TVS Motor introduces Max4R LX

TVS Motor Company today announced the launch of Max4R LX, a variant of its recently introduced Max4R motorcycle, thereby offering customers the choice of a sturdy and durable commuter that is easy to ride on uneven rural roads. While Max4R LX promises the same comfort and safety as that of the Max4R, it comes with a well cushioned long seat, making commuting with family much more convenient.

Equipped with a four-stroke, air-cooled 109.7cc durable engine thatproduces high torque and enhanced pickup, the Max4R LX is toughest bike in its class. Max4R LX is a powerful blend of hardiness, reliability, high efficiency and low cost, making it a promising motorcycle for rural and semi-urban use. Added features boost the motorcycle’s handling, stability and safety.
“Ever since the launch of Max4R, which has been very well received by our customers, we have received several requests for a commuter version, with similar features. Riding conditions in rural areas demand that a motorcycle has sturdy shock absorbers for smooth ride comfort and reinforced spokes and stronger frame which can take the pressure of constant riding on uneven surfaces.

During the rainy season, road conditions these areas can prove a deterrent to rider safety. In order to counter this, we have retained all the features of the Max4R including the bigger brakes and larger tyres in this variant as well at no extra cost” said B V Sreedhar, Vice President, Business on Wheels, TVS Motor Company.

This motorcycle is also available with the option of a mobile charger, since rural areas often go without electricity for most part of the day. So in an emergency situation, the rider can use his motorcycle to charge his mobile phone. The Max4R LX comes in colours of Black and Red with vibrant graphics.

“We have introduced the Max4R LX for those customers who have both specific utility needs and also require a reliable commuter motorcycle. We have ensured that highest quality standards and maximum customer expectations have been incorporated in this motorcycle” B V Sreedhar added.

Max4R LX is priced at Rs. 39,090/- ex-showroom Maharashtra similar to that of Max4R and is immediately available in all authorised TVS dealerships across the state.

TVS records sales jump of 14% during April 2011

TVS Motors, the leading two-wheeler maker in the Indian market, reported a sales jump of 14 percent in the month of April 2011. The major contributors to this growth include high sales of TVS scooters, and company’s three-wheelers that registered a substantial growth.

The company said in a statement released on Sunday, "The company registered sales of 167,744 units as against 147,172 units in the corresponding month of the previous year." The scooter sales of the company surged 31 percent during the month to 35,074 units as compared to 26,860 units sold in the same month last year. On the on other hand, the motorcycle sales of the company surged 5 percent to 69,573 motorcycles during April 2011.

In the domestic market, the company sold a total of 141,619 units of its two-wheelers in April 2011, as compared to 125,471 units sold in the same month last year. The cumulative exports of the TVS Motors stood at 25,275 units in April 2011 as against 19,657 units dispatched to the foreign markets in April 2010. The exports during the month include 22,564 units of two wheelers and 3,561 three wheelers.

TVS Motor revenues raise 42 % in FY '10 - 11

Strong and complete product portfolio enabled TVS Motor Company to consolidate and achieve its stated guidance numbers of two million two wheelers during the year April 2010 to March 2011. New products, which were introduced during the year, were well received in the market, while current products gained momentum. The company witnessed expansion in its international business with entry in to new countries.

During the year ended March 2011, TVS Motor Company registered a growth of 32 percent in sales with overall two-wheeler sales growing from 15.19 lakh units in the previous financial year to 20.04 lakh units in the year ended March 2011. Motorcycles registered a growth of 31 percent increasing from 6.38 lakh units in the previous year to 8.33 lakh units in the year ended March 2011. Scooters grew at 51 percent from 3.1 lakh units in the previous year to 4.67 lakh units in the current fiscal. Three wheeler sales of the company grew substantially from 14700 units in the year ended March 2010 to 39200 units in the current year. The company's total revenue grew from Rs. 4430.14 crores in the year April to March 2010 to Rs. 6289.31 crores in the year ended March 2011. Profit Before Tax stood at Rs. 250.09 crores compared to Rs. 76.17 crores reported in the previous year. Profit After Tax during the year ended March 2011 stood at Rs.192.58 crores as against Rs. 88.01 crores registered in the corresponding period in 2009-10.

The company’s international business saw a significant increase with sales growing by 36 percent. During the year, the company’s two wheelers entered two more countries Mexico & Brazil. In Brazil, the distributor set up a motorcycle assembly plant that will significantly add to the sales. The company’s 3 wheeler entered Egypt during the year. The company exported 2.39 lakh units in 2010 - 2011 compared to 1.65 lakh units in 2009-10, a growth of 45 percent over the previous year.

New product launches during the year were mainly in the motorcycle segment with the introduction of TVS Max4R, TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS and TVS Sport with electric start. During the year, the company set a precedent, by introducing ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) on a motorcycle for the first time in the history of the Indian two wheeler industry. The company introduced ABS in its premium segment motorcycle TVS Apache RTR 180, giving the bike formidable stopping power and superior braking control that compliments its high performance capability.

During the year under review, the company launched a unique ‘Anywhere, Anytime Service’, for the first time in the three wheeler industry in India, for its three wheeler TVS King. The service has been launched in Chennai and Bangalore and is expected to be rolled out to other major cities during the year ending March 2012. Fully equipped service auto rickshaws with tools, spare parts and trained technicians are positioned at strategic locations to offer “service on call”. In the event of any emergency, all that a customer needs to do is to call a specific number and one of these mobile service auto rickshaws will attend to his problem in a matter of minutes.

PT TVS Motor Company Indonesia has so far sold over 50000 two wheelers. During 2010-11, PT TVS sold around 20,000 units compared to around 15,000 sold in the previous year. The company has three different products in its portfolio and will continue to add more in the future offering a complete product range for Indonesian customers. A super bebek with high tech engine and exciting features is in the pipeline and will be launched during 2011-12. The company is targeting markets outside Indonesia and will also increase its presence in more provinces, thereby increasing its network to 240 outlets by March 2012. This will lead to improved performance in 2011-12.

TVS Motor Company will further consolidate its position during 2011-12. While upgrades of existing models will be introduced across segments, two new two wheelers are expected to be launched during 2011-12. These products will help to significantly increase the market share of the company. While exports will continue to be the focus area of growth, the three wheeler business of the company is also expected to gain further momentum with products now being made available across the country.

Auto exports show 30% growth in 2010-11

Automobile exports from India grew at a robust 29.64 per cent in 2010-11 riding on two-wheelers and commercial vehicles despite a sluggish demand from Europe, one of the main markets for small cars.

According to the figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), total exports from the country stood at 23,39,333 units in last fiscal compared to 18,04,426 units in the year—ago period.

During the fiscal, commercial vehicles and two—wheeler sectors witnessed good growth in exports, SIAM President Mr Pawan Goenka told reporters here.

“The only low was the passenger vehicle segment, mainly because of slow recovery of the European market,” he added.

India’s total passenger vehicle exports during last fiscal were up by a mere 1.64 per cent at 4,53,479 units as against 4,46,145 units in the previous fiscal, SIAM said.

Passenger car exports from India touched 4,47,403 units in FY’11 as against 4,41,709 units in the previous financial year, up 1.29 per cent.

In 2010—11, India’s largest exporter Hyundai Motor saw a decline of 18.41 per cent at 2,33,069 units.

Domestic market leader Maruti Suzuki was a distant second, registering 6.93 per cent fall in overseas sales at 1,36,026 units in 2010—11.

However, exports growth in the last financial year was robust in the two—wheeler category, which registered 35.04 per cent rise at 15,39,590 units as against 11,40,058 units in the previous financial year.

The surge in two-wheeler exports was led by Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company with sales of their motorcycles and scooters in various overseas markets.

Bajaj Auto’s overseas two-wheeler sales rose by 34.11 per cent to 9,72,437 units from 7,25,097 units in 2009—10.

TVS Motor Company registered a rise of 38.52 per cent at 2,29,132 units as against 1,65,414 units in FY10.

Domestic market leader Hero Honda saw its bike exports increase by 36.20 per cent at 1,33,063 units against 97,699 units in the previous fiscal, SIAM said.

Commercial vehicles also registered a very robust growth at 69.51 per cent in exports during last fiscal at 76,297 units, compared to 45,009 units in 2009-10.

While light commercial vehicles saw an export jump of 91.28 per cent at 47,025 units, the medium and heavy commercial vehicles segment’s overseas sales grew 43.31 per cent at 29,272 units in 2010-11, SIAM said.

Three-wheeler exports rose by 55.86 per cent to 2,69,967 units from 1,73,214 units in the previous fiscal, it added.

Schrotter, who is in his fourth year in the 125cc Championship, was very happy with the bike's performance after the race.

TVS Motors’ brand ambassador is Virat Kohli

TVS Motor Company has roped in Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as brand ambassador for its sports range of motorcycles.

“TVS Motor Company has signed on one of India’s brightest and most promising cricketing talents, Virat Kohli, as brand ambassador for its all new TVS Sport motorcycle. Kohli will feature on all advertising and retail material related to TVS Sport,” the Chennai-based TVS Motor Company said in a statement.

“Virat is a perfect fit to the brand. Both are about youth, have bountiful energy, vigour, go-getter attitude and a high degree of flamboyancy. We are confident that this new association will work wonders for the brand,” the TVS Motor Company Marketing-President, Mr H.S. Goindi, said.

The motorcycle manufactured at the company’s Hosur plant boasts new features including dual tone colours. With a LED tail lamp cluster, the bike is equipped with an electric start and an all black handle bar. The bike is priced at Rs 38,600 (ex-showroom Delhi).

On his appointment as brand ambassador, Kohli said: “I am excited about this development and look forward to being part of the brand’s successful growth.’’

Bigger capacity TVS Apache RTR220/250 not occuring in 2011!

Analyzing the words of TVS Motor Limited’s President-Marketing, HS Goindi, speaking to BusinessStandard here is somethingthat Apache RTR fans wouldn’t like to hear. First of all, Mr Goindi says this,

“We are working on two products. It would take us another eight to nine months to launch these motorcycles commercially in the market”.

Now, what that means is TVS Motors isn’t launching any motorcycle in 2011. That effectively puts paid to all the rumors circulating about the larger capacity TVS Apache RTR220 hitting Indian roads in 2011.

This theory further gains credence by the fact that TVS usually does not launch more than once product each year in each segment and the RTR series of motorcycles’ various installments are testament to this.

Having just unveiled the 2011 TVS Apache RTR180 ABS, TVS Motors wouldn’t be in a tearing hurry to launch a bigger Apache in 2011 as servicing the demand for the RTR180 ABS and analyzing the market feedback of the first ABS equipped motorcycle in the country should keep TVS pretty occupied.

Coming back to the higher capacity Apache, which has for long, been due from the TVS stables, fuel injection and ABS technology could most probably make it to the 200cc plus Apache  when it does get launched sometime post 2011.

We hope that TVS Motors brings out it’s 200cc plus Apache RTR at the earliest as the segment is just hotting up with the likes of Honda and Mahindra all set to launch 250cc premium sports motorcycles in the Indian motorcycle market.

TVS aims in launching India’s cheapest motorcycle

The country’s third largest two-wheeler manufacturer, TVS Motors, is mulling a low-priced motorcycle to shore up volumes in the Indian market. The product, when introduced, would be the cheapest motorcycle in the country.

TVS Motors, which currently manufactures mopeds, scooters and motorcycles for the domestic market, is considering a new product to bridge the price gap between the company’s range of mopeds and motorcycles.

“There is room for introducing one more product at the lower end of the motorcycle segment. Our cheapest motorcycle comes for Rs 36,000 while the most expensive moped is tagged Rs 25,000. There might be a new product positioned in this range,” said H S Goindi, president (marketing).

He, however, admitted it would be a challenge to make a profitable product in the segment at such aggressive price points. “The Indian market is demanding, the quality of motorcycles on offer here is very high in terms of finish, engine performance, styling and fuel efficiency. The challenge would be to offer good features at competitive price points,” he said.

Industry experts note the 100-110cc segment account for 60 per cent of the nine million motorcycles sold every year and is the mainstay of companies like Hero Honda and TVS Motors. To launch inexpensive products in the category is, therefore, critical for two-wheeler companies in the country.

Honda Motor Corporation (HMC), which too is working on a low-cost bike priced at around $ 600 for sale in emerging economies, has decided against introducing the product in the Indian market. Shinji Aoyama, president and chief executive officer, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) had earlier said, “The low-cost bike is not suited for the current requirements in the market here. At present, we are not considering launching the product in India.”

The motorcycle is being developed at the company’s research and development centre in China, mainly for markets in Africa.

TVS Motors, at present, is working on developing two new motorcycles which are likely to hit the Indian roads in the course of 2011-12. Goindi informed, “We are working on two products. It would take us another eight to nine months to launch these motorcycles commercially in the market.” He, however, declined to share details about the segments which the products would be launched in.

Additionally, the company is also firming plans to re-launch products in the electric scooters segment. TVS Motors has developed an electric variant of Scooty Teenz and a new scooter, which are being tested in 50 towns across the country.

Depending on the feedback received a commercial launch would be made in the coming financial year.

TVS Motors, which is the third largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, has sold 1.6 million units in the domestic market between April and February this financial year, registering a growth of 31 per cent as compared to the corresponding period the previous year.