TRIUMPHSTREETTRIPLERS

completely digital. There is a 5-inch full colour TFT display that gets a low and high contrast mode. It is one of the best instrument panels in the segment and can be tilt adjusted for better visibility. You can set the display contrast to auto in which cases the bike uses an ambient light sensor to automatically switch between low and high contrast mode. In my testing it worked quite well and the switch time was decently quick. There are a couple of display modes that prioritise different stats and thus suit different needs. Navigating through the different menus is made super intuitive with a joystick on the left side of the handlebar. Then you have the slightly increased seat height which is a bit of sad news for short riders. If you are less than 5’8” then you will find yourself tip toeing.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE All three variants of the Street Triple bikes share the same 765cc, three cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. The difference comes in the state of tune. In India we only get the base S and the top end RS variant while the R variant is missing which I don’t mind a whole lot. To put things in perspective, the Street Triple S makes 111.4hp of peak power and 73 Nm of peak torque while the RS bumps that up to 121.3hp and 77Nm. This increase in power and torque makes it the most powerful Street Triple bike till now. Couple that with the fact the S model was already quite power-packed, this bike is an absolute adrenaline filled joyride. What makes the Street Triple bikes so fun is not just the raw power and torque numbers, it is those figures combined with a light weight motor cycle. The Street Triple RS has a dry weight of just 166kgs and you can easily pop the front wheel or throw this bike into a corner without much hesitation. One hard pull of the accelerator and you will be reaching triple digit speeds before you can finish saying “Triumph Street Triple RS is fast”. Going fast is only made easier with a slip and assist clutch and a quickshifter. Since this is a naked bike, there is no windscreen to save you from the inevitable wind blast. You can get one fixed on though. I was a little surprised when I heard the exhaust note on the Street Triple RS. Perhaps due to my high expectations I was expecting a bit more but still I felt that the Street Triple S had a more

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visceral roar. The exhaust on the RS seems to have been tuned to provide a milder sound at lower revs and even when you are giving it the cane, the vocal cords don’t fully open up. There are 5 riding modes on offer- Road, Rain, Sport, Track and Rider Programmable. You can tweak things like the ABS and Traction Control and even switch them off and go all out. I would like to point out the rain mode which works flawlessly. I was caught in a bit of the Delhi monsoon one fine day and switching the ride mode to rain resulted in considerable improvement and no loss of traction. While you still get dual 310mm disc brakes at the front and a single 220mm disc at the rear with ABS, there is now a Brembo M50 4-piston caliper at the front and the ABS can be switched off. The braking performance was absolutely satisfying with a lot of bite and feel, especially from the front. There is also some tweaking done to the suspension. The front 41mm USD forks get 5mm more travel and are now preload adjustable. The rear gets a new Ohlins STXU40 monsoshock unit that is fully adjustable. In the stock state I found the suspension to be apt for the city, barring a few extremely broken roads. The balance of stiffness and comfort was quite right. However, when you take this bike out on the track you might want to tweak it a bit. The 17-inch Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres provide a lot of contact with the tarmac in all sorts of conditions, no matter if it is pouring or you pull the brakes all of a sudden or you are leaning hard on a corner.

VERDICT So did the Street Triple rekindle my love for itself? The answer is an absolute yes! In fact, I am head over heels for this one. Triumph already had a great roadster on their hands with the Street Triple S and with the RS they have not just bumped up a few numbers on the spec sheet, they have also packed the bike with a lot of electronics and rider aids. This bike, while being an absolute powerhouse, is very welcoming for new riders. My only real concern is the rather high price of Rs 11.13 lakh (ex-showroom). I am sure there would be many out there who would be willing to shed the said amount happily for an exhilarating performance, agile characteristics and what is perhaps the best instrument console in the segment.

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D U C AT I 9 5 9 P A N I G A L E

A DREA M

an has always had an innate desire to fly. Maybe he was curious about what lay beyond the clouds in the vast skies. But what could have triggered the imagination of those who created the Ducati 959 Panigale? I recently got to spend some time with the Italian sportsbike trying to get an answer to my query. The Ducati 959 Panigale adopts a very aggressive nose down design approach. Despite its high flying nature and aggressive styling, when standing still, the bike has a very confident stance. The large faring on the sports bike does a good job of hiding away the engine. There are LED DRLs in the headlamp cluster but the main unit remains a halogen which is a bit sad. Then there is the short and mean looking dual exhaust that screams in pleasure as you twist the throttle. It is no surprise that the bike offers a very committed riding posture and this is not the best when you get stuck in traffic (I

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M TO

was unlucky enough to be in one). The 955cc twin cylinder Superquadro engine can unleash a power of 150hp@10,500rpm and 102Nm of torque at 9,000rpm. You do not have to go too far in the gears or rpm band to realise just how much power is packed in this Italian stallion; all you need to do is rev it in the 2nd gear and then just stare at the speedo climb to triple digit speeds as there is enough meat in the low and mid-range to pull you through without breaking a sweat. The bikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ascent is only made quicker with the smooth gear shifts and the addition of a quickshifter. This 6-speed gearbox is so smooth that it seems as though the gears change even if you just think about it. Ducati very well knew what they were giving away to the common man; a weapon of mass destruction that needs precise control or else it will spell doom. So there are 8 levels of traction control, 5 levels of ABS and 3 levels of engine braking. Then for

the ease of operation there are 3 riding modes Wet, Sport and Race. You definitely feel the bikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length as you try to swerve it around quickly. While the bike is agile it does require a bit more attention and care especially when negotiating city traffic. While the brakes on the bike are extremely capable and you get ABS as well, it was a shame that the test mule that we got did not have the brakes in the best condition. The Brembo monoblock is fantastic and you get two discs up front and a single one at the rear. The Panigale 959 surprised me with how it absorbed the uneven city roads. Yet when I let it loose

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#DUCATI959PANIGALE

SCAN TO VIEW THE VIDEO

F LY

on the highway there was enough stability which is also partly thanks to the monocoque frame. Another thing expected of an engine of this size is heat which almost makes me wonder if R&D now should just focus on cooling engines rather than producing more and more powerful machines. At Rs 14.53 lakh (ex-showroom) the

Panigale 959 is a bomb that only few worthy can have. Those that do will swear by God that this is the Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. It looks that part and performs too. Yes, a couple of things have become a bit dated but that could be fixed with an update. Although when you find yourself flying high on your wings, all things seem small and insignificant.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 955c Superquadro, L-twin, liquid cooled Transmission: 6 Speed Power: 150hp@10500rpm Torque: 102Nm@9000rpm Suspension: Front -43mm Showa forks, Rear - Sach monoshcock Tyres: Front - Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 120/70 ZR17, Rear - Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 180/60 ZR17 Price (ex-showroom): `14.53 lakh

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

Ducati India celebrates 72nd Independence Day with Lotus Petal Foundation Luxury motorcycle brand Ducati successfully concluded its first Independence Day Ride in India, in partnership with Lotus Petal foundation. Over 350 Ducatisti from across the Ducati dealer network came together to celebrate the spirit of Independence and supported the cause of providing education and life of dignity for the children living in the slums. Kids supported by the Lotus Petal foundation and its founding members, spoke to the Ducatisti at the Ducati Gurgaon showroom and also flagged off the ride which passed through India gate and Delhi roads before culminating in Gurgaon. Sergi Canovas, MD of Ducati India, said “It’s a proud moment for Ducati, to have organised a first-of-its-kind Independence Day ride in

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the country, in association with the Lotus Petal Foundation. The Ducati family came out in great numbers to show their support to the cause and help raise awareness to transform the lives of the underprivileged. The participation from Ducatistis was a testimony to the brand and the motorcycle community giving a perfect platform for riders to come together to pledge independence from everything that’s holding these children back from achieving their aspirations.” The rides started at 7 AM from the Ducati dealerships across Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata & Chennai and the Independence Day ended on a positive note with the spirit of independence truly and aptly celebrated by Ducati India and its motorcycle community.

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL REPORT

More than 500 Triumph riders ride to support girl child education Triumph Motorcycles India marked the 72nd Independence Day of India with special Triumph Freedom Ride held across its dealerships in India. Celebrating the spirit of freedom, 513 riders from the Riders Association of Triumph groups participated in the ride. With the Triumph Freedom Ride, Triumph Motorcycles continued with it’s annual tradition of bringing riders together on the Independence Day to support the noble cause of girl child education. Triumph riders donated generously for this very special cause. The proceeds from the ride will support the #SheCanFly campaign of Smile Foundation, and will be used to educate girl children for one full year. Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 250 welfare projects

on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Shoeb Farooq who recently took over the reins of leading Triumph Motorcycles India led the ride from New Delhi. He said, “It was fantastic to see so many of our riders turning up for the Independence Day ride, all riding for a noble cause, It was indeed a proud moment for all of us to be a part of this Freedom Ride. In a country like ours, where the female population has limited access to education, it is imperative we continue to create opportunities for growing girl children to learn, grow and evolve. Like every year, Triumph enthusiasts have shown great amount of support for this noble cause wholeheartedly. I am certain that the number of riders will continue to rise and make the experience a memorable one”.

Suzuki Motorcycle India flags-off 4200 km Tri-Cultural Brotherhood Ride In a bid to celebrate the spirit of brotherhood across three nations - India, Myanmar and Thailand, Suzuki Brotherhood Tri-cultural ride was flagged-off on the occasion of India’s 72nd Independence Day. The 4200 kms Tri-cultural Ride, to be undertaken by the duo of Abhishek Mishra and Sonia Jain on Suzuki Intruder FI motorcycles, was flagged-off from the

India Gate. The ride is expected to be concluded at Bangkok during the first-week of September. Sonia Jain is a well-known motorcyclist while Abhishek Mishra is a popular figure amongst India’s marathon runners and a life-guru. The Tri-cultural Ride will follow the Friendship Expressway Corridor, moving

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from Delhi to Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Patna; towards the cities in the North-East – Nagrakata, Guwahati, Dimapur and Imphal. They will then enter Myanmar border from Tamu. The Myanmar odyssey ends at either the Golden Rock, or at Tachileik (depending upon the weather conditions; before entering Thailand where the ride will culminate at Bangkok).

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

2018 MARUTI SUZUKI CIAZ

POWERFUL PRESENCE

Report: P. Tharyan ; Photography: Afsar Baig

had before me a spruced up Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. It had now got a new 1.5 litre smart hybrid petrol engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. I had to find out whether this new face-lifted Ciaz was ready to take on competition with a lot more vigour. The car is being offered with a new 1462cc smart hybrid petrol engine as well as the existing 1248 cc smart hybrid diesel engine. While the latter comes only with a 5 speed manual transmission, the petrol engine gets an option of a five speed manual transmission as well as a four-speed automatic

42 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

transmission. We drove the top end automatic petrol variant for our review.

EXTERIOR DESIGN AND FEATURES The exterior of the new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz has been tweaked to some extent. No, it does not come with a sunroof, rather the front has a new grille and bumper. It now has new auto LED projector headlamps with DRLs and even the fog lamps are LED with chrome garnish. The rear gets an LED combination lamp. With chrome bezels on front and rear fascia, the car definitely looks quite

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#2018MARUTISUZUKICIAZ

S P EC IFIC ATION S ENGINE 1462cc, DOHC, Smart Hybrid

petrol

TRANSMISSION 4-speed automatic POWER 103.26hp@5000 rpm TORQUE 138Nm@4400rpm TYRES 195/55 R16 (Alloy) PRICE `10.97 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

elegant. The rear bezels, in fact, give the impression that the car has dual exhausts. To add to the elegant looks are the 16 inches alloy wheels in dual tone metallic pebble grey finish. The car comes with electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs. Though the new Ciaz has power windows, it is only the driver side that gets an auto up/down feature with anti-pinch.

INTERIOR DESIGN AND FEATURES The elegant character of the new Ciaz is not

confined to the exterior alone. Inside, you get to see a brand new setting with new Birch blonde wood grain accents that have an uber low gloss finish, satin chrome highlights on the dashboard and door trims, a new 4.2â&#x20AC;? Multi information colored TFT display and a speedometer which changes its colour depending on the driving pattern. Displays on the screen include fuel consumption, energy flow, trip details, driving range and gear shift indicator, which however is not there in the automatic. There is no compromise

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on the tech front with a touch screen that allows you functions like radio, navigation, call etc. The 17.8 cm touchscreen Smartplay infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirror Link. The steering wheel can be adjusted for tilt but not for reach. There are several controls on the steering for functions like voice command, volume control and cruise control. The top end we drove came with leather

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

upholstery, a leather wrapped steering wheel, a lot of chrome garnish, etc. While the front seats are manually adjustable but very comfortable, the rear seats too are plush and practical. There is a rear AC vent and the seats come with adjustable headrests. Leg room, knee room, shoulder room and head room are very adequate. There is a boot space of 510 litres. Though there is a power socket for the rear passengers, there are no direct USB slots at the rear. Manually adjustable rear sunshade, rear reading lamps and

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#2018MARUTISUZUKICIAZ

ample storage spaces makes the new Ciaz a very practical car.

SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE The new Martui Suzuki Ciaz has a smart hybrid technology. This means that the car has an inbuilt lithium-ion battery set up. Thus, each time you brake, the energy rather being wasted is stored in the batteries as part of a process known as brake energy regeneration. This in turn assists the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idle start stop and the torque assist functions. The energy stored in the lithium-ion battery also assists during acceleration. Not only optimal acceleration and performance is achieved but this also increases fuel efficiency. The point I need to make is that this car is not the least boring to drive. The automatic transmission comes with models like the Drive mode and even L and 2. The L and 2 are the modes that act like a manual mode for this automatic transmission. The

L is used for steady climbs or for crawling. The 2 acts like the 2nd gear. Interestingly tucked away on the auto gear shift lever is a tiny OD button which when pressed switches off the OD function. In essence, this means you are driving in the third gear. A small bright light on the instrument panel glows which signifies that your speed will be limited. All in all, the L, 2 and OD modes are now playing the role of a manual mode in an automatic. Quite an interesting feature by Maruti Suzuki! While driving down the national highway connecting Bengaluru and Hyderabad, I could not believe that this 4-speed automatic could behave like a 5-speed or 6-speed one. The power generation was so quick and linear that reaching speeds of 170kmph came without any struggle. The new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz has the oomph factor when it comes to its ride quality with a suspension that soaks in a lot of the rough. Despite the drum brakes at the rear and disc in front,

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the braking ability of this car is no way compromised. While the car could have done with a few more airbags at the top end, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heartening that it has features like reverse parking sensors, reverse parking camera, speed alert system, Electronic Stability Programme with Hill Hold Assist.

VERDICT The new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz has got the right tweaks, especially on the design and comfort front. Though it has scored on the performance front too with the new 1.5 litre Smart Hybrid petrol engine, the company should have offered at least six airbags in the top end variant of the car. Sadly, it comes with only two.

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FEATURES

F I R E F O X S O U L F LY

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

t’s when you step off the mundane path that you get to realise there’s an adventure awaiting you. That’s exactly what I experienced when I switched off the noisy engine of my car and lugged my cycle to a path less travelled. It was not very far from my office; rather it was just the ideal spot to go cycling on one like the Firefox Soulfly. Like the name of the bike, this one surely gets your soul flying high. It’s expensive no

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Soul

doubt, but it’s a lot sturdy, durable and better performing than the ordinary ones out there. It’s definitely not for the beginners but for someone who knows the intricacy of the gear system. This one’s a 2X 10 speed bike, which means it’s got two chain rings in front and 10 gears at the back. Depending upon the gradient and landscape, one can use the different combinations of the chain ring and the gears. The changes in the chain rings and gears can be done with the help of front and

rear derailleurs, levers for which are there on either side of the handlebar. The cabling for these is all internal. Before I go any further let me tell you that the small chain ring and the largest gear at the rear are the ideal combination for climbing hills, and the bigger chain ring in front and the smallest gear at the rear is the ideal combination on flat landscape. The light weight body of the cycle means

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#FIREFOXSOULFLY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Frame: Superior Alloy Hardtail MTB with internal cabling for front & rear derailleur Frameset size -16.5 & 18â&#x20AC;? Shifters: Shimano Deore M6000 2Ă&#x2014;10 speed Front & Rear Derailleurs: Shimano Deore M6025 / Shimano SLX M7000 Suspension: SRAM ROCKSHOX XC 30 with turnkey lockout, 100 mm travel Brakes: Shimano SLX M7000 Hydraulic disc brakes Cassette: Shimano Deore HG50, 11-36T Price (ex-showroom): `74,700/-

Inspiring that you can easily carry it around, if need be. The Firefox Soulfly has Rockshox suspension system with remote and turnkey lockout. With the help of a lever on the handle bar one can lock the suspension when needed, depending on the terrain you are riding. But when the suspension is unlocked, it does have the capability of 100mm travel, which is as good as that of an adventure motorcycle. I found the Soulfly a very capable cycle and

when you are in one of those tricky situations you also have hydraulic disc brakes at your disposal. Now these are ideal for hilly terrains, especially when you want to stop immediately. The Firefox Soulfly comes with several Shimano parts, be it the drivetrain, braking system, shifters, derailleurs, crank set or cassette. The saddle for the rider too is quite comfortable and is ideal for those harsh rides. The wheels are also very strong. These are alloy

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32 holes double wall rim wheels and covering them are Kenda tyres ideal for both urban ride as well as tough hilly rides. The handlebars are almost straight and are very comfortable to grip and ride. Unfortunately, accessories like bell, lights, saddle, stand, mudguards, flaps, etc are things which do not come with the cycle. They need to be bought separately. But when you have spent a bomb buying this versatile cycle, I am sure those extras will not pinch you much.

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FEATURES

Hero Cycles launches Rs 1999 bicycle with 30% more load bearing capacity Delivering on its promise of launching the most affordable mass user bicycle at just Rs 1999 just three months after Pankaj M Munjal had set the target for Hero Cycles in April, the market leader unveiled its all new Roadster – aptly titled ‘Sarthi’, at Jodhpur. Designed at Hero Global Design Center at Manchester, UK, this next generation roadster boasts of a hi-tech trapezium frame that has front tyres built larger in diameter than the rear ones, allowing a lower center of gravity, better stability and a game-changing 30% extra load-bearing capacity. The design for the Hero’s game-changing

roadster is inspired by motor vehicles such as the classic Royal Enfield. The difference in wheel size between the front and rear tyres allows a lower focal point from which the weight of the body may be assumed to act and hence obtain greater stability. The rider will find it easier to keep his balance and achieve the best sitting position. The front fork has the same shape as that of a Mountain Terrain Bike (MTB). Transmission efficiency has been increased by 2% for easier pedaling. Even when heavy loads are put on the back, there is a 6% reduction

in the likelihood of a roll-over. There is an oversized rear reflector for greater visibility and reflectors on the spokes as per ISO norms, steel mud-guards and studier rims and spokes.

US Trek Bicycle unveils Madone SLR in `4.19 lakh to `8.38 lakh range Trek Bicycle has launched the latest generation of its ground-breaking aerodynamic race bike, Madone. Renowned for its ability to balance aerodynamics with ride quality, the new Madone has been updated with key technologies that enhance the bike’s core

benefits for riders. Currently being raced by the both the Trek-Segafredo and Trek-Drops professional cycling teams, the new Madone is available for purchase now exclusively at Trek retailers worldwide.

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The new Madone SLR range retails in USA between USD 6,000 – USD 12,000 (Rs 4.19 lakh to Rs 8.38 lakh) and is available to Indian consumers via the “performance product” programme at all its authorised retail partners in India.

The Madone has proven to be one of the fastest aero superbikes on the planet. But what really sets the Madone apart is how it combines advanced aerodynamics, ultralightweight and superior ride quality into the best race bike available today.

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FEATURES

Ducati successfully concludes the 1st edition of DRE-Off Road Days in India Ducati India successfully concluded its very first edition of Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) – Off Road Days in India. The riding experience saw the presence of over 50 Ducatisti and NonDucati owners spread over two days on 4th and 5th of August and took place at the Off-Road Adventure Zone (ORAZ) circuit in Gurugram. This unique ride and training combo was aimed at further enhancing the skills of riders who are currently exploring different types of terrains by riding through various parts of the country. The DRE-Off Road Days pays special emphasis on making the riders feel more confident and safer off road. This training is provided by Ducati Certified trainer and founder of Raid De Himalaya Vijay Parmar. The sessions were concluded by recognising the participation of each candidate with a certificate of completion from Ducati India.

World X Series, an uber lifestyle rally, to make debut in India World X Series, an uber rich lifestyle rally series has announced its maiden India edition. The rally that will be held from October 11 to 14, 2018 will commence and conclude in Delhi. A group of 50 riders in 25 mean machines will meander through Pushkar, Udaipur, and Jaipur over these four days. The participants will relish great hospitality at their evening dinners and parties with some decadent luxury staying at world-class hotels including The Oberoi Udaivilas & Rajvilas. The Series offers a lifetime opportunity to explore and enjoy an amazing sojourn and lavish hospitality amidst the company of like-minded automotive enthusiasts who all share the thirst for adventure. World X has just completed its 5th Rally, the last one finishing in London’s Trafalgar Square, the next stage of the 2018 event calendar

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will be Europe – London – Paris Monaco – Barcelona, before the World X Series high octane rally heads East!

India. Rajasthan is known for its world-class hospitality and World X is here to host its clients with the same grandeur and royalty.

In the history of World X Rally, it is conducted in a region outside Europe for the first time. With an existing proven track record of successful one day and weekend rally events, India’s edition will also give an opportunity to the like-minded car enthusiasts, to explore the heritage, culture and the luxury which the route would follow as well as enjoy some amazing parties and meet more like-minded petrolheads. World X Series promises to take its participants and their beloved supercars on a 3 night 4-day luxurious journey, to relive the royal era of

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FEATURES

Maruti’s storytelling caravan to promote a clean India using a Japanese concept Swachh Bharat has a got a friend in Japan. Or should we say Maruti Suzuki? Swachh, which means ‘clean’ in Hindi language, has just got the right boost from a Japanese word ‘Mottainai’ which means “Do not Waste”. In order to tackle the ills of growing urbanisation like improper dumping of garbage, polluting of sewage systems, open defecation, burning of hazardous materials and vegetation, India’s leading car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki is adopting a Japanese way of cleaning India, along with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The aim of this initiative by Maruti Suzuki is to drive behavioural change among people, especially children. So the company, along with JICA is

supporting storytelling sessions based on “Mottainai Grandma”, a successful picture book published by Kodansha, a leading publication from Japan. Understanding the need of Indian demographics, the book is adapted in Hindi and English in collaboration with National Book Trust (NBT). The story telling caravan has been initiated by Kodansha with the objective of promoting ‘Clean India’ mission by creating environmental awareness among the students. School children, between 9-12 years, will take part in the activity and learn the values of cleanliness, use of resources and consciousness towards environment. The inaugural session was conducted at Girls Govt. Primary School, Kasan, in Manesar, supported by

Maruti Suzuki. A caravan, a Maruti Suzuki Super Carry, loaded with over 300 books will accompany the story telling troop as a mobile library. The troop will visit 30 schools in Delhi, Gurugram and Manesar. These include six schools supported by Maruti Suzuki. Ajay Tomer, Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said “Mottainai is a thoughtful Japanese word which means “Do not Waste!” It is a word of compassion and love, for nature and its bounty. We are happy that JICA has taken this initiative to educate students on environment consciousness. The interactive method reinforces the age old practice of storytelling in India.

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With Mottainai Grandma, these students will retain the lessons for life. We are confident that this activity will strengthen our community development projects by driving behavioural change and contribute to Government’s Swachh Bharat Mission.” Maruti Suzuki has been working in the area of school education for over nine years under its Community Development initiative. The Company strives to increase enrollment, enhance retention and improve learning levels in adopted Government schools in communities around their manufacturing facilities. The Initiative will be conducted in 4 phases, through a project methodology based on verification of a development effect.

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FEATURES

Land of LAND ROVERS in India’s West Bengal

Land Rover took its 70th anniversary celebrations to new heights by visiting a remote rural community in West Bengal that relies on a fleet of classic models for its very survival. Known as the ‘Land of Land Rovers’, the rural location deep in the Himalayas is reliant on a fleet of meticulously maintained Series Land Rovers dating back as far as 1957. A film has been released that highlights the spectacular 31 km journey made often by residents of Maneybhanjang in West Bengal, India to Sandakphu for their means of living. Towering gradients, rock-strewn pony tracks and treacherous weather are just some of the hazards faced on a daily basis by the residents and their Land Rovers on the journey to the hilltop village, which sits at an altitude of approximately 3 636 m. Land Rover’s team visited the remarkable collection of Series models, which provides a vital role for the community as reliable and unstoppable all-terrain transport. This year marks 70 years since the original Land Rover made its debut at Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948. Land Rover is marking this milestone with a series of celebrations throughout 2018, including a special broadcast, record-breaking convoys and a display in London’s Design Museum.

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FEATURES

70 YEARS OF LAND ROVER: TIMELINE 1948

Land Rover Series I launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show

1953

Long Wheelbase version of the Series I is introduced

1956

Oxford and Cambridge teams complete on London to Singapore expedition in Series I

1958

Land Rover Series II unveiled with more refined design

1970

Original two-door Range Rover (the Classic) goes on sale

1971

Land Rover Series III launched

1972

Range Rover crosses Darien Gap on 18 000-mile Trans-America expedition

1976

1 000 000th Land Rover built

1979

A Range Rover wins the inaugural Paris-Dakar rally (and again in 1981)

1981

Land Rover begins legendary partnership with Camel Trophy

1981

Four-door Range Rover released

1989

Land Rover Discovery, the third Land Rover model, goes on sale

1990

Original ‘Landie’ relaunched and renamed Defender

1994

Second generation Range Rover launched

1997

All-new Freelander is unveiled with innovative new technology: Hill Descent Control

2001

Third-generation Range Rover with all-round independent air suspension revealed

2003

Inaugural G4 challenge sees 16 teams traverse USA, South Africa and Australia

2004

Range Stormer Concept previews performance Range Rover and three-door body

2004

Discovery 3/LR3, the third-generation Discovery, launched at New York Motor Show

2005

All-new Range Rover Sport unveiled

2006

Freelander 2/LR2 launched. The first Land Rover to be manufactured at Halewood

2008

LRX concept car previews design language of a new luxury compact SUV

2009

Fourth generation of the Land Rover Discovery introduced

2010

Range Rover Evoque, the world’s first luxury compact SUV, makes global debut

2012

Fourth-generation Range Rover introduced – the first all-aluminium SUV

2013

New generation of Range Rover Sport unveiled at New York Motor Show

2014

Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division is officially launched

2014

Range Rover Sport SVR debuts, the fastest, most agile, most powerful Land Rover

2014

Discovery Vision Concept previews design vision for new family of Discovery vehicles

2014

Launch of Discovery Sport, a new premium compact SUV with 5+2 seating

2015

Trio of end-of-line Defender editions revealed with biggest sand drawing in UK

2015

Exclusive Range Rover SVAutobiography long wheelbase launched in New York

2015

Evoque Convertible becomes world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible

2015

One-of-a-kind Land Rover ‘Defender 2 000 000’ sells for £400 000 at charity auction

2016

Last Defender rolls off the production line

2016

All-new Discovery with world-first remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology launched

2017

Land Rover launches the fourth Range Rover, the Velar

2018

Limited Edition Range Rover SV Coupé debuts at Geneva Motor Show

2018

Land Rover marks 70th Anniversary on 30 April with celebratory broadcast

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SEPTEMBER 2018 | MOTOWN INDIA | 53

B2B NEWS

Indian auto component Industry grows 18.3pc in 2017-18 at US $51.2 billion The Indian automotive component industry that contributes 2.3 per cent to India’s GDP and has a share of 4 per cent in India’s exports, stood at Rs.3.45 lakh crore (USD 51.2 billion) for the period April 2017 to March 2018, registering a growth of 18.3 pc over the previous year. These were part of the findings of the Industry Performance Review for the fiscal 2017-2018 announced by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing India’s auto component manufacturing industry. The above data represents the supply from auto component industry (ACMA members and nonmembers), on-road and off-road vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket in India along with exports. The data also includes component supplies captive to the OEMs.

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA said, “The year gone by witnessed an upswing in the overall performance of the vehicle industry, despite it facing several regulatory challenges. The component industry, in tandem, posted an encouraging performance with significant growth of 18.3 percent over the previous fiscal, registering a turnover of Rs. 3,45,635 crore (USD 51.2 billion). Further exports, grew by 23.9 per cent in FY 2017-18 to Rs.90,571 crore (USD 13.5 billion)”. Speaking about the need for government intervention to sustain long-term growth in the auto component industry, Nirmal Minda, President, ACMA noted, “The dynamics of the automotive market is undergoing a significant transformation as the industry strives to become compliant to various regulations related to emissions, safety and environment, including the transition from BSIV to BSVI. That apart, key trends such as vehicle connectivity, electrification of

vehicles, shared mobility, Industry 4.0 among others are also redefining mobility. To support the changing customer needs and to stay relevant, the auto component sector needs to be encouraged with supportive government policies.” KEY FINDINGS OF THE ACMA INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2017-18:

IMPORTS: Imports of auto components increased by 17.8 per cent to Rs.1,06,672 crore (USD 15.9 billion) in 2017-2018 from Rs.90,571 crore (USD 13.5 billion) in 2016-2017. Asia accounted for 60 per cent of imports followed by Europe and North America, with 30 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. AFTERMARKET: With increasing vehicle base in the country, the aftermarket in 2017-18 grew by 9.8 percent to Rs 61,601 crore (USD 9.2 billion) from Rs.56, 096 (USD 8.4 billion) in the previous fiscal.

EXPORTS: Exports of auto components grew by 23.9 per cent to Rs 90,571 crore (USD 13.5 billion) from Rs 73,128 crore (USD 10.9 billion) in 201617. Europe accounted for 34 per cent of exports followed by North America and Asia, with 28 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. The key export items included drive transmission & steering, engine components, Body/ Chasis, Suspension & Braking etc. Picture for representation purpose only

ESCORTS CHAIRMAN RAJAN NANDA PASSES AWAY Rajan Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Limited, passed away on August 5, 2018 after a brief illness. He was 76 years. Nanda joined Escorts in 1965 at the age of 23, and in 1994, he took over as the Chairman of Escorts Group, when his father and the founder Chairman, H P Nanda, stepped down after a 50 years long innings. A committed philanthropist and visionary, Rajan Nanda will always be remembered for his vision of sound business governance, acumen and value driven management practices. It was under his stewardship that new technologies were introduced in various businesses to spearhead the growth to the next level, and today, the Escorts Group is moving ahead in the high growth areas of Agri-Machinery, Construction Equipment and Railway Equipment. Nanda was also instrumental in setting up the state-of-the-art R&D facility for Escorts at Faridabad which today is the bedrock for innovation and new product development which is making Escorts an exporter to the world.

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B2B NEWS

Continental inaugurates new R&D facility for brake systems Technology company Continental, which celebrates ten years of local production in India, has announced the inauguration of a new facility for its R&D centre in Gurgaon. The new facility, located within its existing Gurgaon Plant premises, will cater to global and regional R&D requirements for its brake systems businesses. The new facility is aligned to the company’s strategy of increasing its R&D footprint in India. Currently the capabilities of the R&D centre at Gurgaon include design and testing for brake systems, and offshore engineering activities for Continental’s Italy and Japan regions. The company also operates a full-fledged R&D center - Continental Technical Center India (TCI) - in Bangalore, catering to Continental’s entire Automotive business, globally. “As a technology company, it is Continental’s priority to invest in the technologies of

tomorrow. India is an important R&D hub for Continental, and we plan to increase our R&D footprint in the country. With focused R&D, innovations and ongoing improvement of our components Senior Continental officials at the inauguration of a new R&D facility and systems, both at this the Hydraulic Brakes business new center dedicated to brake in India, “We are glad to make systems and at TCI, India’s this investment to broaden contribution to Vision Zero – a the scope of R&D and further future with zero accidents – will strengthen existing capabilities be significant,” says Prashanth at this location. At Continental Doreswamy, Head of Continental Gurgaon, we manufacture and India and Managing Director, assemble a series of products Continental Automotive India. that enhance safety in vehicles at various levels. Now, with a As explained by Thomas full-fledged R&D Center, we Laudes, Managing Director, are enhancing the added value Continental Automotive Brake to the Corporation by driving Systems (India), who also heads innovation.”

According to Krishan Kohli, head of Vehicle Dynamics business in India, “With a range of safety technologies that address current legislative requirements and are futureoriented, Continental is in a position of strength in the market. This new R&D center houses the Vehicle Dynamics test labs and will augment our R&D and engineering presence in India. We are excited to be part of this growth.”

Revv raises `100 cr in series B funding led by Hyundai Motor Revv, a car-sharing company, announced the company has secured Rs 100 cr in a Series B funding round led by Hyundai Motor, South Korea’s largest automaker, making Hyundai the first and only automotive company among Revv’s investors. Revv’s existing investors Edelweiss and Beenext also participated in the round, with new investors Dream Incubator,

Sunjay Kapoor of Sona BLW and Telama Investment. Revv is amongst the largest car sharing platforms in India with a presence in 11 cities, serving more than 300,000 users. It aims to re-imagine the mobility solutions for users’ needs ranging from “few hours to few years”, to cater to the vast majority of Indians who do not own a car

yet. Its products include hourly self-drive car sharing, one-way outstation car sharing and Switch – India’s first monthly car subscription program, where members enjoy all the benefits of car ownership without the hassle, upkeep and commitment. With its strategic investment in Revv, Hyundai Motor gains its first foothold in the Indian

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car sharing market and is the only automotive company amongst Revv’s investors. Hyundai Motor’s blueprint is to co-develop the company’s new growth engine by developing innovative mobility services that combine technologies such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence with the sharing economy to transform people’s lives.

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B2B NEWS

Rico Auto forays into 4-wheeler aftermarket; completes one year in 2W aftermarket After one year of successful journey of Rico Auto in the aftermarket two-wheeler market, the Arvind Kapur-controlled company has announced its foray in the 4- wheeler aftermarket component segment. The announcement was made at a Distributor’s Meet organised to celebrate Rico Auto’s one year success. The company has established a strong network of 40 channel partners across India and has made a strong presence in Nepal and Sri Lanka as well. Last year Rico Auto after-market vertical started with 28 products, and added 250 more new products to existing lineup, taking the total product line up to over 400 products, in both the 2 & 4 wheeler component segment by end of 2018-19. Arvind Kapur, Chairman, CEO & MD, Rico Auto said, “With the success of over 35 years in manufacturing components and success in the Indian OEMs auto component space it gives me pleasure to announce our foray in the

4-wheeler aftermarket segment as we cherished overwhelming response and acceptability of our 2W products in last one year. We are highly optimistic and foresee a remarkable performance in the 4-Wheeler aftermarket. I would like to thank all our supporters, associates, dealers and other stakeholders who have been our support system over the years and look forward to developing close knit and mutually sustainable relationship to add another chapter to the remarkable growth story of Rico Auto.” The company sees tremendous growth opportunity in the aftermarket, and hopes to meet its projected Senior Rico Auto officials at the press meet revenue of over Rs 100 Cr by 2020. The aftermarket will have a range of products with its International quality wheels, & other aluminum parts in 2 wheeler standards like clutch plates, clutch assembly, segment and brake drum, brake pad, brake brake shoes, disk brake pads, brake drum, alloy shoe & brake disc etc. in 4-wheeler segment.

BorgWarner’s Exhaust Heat Recovery System enters production soon Developed for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), BorgWarner’s innovative Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS) will enter production later this year for vehicles from a major North American automaker. By using the heat from exhaust gas which would normally be diverted through the exhaust pipes and wasted, the company’s technology reduces engine warm-up time, enhances efficiency and significantly improves fuel economy and

reduces emissions. This costeffective solution offers compact packaging, low weight and can easily be integrated into existing vehicles. Combining an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system with a waste heat recovery system (WHRS), BorgWarner leverages its vast experience in heat transfer and exhaust gas aftertreatment technologies, such as EGR coolers and valves, enabling the company to offer a superior solution. The EHRS reduces mechanical losses by

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using the energy conserved within the exhaust gas. During engine cold starts, a valve controls the exhaust gas flow, routing it through a heat exchanger, where the thermal energy of the gas heats up the vehicle’s subsystem fluids. As a result, the engine warms up faster, reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. BorgWarner’s lowpressure EGR valve precisely controls the temperatures in the combustion chamber, improving engine efficiency and

combustion timing. In addition, the technology reduces carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions as well as particulate matter (PM).

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B2B NEWS

IAC opens new Manesar Plant ; Consolidates 2 operations into one International Automotive Components (IAC), a leading global supplier of automotive components and lightweight vehicle solutions, has inaugurated its new stateof-the-art plant in Manesar. This milestone was marked by a ceremony held with the IAC management, employees and key customers in attendance. The new 5,574-square-meter (60,000-square-foot) Manesar plant consolidates two older operations in near proximity into one manufacturing location. The company invested more than $2.0 million (Rs 13.8 crore approx.) in the modernisation of the equipment and facility, which will employ approximately 220 people. It will produce vehicle headliners, center console systems, and instrument panel components and provide expanded manufacturing and engineering support to domestic and global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers in the New Delhi automotive region. “IAC is committed to investing in India and creating a meaningful presence near

Manesar opening, IAC has five locations throughout India and 18 design, technical, and commercial centers around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, International Automotive Components (IAC) Group is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, including instrument panels, console systems, door panels, headliners and overhead systems to automakers around the world. The company’s 2017 sales were $4.4 billion. its major automotive centers,” said Gajanan Gandhe, IAC Senior Vice President of Asia Operations. “Our new facility in Manesar will help us better serve current customers’ needs and offer regional advanced manufacturing and engineering capabilities for next-generation vehicle interiors,” Gandhe stated.

established in Pune to focus on application development engineering to support the vehicle interior needs of domestic and global OEM customer programs. With

This is the second location opened by IAC in India in the past 13 months. In June 2017, a regional and global engineering center was

Tata Motors celebrates 50,000th Nexon roll out at Ranjangaon facility Tata Motors has rolled out the 50,000th Nexon SUV from the company’s Ranjangaon facility near Pune in the state of Maharashtra. Present at the rollout were Mohan Savarkar, Vice President, Product Line Head, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit and Rajesh Khatri - VP Operations, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors. Launched in September 2017, The Tata Nexon recently set a new benchmark for safety in India with a 4-star adult safety score (13.56/17.00) - the highest amongst all the models tested across the Indian market by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP). (Read about crash report on Page6)

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B2B NEWS

Tata Motors to ramp up Sanand facility as it reaches 100% capacity utilisation Growing demand for Tiago and Tigor vehicles To further meet growing demand for its new generation passenger vehicles, Tata Motors announced its ramp up plans for the Sanand plant. Operating at 100% capacity utilisation currently, the plant has so far rolled out over 4,50,000 units, since inception and is among fastest expanding plants of Tata Motors. The Company is currently mapping out its modular architecture plans and will distribute its Passenger Vehicle manufacturing between Pune and Sanand to meet its product expansion plans. Spread over 1100 acres of land, the Tata Motors’ Sanand plant has played an important role in the development of the automobile industry in the state of Gujarat. From a single model plant in 2010, the plant today has emerged as a multi-model facility, becoming one of the most technologically advanced plants. With a flexible assembly line, the plant today manufactures Nano, Tiago and Tigor models spread across 21 variants with 150 vehicle combinations. It is also producing engines - Revotron 1.2L – Petrol (Manual & Auto Transmission), Revotorq 1.05L – Diesel, 624 CC, MPFI – Petrol (Manual & Auto Transmission) and 1.2 NGTC – Petrol (Manual & Auto Transmission).

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B2B NEWS

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B2B NEWS

Keeping up with the Government of India’s vision to bring Electric Vehicles in India, the Sanand plant produced the first electric passenger vehicle for commercial use in the form of Tigor EV and continues to support deliveries of the EESL order. Additionally, the plant is gearing up for more in the future. Being the youngest plant of Tata Motors, this facility leverages technology with over 190 robots, with high levels of automation to increase productivity across processes. In last two years, the number of employees has increased by 80% at 4,500. As of today, the plant has employed, close to 100% blue collar from Gujarat against the mandated requirement of 85%. The Sanand plant has been awarded CII’s GreenCo Platinum Certification in June 2018. It is a zero discharge plant and has a systematic hazardous waste disposal process. The plant is using 30-35% of renewable energy from total power consumption. The plant has commissioned 2MW of roof top solar panels and off-site wind power mills with capacity of 9MW. The plant has 180 acres of green belt created and nurtured out of waste water. Several initiatives have been taken with an aim to reduce carbon footprint. With a focus on climate change, Sanand plant achieved 1,300-tCO2e (Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) reduction in Carbon Emission on an average per month in FY18. In the last few years, Tata Motors has witnessed strong growth in the market owing to its turnaround strategy. This has been largely possible because of the many initiatives that have been taken with respect to optimizing all business functions in the most effective manner possible. With the revamped structure in effect at the range of plants owned by the company, the Sanand facility is being used to the fullest of its capacity, thereby vastly helping the company to bring products faster to the market. Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “We, at Tata Motors, have been working aggressively towards our core strategy of Turnaround 2.0, aiming to ‘Win sustainably in PVs’. A lean manufacturing process plays a key role in our growth strategy enabling the Sanand plant to contribute around 60% of the overall PV production. The plant has evolved to become a modern, state-of-the-art facility and is playing a vital role meeting aspirations of Tiago and Tigor customers. The plant has already achieved WCQ 3 level in quality standards and we are extremely proud of this achievement”

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B2B NEWS

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B2B NEWS

Maxxis Sanand Plant rolls out first batch of tyres for HMSI

Maxxis India, a sub-company of Maxxis Group, has rolled out its first two-wheeler tyres consignment from the recently set-up Sanand, Gujarat facility to Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI). The company has been supplying OEM tyres fitment to HMSI through its Vietnam facility since 2016. The first completely locally produced tyre from the facility is the 90/100-10 M6000 for Honda Activa 5G, Activa i and Dio scooters. This tyre is designed to provide extra strength and safety to the vehicles. The Sanand plant is equipped with technologies of the future that enable world class quality products. The plant has been operational since August 2017 and caters to two wheeler tyre and tube production. The company

plans to set up 4 more plants in India which will cater to four wheeler tyre production as well. Maxxis is aiming to supply 1 million tyres to its OEM partners and capture 15% of the Indian two-wheeler tyre market by 2023. Commenting on the event, Liu, Plant Head, Maxxis India, said, “This is a landmark moment for us at Maxxis India as we mark the first ‘Made in India’ consignment delivery to our long-standing partners Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. Maxxis has set high standards in providing benchmarked product quality and customer service, globally and India will be no exception. While this is our first locally manufactured consignment to HMSI, Maxxis has been the preferred original equipment tyre supplier to Honda Activa since 2015.”

Honda Navi sells 1 lakh units Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI) announced the Honda Navi has recorded 1 lakh customers. The Fun motorcycle, Honda Navi was launched at the Auto Expo 2016. The Honda Navi is the first 100% indigenously developed model by Honda R&D India i.e. from the concept development to commercial production. The Honda Navi will now be available in two new international markets- the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica within this year. Currently, the Honda Navi is

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exported to 10 countries. Yadvinder Singh Guleria - Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The trendy Navi is a style statement and trendsetter for the youth. The unconventional design, looks and endless possibilities of customization has helped us to engage young 2Wheeler enthusiasts not only in India, but around the world. They all are enjoying the Navi fun ride and exploring unique customisation options.”

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Mahindra, John Deere, New Holland rank highest in JD Power tractor study Tractor performance satisfaction is 20 points lower (on a 1,000-point scale) among owners younger than 35 years of age, compared with those who are older than 35 years, according to the latest J.D. Power 2018 India Tractor Product Performance Index (PPI) Study. Additionally, owners younger than 35 years of age are less likely to recommend their tractor brand to a colleague or friend than are their older counterparts. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of younger buyers say they “definitely would” recommend their tractor brand to friends and relatives, compared with 68% of older buyers who say the same. Tractor owners’ overall satisfaction with product performance improves to 841 from 823 in 2017, illustrating a second consecutive year of improved satisfaction. The increase in satisfaction is observed in both the machine performance and quality and reliability indices. “Younger cohorts in rural India are increasingly less influenced by word-of-mouth referrals in their new-product purchase decision and are evaluating products and services on several aspects before finalising their purchase, while also displaying lower brand stickiness,” said Yukti Arora, Practice Lead at J.D. Power. “With a multitude of choices available, greater information accessibility and strong desire to explore different options, the younger generation of tractor buyers is relatively harder to please. Thus, the success

of tractor manufacturers in attracting and retaining the attention of this new generation of buyers hinges on creating value that resonates with them. This set of progressively informed and demanding customers is exerting pressure on OEMs to exhibit unprecedented agility in delivering at a pace that matches their heightened and continually evolving expectations,” noted Arora. The study also notes a high increase in cross-shopping rate among new tractor buyers over the last 4 years, with 21% customers stating they considered another tractor brand before buying their tractor in 2018, compared to only 14% in 2015. “Just being there is no longer enough to succeed in this market. To navigate through a crowded field of enhanced product offerings and latest technologies, tractor manufacturers need to create distinct experiences that standout from the clutter. Thinking of innovative ways of forging long-lasting relationships with customers will help OEMs to harness the opportunity that the sector presents today” said Arora.

highest satisfaction on both machine performance and quality and reliability at 871 and 862 respectively, compared with below 31HP (847 and 841 respectively), 31-40 HP (835 each) and 41-50 HP (845 and 841 respectively) segments. • Tyres remain an issue: Excessive or uneven tire wear continues to be the most frequently reported problem for the fourth consecutive year; it is also cited as the most bothersome problem by tractor owners. • Loyalty is up: Overall loyalty and advocacy rates have gone up in 2018, with 58% of tractor owners saying they “definitely would” purchase the same tractor brand again, compared with 52% in 2017; 65% say they “definitely would” recommend their tractor brand, up from 56% last year.

STUDY RANKINGS Mahindra Swaraj ranks highest in the below 31 HP and 31-40 HP segments, scoring 864 and 843 points,

respectively. Swaraj leads in all seven machine performance categories in the below 31 HP segment, and in six of the seven categories in the 31-40 HP segment. John Deere and Mahindra, in a tie, rank highest in the 41-50 HP segment with a score of 851 points. While the former performs particularly well in three of the seven machine performance categories, the latter leads in the remaining four categories. New Holland ranks highest in the above 50 HP segment with a score of 870 points. The 2018 India Tractor Product Performance Index Study is based on responses from 3,835 tractor owners across 14 states. The study was fielded from January 2018 to May 2018 and includes owners who purchased a new tractor between January 2016 and May 2017 from an authorised dealership.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: • Above 50 HP segment posts highest satisfaction: Owners of above 50 HP tractors report the

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Picture for representation purpose only

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Ashok Leyland subsidiary Optare wins world’s first Electric Double Decker order Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, announced that its subsidiary Optare PLC has won a prestigious order from Transport for London (TfL). The order is for 31 Optare Metrodecker EV doubledecker buses to be bought by Metroline and will be added to London’s fleet by next summer. The buses will be used on Metroline’s iconic routes 43 (Friern Barnet – London Bridge) and 134 (North Finchley – Tottenham Court Road), which will become exclusively operated by electric double deckers. This landmark order delivers the largest pure electric double-decker bus fleet in Europe and was recently

announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan at a national air quality summit. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, said, “Double-decker buses in London have been iconic and is a matter of prestige for the city. It is a moment of great pride not only for us but for our country, as our subsidiary, Optare wins such a crucial and environmentally significant order. Optare, along with active involvement of Ashok Leyland engineering, has been at the forefront of e-mobility evolution and this order proves that it has the technology prowess that is expected from one of the most challenging markets like the UK.”

Ashok Leyland introduces Innoline, a BS4 engine driven by inline fuel pump Commercial vehicles manufacturer Ashok Leyland has unveiled Innoline, the world’s first BS4 engine driven by Inline Fuel Pump. It is the latest innovation for commercial vehicles from Ashok Leyland. After the success of the first mechanical pump for BS3 engines in India, and its iEGR (Intelligent Exhaust Gas Recirculation) technology, Ashok Leyland has combined both these indigenous innovations to successfully introduce the inline pump for BS4 engines for the first time in India. Innoline combines the efficiency and performance of the iEGR technology with the simplicity of the renowned “sada” or ‘Inline’ pump. Ashok Leyland is the only OEM in the world to achieve this

innovative feat, which would bring immense benefits to its customers. This technology can be upgraded and used for BS6 engines as well. Innoline, as the name suggests, is the innovative inline pump or the upgraded “SADA” pump. This inline pump is well known in the Indian commercial vehicle industry and is preferred by the drivers

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and service mechanics alike. Apart from the benefits of the iEGR technology, like lower cost of operations and no hassles of AdBlue (Urea), Innoline makes the maintenance of the engine much simpler for the mechanics, and gives a hassle-free service experience to the customers.

Ashok Leyland wins Bangladesh order for 300 double decker buses Ashok Leyland announced that the company has won an order from Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) for the supply of 300 Ashok Leyland buses. The order is for double decker buses which will help in decongesting the busy roads of Dhaka. This procurement is against a tender under Indian Line of Credit. The delivery will take place within eight months from now. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, said, “Bangladesh is one of our key export markets and this order further strengthens our position. This order win in Bangladesh is yet another testimony of our leadership in the country. Our in-depth understanding of public transport and understanding of the market and customers is what differentiates us and has helped us win this order.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Continental to showcase right-turn assistance systems at the IAA CV exhibition Technology company Continental will show visitors the future of the right-hand turn assistant for trucks at the 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition, which takes place from September 20 to 27, 2018 in Hanover, Germany. The driver assistant experts are working intensively on future generations of the system – and Continental already offers radar-based systems for series development in original equipment. Work is also being done on appropriate retrofitting solutions. In the next few years, these assistance systems will be even more effective by the additional use of cameras, and subsequently through artificial intelligence. Especially in city traffic it can happen that trucks turning right at corners hit cyclists or pedestrians. For that reason, demands are growing for the compulsory installation of right-turn assistants in trucks. However, EU-wide legislation is not expected for at least a few years. This is why countries like

Germany rely on the voluntary commitment of the automotive and transport industries to install right-turn assistants ex works or to retrofit trucks – and these systems are already very popular because they help to prevent a great number of accidents. Continental’s intensive work on the further development of the right-turn assistant not only increases road safety but is also aimed at preventing false alarms for drivers in the future. THREE GENERATIONS OF SAFETY – FROM RADAR TO CAMERA TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Modern assistance systems, such as those which Continental already offers for original equipment, can warn commercial vehicle drivers when a pedestrian or cyclist is in a blind spot. A radar-based system like this determines the position of road users and calculates the time until a possible collision will occur. The second generation of the right-turn assistant will be even more efficient. It will distinguish dangerous and

non-hazardous situations with greater accuracy, and to achieve this, the radar-based system will be expanded to include cameras. In just a few years, the right-turn assistant will be able to interpret even complex and unpredictable traffic situations accurately and warn the driver. Automatic emergency braking is also technically feasible. Gesture recognition is one of the systems used for this. It uses machine learning, artificial neural networks and imaging techniques to detect an approaching cyclist much earlier than was previously possible. Artificial intelligence also tells the right-turn assistant in which direction a pedestrian or cyclist is likely to move. In line with the Continental slogan, “Make the digital leap!”, the technology company will show how the transport industry is making the leap to digitalization – and at the same time creating an entirely new kind of efficiency potential. The focus will be on the individual challenges faced by urban

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transport, the fleet office and long-distance transport – Continental will showcase a broad variety of solutions addressing these challenges. The technology company’s motto for the 2016 IAA was “Tradition. Trust. Transformation” – and Continental, remaining true to these 3T’s, will be showing visitors that a leap into the digital world can create real opportunities… and lead to more success. In view of the rapidly growing volume of urban traffic, it is becoming increasingly important to reduce emissions and accidents. Continental’s answers to this issue promote sustainable urban transport, helping to bring us closer to “Vision Zero” (zero road deaths). The right-turn assistant is just one of many examples here. On long-haul routes, legislative safety features – in response to the increasing number of serious truck accidents – and stricter emission guidelines are proving to be a challenge for manufacturers.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Piaggio rolls out its 2.5 millionth small commercial vehicle in India Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL), a 100 % subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group ( European leader of the 2wh sector ) and India’s leading manufacturer of small commercial vehicles rolled out its 2.5 millionth small commercial vehicle (SCV). The SCV was rolled-out from the assembly line of Piaggio’s manufacturing facility at Baramati (an Apé Xtra LDX). On this significant occasion, Piaggio also announced an exciting volley of customer centric initiatives, ‘The Super Warranty’ programme and the personal accident insurance programme, to extend extra value to its customers. The company also launched a new range of Apé CNG/ LPG vehicles. Under the industry first ‘Super Warranty’ programme, customers buying Apé Diesel 3w vehicles will get a warranty for 42 months or 1.2 lakh kilometres (whichever

of vehicles will meet the growing demand for commercial vehicle mobility solutions particularly suited to intra-city travel in India, and equipped with the latest-generation eco-friendly engines and state-of-the-art technological features. Ravi Chopra, Chairman (C) along with Diego Graffi, MD & CEO of Piaggio Vehicles Pvt.Ltd. at the roll-out of its 2.5 millionth SCV

is earlier). Customers buying the Ape’ CNG/ LPG/ Petrol 3 w vehicles will be entitled to a warranty of 36 months or 1 lakh kilometres (whichever is earlier) . To add further value to its customers, each Piaggio customer buying a 3wh vehicle from henceforth will be entitled to a personal accident Insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh. Piaggio Vehicle Pvt. Ltd. also unveiled its new series of Apé CNG/LPG fuel vehicles in the three-wheeler category for the

Indian market. The introduction of the new range of CNG/LPG vehicles is a strategic initiative from Piaggio to reinforce its commitment of providing pathbreaking solutions in the last mile transportation segments. The Ape’ Xtra LDX and Apé Auto DX are part of the new watercooled engine technology range. These variants of Apé are the first of its kind in the industry with water-cooled engines and offer best in class performance in terms of power, pick-up, mileage & maintenance. The new range

Ravi Chopra, Chairman of Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. said, “We created the market, grew the market and owned the market in the last mile connectivity segment .The roll out of the 2.5 millionth vehicle is a testimony of the trust shown by the customer in Piaggio‘s products reliability. It is pertinent to note that Piaggio‘s offerings are not just vehicles but are a strong source of creating self-employment which is extremely vital for the growth of the nation. I see many new opportunities for us in the coming future as the Indian market is set to gain a more predominant role in Piaggio ‘s global business.”

Eicher Trucks & Buses now comes with a ‘Nayi Soch’ In keeping with the brand promise of ‘Partnering Prosperity’ and developing a strong connect with the next generation fleet owners and stakeholders, Eicher Trucks & Buses has conceptualised #EicherNayiSoch 360 degree brand initiative. ‘Nayi Soch’ in Hindi language means “A new way of thinking”. Eicher’s new philosophy #EicherNayiSoch is aimed at building a strong emotional connect and strengthen Eicher’s image as a premium and modern brand in the commercial vehicle

industry. Eicher wants to use this platform to showcase this new brand philosophy, and inspire all their stakeholders to embrace this progressive outlook. It is a comprehensive and collaborative multi-stakeholder initiative to highlight select people and situations that are driven by ‘progressive thinking’ and connect with the power of ‘nayi soch’. Today’s trucking industry is rapidly evolving and all the key stakeholders - fleet owners,

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mechanics and drivers want to approach business very differently, inculcating new dimensions and systems to create new levels of efficiency, growth and rewards. Eicher has developed its entire range of next-gen Pro Series of Heavy Duty trucks and innovative support solutions to complement and enhance ‘nayi soch’ in the industry.

Indian growth story, who think differently and have brought a societal change and empowered lives with their ‘Soch’. Through this philosophy, the company aims at forging long-term relationships with not just its customers, but all the relevant stakeholders of the trucking community.

With this brand new initiative, Eicher plans to commemorate the real heroes of the

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Tata International DLT launches India’s first intelligent trailer Tata International DLT has launched India’s first intelligent trailer at the Truck Trailer and Tyre Expo at Gandhinagar. Tata DLT’s Intelligent Trailer is fitted with state-of-the-art technology that provides data required for optimising operation and maintenance of trailer to the operator as well as the fleet manager, thereby reducing the dependence on manual tracking. The Intelligent Trailer will help in reducing the number of road accidents and delivering enhanced operational efficiency to the trailer market. Tata International DLT is India’s largest trailer manufacturer and is considered to be one of the biggest brands for trailers and truck bodies in India. The company is also India’s first AIS 113 manufacturer certified by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), along with having TS-16949-2009 and ISO 9001:2008 certifications for 25 types of its trailers.

and efficiency; and offers significant added value for India’s trailer manufacturers, fleet operators and cargo owners. It leverages the capabilities of trailer anti-lock or electronic braking control systems to provide a platform for up to 40 innovative trailer operating functions.

aggregates from Wabco and York; and better tyre life. The company rolls out 700 trailers each month. Rajeev Batra, Chief Executive Officer, Tata International DLT said, “We are delighted to launch India’s first Intelligent Trailer today. The intelligent flatbed trailer is the first in a series of intelligent trailer types that we are set to launch. These are lightweight trailers customized to give higher payload, thus increasing profitability. As

market leaders, it has always been our endeavor to keep innovation at the forefront of our product offerings and develop revolutionizing products for our customers. We hope to continue to progress towards our vision of being a complete solution provider in Trailers and Transportation Industry with competitive advantage in cost, quality and delivery.” The Intelligent Trailer aims to enhance trailer safety, security

The Intelligent Trailer paves the way for India’s trailer industry to upgrade from basic braking systems to the next level of advanced braking and suspension technologies required for higher levels of vehicle automation. The advanced T-EBS (Trailer Electronic Braking System) optimises stopping distances and controls trailer brake and suspension functions, the system also enables the trailer to connect drivers, fleets and cargo owners to rich sources of onboard systems and operational information.

Established in 2005, Tata International DLT Private Limited is a joint venture between Tata International Ltd and Dutch Lanka Trailer Manufacturers Ltd, Sri Lanka, a Tata Enterprise. Headquartered in Waki, Pune, the company manufactures products under the brand name Tata DLT. The company also has manufacturing facilities in Ajmer, Jamshedpur and Nigoje, Pune. Tata International DLT trailers emerge as the first choice for all the trailer buyers throughout the country mainly due to their low unladen weight; better brake and stability due to quality

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TECHNOLOGY

Ford rolls out exoskeleton wearable technology globally Imagine lifting a bag of flour or a watermelon over your head up to 4,600 times a day as part of your job – that is similar to what some Ford employees do every day as they work to build vehicles around the world. Repetitive motions like those can lead to fatigue and injury for workers, but now Ford is rolling out a new wearable technology globally called EksoVest that helps reduce injury risk in some plant workers after a successful trial in two U.S. plants. Ford employees in 15 plants and seven countries around the world are able to use an EksoVest to help lessen the physical toll that their job takes on their body. Ford partnered with Ekso Bionics to enhance this wearable technology that elevates and supports a

worker’s arms while performing overhead tasks such as reaching up with a power tool to screw bolts to secure the car’s brace – all while standing underneath the vehicle. “Building vehicles is physically a tough job,” said Bruce Hettle, Ford group Vice President, Manufacturing and Labor Affairs. “We care about our employees and are trying to help them do their jobs with the least amount of wear and tear on their bodies possible.” The EksoVest fits workers ranging from 5 feet 2 inches tall to 6 feet 4 inches tall and provides lift assistance from five pounds to 15 pounds per arm. Ford workers say it’s comfortable because it’s lightweight and not bulky, allowing them to move their arms easily. “I don’t want the EksoVest to ever leave,” said Nick Gotts, an original EksoVest operator at Flat Rock Assembly, “Any job that’s overhead, I wouldn’t work without it.” Ford piloted the EksoVest at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. and Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich., during the past year. The feedback from plant operators helped refine the technology before the company rolled it out globally.

“At Ekso, our mission is to augment human capability with wearable technology and robotics that help people rethink current physical limitations and achieve the remarkable,” said Jack Peurach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ekso Bionics, adding that, “Advancing our collaboration with a global leader like Ford, represents a major step forward in achieving our mission as our EksoVest is deployed around the world to enhance the well-being of its work force.” All of Ford’s North American assembly plants have EksoVests and they are being used in plants in Asia Pacific, Europe and South America as well.

Ford improves car making with body tracking technology Technology typically used by the world’s top sport stars to raise their game, or ensure their signature skills are accurately replicated in leading video games, is now being used on an auto assembly line.

Engine Assembly Plant, in Spain, are using a special suit equipped with advanced body tracking technology. The pilot system, created by Ford and the Instituto Biomecánica de Valencia, has involved 70 employees in 21 work areas.

Employees at Ford’s Valencia

68 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

Player motion technology usually records how athletes sprint or turn, enabling sport coaches or game developers to unlock the potential of sport stars in the real world or on screen. Ford is using it to design less physically stressful workstations for enhanced manufacturing

quality. “It’s been proven on the sports field that with motion tracking technology, tiny adjustments to the way you move can have a huge benefit,” said Javier Gisbert, production area manager, Ford Valencia Engine Assembly Plant.

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TECHNOLOGY

“For our employees, changes made to work areas using similar technology can ultimately ensure that, even on a long day, they are able to work comfortably,” Gisbert added. Engineers took inspiration from a suit they saw at a trade fair that demonstrated how robots could replicate human movement and then applied it to their workplace, where production of the new Ford Transit Connect and 2.0-litre EcoBoost Duratec engines began this month.

The skin-tight suit consists of 15 tiny movement tracking light sensors connected to a wireless detection unit. The system tracks how the person moves at work, highlighting head, neck, shoulder and limb movements. Movement is recorded by four specialised motion-tracking cameras – similar to those usually paired with computer game consoles – placed near the worker and captured as a 3D skeletal character animation of the user. Specially trained ergonomists

then use the data to help employees align their posture correctly. Measurements captured by the system, such as an employee’s height or arm length, are used to design workstations, so they better fit employees.

part of Ford’s work – underway since 2003 – to reduce the injury rate for its employees worldwide through the introduction of ergonomics technologies and data-driven process changes.

Ford is now considering further rollout to its other European manufacturing facilities. It is

TOP LEVEL CHANGES IN MOTOWN SHOEB FAROOQ, Head Sales & Dealer Development, TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES INDIA has been promoted to take on role of the Managing Director of the company with immediate effect, after Vimal Sumbly resigned from the company. Sumbly had been with the company for the last five years since its inception. According to a company release, Shoeb Farooq has been promoted to take on this role with immediate effect. Shoeb has been with Triumph Motorcycles India since its inception five years back and has been instrumental in expanding the business in India.

The Board of Directors of ESCORTS LIMITED has appointed NIKHIL NANDA as the Chairman and Managing Director of the company. Nikhil Nanda has succeeded Rajan Nanda, former Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Limited who passed away on August 5, 2018, after a brief illness. Nikhil Nanda is a third-generation entrepreneur and the driving force behind the Group’s diversified business portfolio. He has played a vital role in propelling the company to record performances & disruptive innovations. He was appointed as Managing Director of Escorts in 2013 and he has been a key member of the Board since 1997.

RAKESH SRIVASTAVA, Director Marketing & Sales, HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA, has quit the company and has decided to pursue other interests outside the organization. In a short press release issued by Hyundai Motor India, it was announced that Srivasatava has moved on. He joined the company as Vice President and served for six years.

BAJAJ AUTO has appointed SOUMEN RAY as Joint President (Finance) reporting to Kevin D’Sa, President (Finance). Soumen will work closely with Kevin and will take over as President (Finance) post Kevin’s retirement. Soumen will be part of Bajaj Auto’s senior leadership team. Soumen is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience. He joins from Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. where he was Chief Finance & Strategy Officer. Prior to that, he has worked with notable companies like Hindustan Unilever, ITC and Eveready Industries.

MG MOTOR INDIA, a fully-owned subsidiary of China’s largest carmaker SAIC Motor Corporation, has appointed GAURAV GUPTA as its Chief Commercial Officer - Customer Experience & Marketing (CEM).The company has appointed former AVP and Operations Head at Honda Cars India, RAKESH SIDANA, who brings an experience of over 29 years in the auto industry, as its National Sales Head and RAJESH MEHROTRA as the National Service Head. Rajesh Mehrotra, with a rich experience of over 27 years, was primarily associated with Toyota where he handled the Aftersales operations, apart from Hyundai where he undertook responsibilities as the National Service Head. The company has also appointed DIMPLE MEHTA, a Hyundai-veteran with an experience of 24 years, to head the newly created Customer Care & Customer Delight function.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 | MOTOWN INDIA | 69

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

“Oh! So they call you the Vulcan?”

Photography: Afsar Baig 70 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2018

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RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562