Tuesday, December 25, 2007

In a first, TVS fits ABS in 2-wheelers

NEW DELHI: The Chennai-based TVS Motors is all set to become the first global company to launch anti-lock brake system (ABS) on its two wheelers.

ABS, often referred as a ‘sure braking system’ for automobiles, is a high-tech feature and is currently available in all premium four wheelers and commercial vehicles across the globe. It is gaining immense popularity in India and comes as a standard fitment in all premium cars and high-end trucks and buses. Banking on the rich rewards from this ‘in-demand’ safety feature, TVS is currently testing the indigenously developed ABS technology on its bikes and scooters to reduce multiple vehicle and the run-of-road crashes.

A senior executive of TVS Motors confirmed that the technology in the final stages of development and is undergoing testing at its Hosur facility. “ABS is part of the 30 different technologies we are developing for our two -wheeler range. The ABS will help in avoiding skidding of two-wheelers and allow sure stopping on wet and slippery roads and help in reducing fatalities on two wheelers,” the executive said.

ABS technology reduces chances of crashing, and the severity of impact. It significantly reduces the chances of a skid and subsequent loss of control by the driver on the vehicle. On slippery surfaces it leads better control of the vehicle rather than go into a skid as it instantly locks the multiple wheels of the vehicle.

Working on the same concept, the ABS is likely to be introduced initially on yet to be launched high powered bikes of TVS in the premium 200 cc segment. The new technology is expected to jack up the prices of these by 7% to 8%. It is an expensive technology and the company is trying to economise it by bringing in high localisation.

We are working on a proven technology that is available on several super bikes (500 cc and above) which is currently very expensive and unviable for the price-sensitive Indian market. To control costs an indigenous model is on the way,” company sources said.

According to sources, TVS Motors has reportedly applied for a patent on this technology. As part of its 30 different technologies project, which are currently underway, TVS is also developing a hybrid and a CNG fired two wheeler, which will be showcased at the Auto Expo in January.

Source: The Economic Times

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Hero Honda drives into used-bike market

NEW DELHI: Hero Honda, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world, has forayed into the used two-wheeler trading business under the ‘Hero Honda SURE!’ brand.

Taking a cue from the passenger car market leader, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), which spearheaded the used-vehicle business through Maruti True Value, Hero Honda has started SURE! at its 40 dealerships across India on a pilot basis. Maruti has sold around 90,000 cars through True Value, which was 16% of its total sales last year.

Hero Honda SURE! is looking at the vast trading potential to generate new vehicle sales from the 7 crore stock of two wheelers on Indian road. Hero Honda, which sells every second two wheeler in the market is the first India company to launch this service in the two wheeler space.

A senior Hero Honda executive confirmed that the company had launched the new marketing initiative and said, “It’s a pilot project, which has been started at some dealerships. We are experimenting with various models at present so as to evolve a right structure for this business.”

As part of its strategy to remain India’s top two wheeler company, it has introduced a 110-check point quality parameter to assess the condition of used two-wheelers to develop SURE! as a reliable place to buy, sell and exchange pre-owned two-wheelers in India.

Hero Honda engineers re-condition these used vehicles with genuine spare parts and the company also offers warranty on different vehicles and free service benefits. Convenient and easy finance options for both new and used two wheelers are also available at its different dealerships.

The company refused to share the actual sales it has generated from Hero Honda SURE!, but sources at the dealership level say that the scheme is generating huge business and has been successful in luring customers to go in for new two wheeler purchases rather than a used one. Hero Honda SURE! dealers are also offering special price deals on buying new bikes and scooters.

Other major two wheeler players like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors do not offer any such facility at present. Exchange facility for two wheelers is also available at the used car outlets like True Value and Hyundai Motor India’s Advantage, where the two-wheeler owners are given the option to upgrade from scooter or a bike to a new car.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

HC restrains TVS from selling recently-launched bike Flame

CHENNAI: The legal tussle between two-wheeler giants Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company took a new twist on Wednesday, with the Madras High Court turning the heat on the latter’s Flame bike.

On Wednesday, the court restrained TVS from booking, distributing or selling the recently-launched Flame, following a patent infringement suit filed by Bajaj Auto.

The case, which came up for hearing before Justice R Banumathi, has been adjourned till January 3.

Apart from maintaining status quo, the court has also directed TVS to maintain accounts in respect of orders already booked. The copy of the order is expected to be issued on Thursday.

At Wednesday’s hearing, TVS tried to impress on the court not to issue any interim order as it wants to file a counter with respect to the case. However, for the moment, its rival appears to hold sway.

AA Mohan of Mohan Associates and Dhruv from Mumbai are the legal counsels for Bajaj Auto while TVS is represented by Chennai-based HSB Associates senior counsel AL Somayaji.

TVS has already filed a suit under the Indian Patents Act in the Madras High Court to counter Bajaj’s claims of patent violation. The case is to come up for hearing next month. In the absence of a court order, TVS had launched its new 125-cc offering on December 13.

The country’s third-largest motorcycle manufacturer, after Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto, had expected the new product to boost its monthly sales by 20,000 units, once the national rollout was completed in January. Flame was aimed at taking on Bajaj’s XCD 125, launched in September. Buoyed by strong demand, Bajaj Auto has apparently sold 63,000 units of XCD 125 in September and October and is set to enhance this figure to 75,000 units.

Bajaj Auto responded to the launch of Flame by filing a suit on December 17, seeking to restrain TVS from manufacturing, selling or distributing vehicles protected by patent number 195904.

Bajaj Auto claims that it has the patent credit for the digital twin spark ignition (DTSi) technology, which uses two spark plugs for better fuel-efficiency and lower emissions. It found Flame’s technology specifications to be infringing on its patent.

It all started in September this year, when Bajaj Auto alleged that TVS had infringed on its DTSi patent, an intellectual property used in most Bajaj bikes. The initial duel remained verbal till TVS took the war to courts in October. It filed a Rs 250-crore defamation suit against Bajaj Auto in the Bombay High Court and another one in the Madras High Court under the patent law. Bajaj Auto was recently served papers by the court in the first case.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

Monday, December 17, 2007

TVS plans 180cc & 200cc apache and neo step thru

TVS apache 180cc & 200cc and neo step thru

TVS rolled out step thru through its indonesian subsidiary now plans to test it on Indian roads. TVS is also planning few upgrades of the Apache (180 and 200 cc). In 2008 TVS also plans a hi powered scooty. Next year TVS will focus on new segments that falls in the low and middle end of StaR, upper-end of Flame and the Scooty.

Flame by December end..

TVS wanted to launch the Flame in November but due to legal issues and diversion of engineering expertise to legal work, it will now be launched in December end. The three-wheeler will also debut in December end while the electric Scooty will come in January.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

TVS Apache RTR 160 - Perfomance Kit

TVS Apache RTR Efi 160 Specifications:

Engine
Displacement: 159.7cc
Engine: Fuel injected 4-stroke single cylinder
Max. Power: 11.54kw @ 8500 ( 15.7bhp @ 8500 )
Max. Torque: 13.1 Nm @ 6500
Gear Box: 5 Speed constant mesh
Clutch: Multi-Plate Wet Type
Bore x stroke (mm): 62x 52.9
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic Fuel injection

Wheels & Tyre
Wheel Type: Diecast Alloy
Tyre Front: 90 x 90 - 17
Rear: 100 X 80 - 18

Brakes
Brake Front: Dia 270mm disc brake, petal type
Brake Rear: Drum 130mm dia, Optional Rear Disk brake

Suspension
Front: Telescopic Hydraulic fork
Rear: Mono tube 5 step adjustable Canister - Gas filled shock absorbers

Electricals
Head lamp: 12V 35/35W Halogen HS1, Clear lens with MFR
Tail lamp: 12V 0.5 W. LED-Twin triangle with prism on lens
Turn signal lamp: 12V 10W
Battery type & capacity: 12V, 9.0 Ah
Ignition system: High energy IDI System

Dimensions
Height: 1100 mm
Length: 2020 mm
Width: 730 mm
Wheelbase: 1300 mm
Ground Clearance: 180mm
Kerb weight: 136 kgs
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.0 Litre

Performance
Max speed 120 kph (company claimed)

Expected Price
Rs 3500-4500 more than the Carb version
68 k

Apache RTR 160 eFI

TVS Motor Company is for the first time offering Electronic Fuel Injection technology in the 160cc category. The new technology, which consists of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) made up of sensors, fuel pump and injector. ECU receives the data from sensors, processes them and delivers optimum fuel and ignition timing. The Electronic Fuel Injection technology offers better engine smoothness, faster throttle response, lower emissions, good cold start and recovery, better idle stability, good drivability, better fuel economy and performance consistency at various altitudes and environments. The Apache RTR EFI also offers instantaneous response throughout the rev range. Another first time offering in this segment would be the rear disc brake facility.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Pick the Best 250 cc bike - pulsar, fazer and taurus

As you all know day by day people giving up mass transit and opting to buy their own vehicle which gradually made the automobile industry hot. Nowadays we can experience an increase in vehicles as well as traffic but without caring about the future the automobile industry is firing up the market with brand new models and features that inspires customers to buy their own vehicle.

Born out of this competition, came up these three beasts that burn up the Indian roads. They are none other than TVS Taurus Fiero f3, Bajaj Pulsar 250cc and Yamaha Fazer 250. Economic bike drivers please stay away from this post and keep worrying about your petrol consumptions while young energetic drivers out there I am sure these bikes will quench your test. The main catch about these bikes are their 250 Cubic capacities but they inherit different design and performance.

Hope everyone will eagerly be waiting for launch of these vehicles in India but until then I want your personal suggestion of which bike outta 3 will rock?

So go ahead and post your comments for which out of these three bikes goanna rock the Indian roads and why?

The nominations are

TVS Taurus Fiero F3

Bajaj Pulsar 250 cc

Yamaha Fazer 250

I am eagerly waiting for your comments on it…

Monday, November 26, 2007

Pictures of the new TVS APACHE RTR EFi 160

Last year at the Pulsar DTSI 200 along with Pulsar 220 DTSFI was unveiled at the Autocar 2006 show. Guess what was on display this year, The Apache RTR 160 eFI. Here are the first hand picture of the new TVS Apache RTR 160 e-FI (electronic Fuel Injected version) from the Speed Autocar performance show 2007.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Bajaj likely to acquire Triumph

A formal announcement of a possible brand acquisition is likely during Auto Expo, the annual automotive show hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in the Capital in early 2008. Bajaj Auto is in the fray to buy Triumph, a premium bike maker in the UK.

"Bigger bikes will need to be developed and we understand that most of this market for bigger bikes will be outside the country. And therefore, an acquisition of a recognised brand makes sense. It is likely to be a complete takeover or a majority stake buyout," said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto.

A big-ticket European brand like Triumph will not only put Bajaj products in the premium lifestyle range in India, but also help it expand to developed markets where such bikes tend to dominate. Mr Bajaj said the decision not to pursue Ducati was partly influenced by the fact that the company was in loss-making mode. “I don’t think it makes business sense to buy a struggling brand. While the brand may have the recognition, it is difficult to work around other problems,” he explained.

The acquisition of a marquee brand will also shape Bajaj's future product portfolio. Broadly, the plan is to keep the Bajaj brand focused on the 125-600-cc segment.

Bajaj Auto's thrust on exports is likely to continue, and the company has no plans to establish a manufacturing base abroad or produce bikes catering particularly to export markets. "A BMW does not change a single spring when it is sold in other export markets, and that's the power of the product. I do not think it is profitable to design products for key export markets," said Mr Bajaj.

I hope this acquisition goes through successfully, keeping my fingers crossed.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

Hero Honda Hunk 150cc Pictures + Specification

The rear looks like apache, silencer borrowed from Karizma, headlight resemble the Achiever and overall looks much better than CBZ xtreme. Also the rumor says that the Hunk Will actually replace CBZ extreme and the Cbz extreme would now being discontinued. The hunk will have the same engine as that of the CBZ extreme pumping out same power.

Hero Honda Hunk 150cc finally launched at 55,000

The country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero Honda on Wednesday launched its 150cc bike 'Hunk' at a starting price of Rs 55,000 (at ex-showroom Delhi).

The company has launched two variants of the mobike kick-start and self-start. While kick-star would be available at Rs 55,000, the company would charge a premium of Rs 2,000 for the self-start model which is priced at Rs 57,000.

The company currently sells four models in the premium segment (150 cc+) - Hunk, Achiever, CBZ Extreme and Karizma.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes

Hero Honda is all set to launch Hunk

It's only a hunk that can woo away the domestic motorcycle market from its slump. And Hero Honda Motors might just have the right ace up its sleeve this time. The country’s largest bike maker is planning to launch its premium motorcycle, the Hunk shortly. Not surprisingly this comes close on the heels of its strongest competitor Bajaj Auto’s launch of the 200 cc Avenger.

A source close to the company revealed: "The Hunk is likely to have a 150 cc engine. In terms of design it is a fantastic looking bike." The new bike will probably sport an all black 156 cc engine.

Other than a torquier mill, the Hunk is touted to have Honda CBR 125 type headlamps, twin discs, split seats and an analog yellow speedo. But when contacted this is all a Hero Honda spokesperson said: "We don’t comment on future launches."

According to industry sources, there are two theories as to why Hero Honda (HH) would be launching the Hunk. Firstly, the company would want to have a presence in the premium bike segment (125cc and above) because the traffic is slowly moving in that direction.

Though the total motorcycle market has slipped by 15.2% this quarter, the premium segment has been witnessing a steady growth for quite some time now. Even this time, big bikes has have zipped ahead by almost 11%.

And also, since this launch comes just after the entry of Bajaj Auto’s much-hyped 125cc Exceed. Compared to other bikes Bajaj claims that the Exceed gives the customer better value for money in terms of power and efficiency, but at a much lower price.

Even TVS Motor’s launch of the next-gen 125 cc Flame reveals a deliberate move by bike makers in this direction.
Therefore, the Hunk might be Hero Honda’s trump card to lure away customers from its rivals by offering a bigger capacity bike at the price of a 125 cc.

To achieve this, initially the company might have to take a hit on its bottom line until larger volumes allow it to break even. But if this is the case it will be a masterstroke that can turn market dynamics on its head.

Secondly, the Hunk could also be used to gain market share in the 150 cc segment, which is the stronghold of bikes such as the Bajaj Pulsar. This move of course is not without the threat of cannibalisation, since HH already has its CBZ Extreme in the same category. Pricing is the key. But will HH take the risk? We have to wait and watch.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Super bikes set to storm Indian roads

The next big war in the motorcycle segment is likely to happen in the high-end bike segment. Almost all bike makers are gearing up with a line-up for the super bike segment making the most of the new regulations for bikes of 800 cc and above.

Suzuki Motorcycles India (SMIPL) is in the process of getting government approvals for this segment. SMIPL vice-president (marketing) Atul Gupta said: “We are setting up three parallel process simultaneously to foray into the big bike segments. One is getting the necessary approvals.

Second, training our staff to handle the servicing aspect and third, identifying the cities where we getting large number of enquiries.” Mr Gupta refused to reveal the names of the bikes that are likely to be imported next year. However, auto industry sources believe the company is looking at importing Hayabusa and its GSX range of super sport bikes which could include GSX-1000.

Japanese motorcycle maker Yamaha India has already got its service and dealership position in place and likely to import the first set of its super bikes by November. Yamaha Motor India managing director and CEO Tomotaka Ishikawa has already confirmed plans to bring in R1 and R6.

Arch rival Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India has also said that they are keen on getting the high-end bikes and would not keep out of the battle heating up in this segment. Sources believe that the company is looking at importing its cult bikes CBR 1000 and GLX 1800.

A senior marketing official with a two-wheeler maker said, “The market potential for the big bikes might be small as of now. But no two-wheeler maker can ignore the fact that almost every player will have a line-up ready for this segment. Especially the international bike makers will just have to pick and choose and homologate bikes from their international portfolio.”

Home grown Bajaj Auto’s Rajiv Bajaj in a recent press meet has confirmed that he sees potential in the premium bike segment. In fact, Bajaj is close to finalising its partnership with its long time technical partner Kawasaki to enter the above 500 cc bike segment. Even Royal Enfield is building up a 500 cc engine to be strapped on its bikes.

Via: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Stage II Performance Kit

Exciting sound, extreme appearance combined with improved torque.

FOR RACING/TRACK USE ONLY!

Carbon Muffler Heat Shield

Left & right carbon fiber heat shield set for slip-on and full exhaust kit. Required to fit stage I, II or III

Single Seat Kit

Sporty mono seat complete with carbon tail cover. Should be combined with Carbon Muffler Heat Shields and Muffler Kit. Passenger seating not possible.

Stage 1 Slip On Muffler Kit

Stage I Slip On Muffler Kit

Homologated titanium sheathed muffler set produced by Akraprovič.

Muffler Ring Stage I

Enables dual seat in combination with slip-on mufflers.

Carbon Muffler Heat Shield

Left & right carbon fiber heat shield set for slip-on and full exhaust kit. Required to fit stage I, II or III

Single Seat Kit

Sporty mono seat complete with carbon tail cover. Should be combined with Carbon Muffler Heat Shields and Muffler Kit. Passenger seating not possible.