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Yes, electric mobility is here to stay and we must adapt

No, it’s not a proper Royal Enfield without the sound and feel

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This story came to light when one of our readers shared with us that he had been contacted by Simple Energy to cancel his pre-booking. Since this came as a phone call, the customer was uncertain whether it was a scam, so he wrote an email to the company’s customer care helpline to confirm if this indeed was the case. This was the response he received from Simple Energy’s customer care email id: 

“Our team is attempting to reach all our customers via telephone. Meanwhile, our intention is to create awareness among our customers about the recent fraudulent happening forging Simpleenergy Private Limited. This affects our brand value as customers believe these imposters and lose their hard-earned money. Hence, we are taking this step of initiating the refund to all our customers.

We reached out to Simple Energy for a statement and this is what the company shared with us:

“It has come to our attention that certain customers have received emails urging them to cancel their pre-bookings with Simple Energy. We understand the concern and wish to clarify the situation to alleviate any doubts or uncertainties. These emails were specifically sent to select customers residing in cities where fraudulent activities were detected, posing a potential risk to our company’s reputation. This proactive measure was taken to safeguard our customers and offer them the option of a refund, should they wish to reconsider their pre-bookings.”

We are also given to understand that the customer care service is handled by an external agency and that this has led to some miscommunication. Simple tells us that this email has not been sent to all pre-booking customers, despite what was mentioned in the email. 

Nevertheless, the rationale mentioned by Simple does leave some questions. For one, it does not explain why the customer who shared this with us received this notification as he had made his booking in August 2021, well before any fraudulent activities may have begun. Beyond that, it’s also strange to see any company asking its customers to take their money back as a safeguard against potential fraudulent activities – regardless of whether those customers have actually been a victim of said fraud. 

It does come across that there is another possibility here – perhaps the company is looking to ease the load of back orders as it navigates through the journey of setting up and stabilising its production capabilities. This theory is reinforced by what is mentioned further down in Simple Energy customer care email sent to the customer:  

“Once we have an experience center in your city, you will be the first priority customer as per the sequence of your pre-book to be reached for delivery of Simple One. In the meantime, please stay tuned to our social media platforms for more updates and also on our website.”   

After all, Simple Energy’s sales numbers have trickled down to a halt in the last few months. 

Back in May 2023, Simple stated that deliveries would begin in June in Bengaluru, with other cities to follow soon. The company also stated at that point that it had a target of setting up ‘140 to 150’ showrooms in India over the next 8 to 10 months. However, as in the past, things haven’t gone as promised and according to government registration data, Simple Energy has delivered less than 40 scooters to date.

To be precise, the company sold 10 scooters in June, 14 in July and 13 in August. Since then, the company has not delivered any scooters, as of 23 November 2023. We asked Simple about this as well and this is what we were told:

“Regarding zero deliveries, it’s important to note that this was attributed to a comprehensive pilot program aimed at evaluating real-world scenarios and potential user-related challenges. Such assessments are a standard practice to ensure the utmost quality and customer satisfaction.

We are pleased to inform you that following the successful conclusion of our assessment phase, Simple Energy is now positioned favourably. As a result, we are diligently planning to scale up our operations. Anticipate a significant surge in scooter deliveries by the end of November or early December, signifying our commitment to meeting your expectations.”

Have you made a pre-booking for a Simple Energy electric scooter and if so, have you received similar communication from the company? Do let us know if that is the case. 

Confirming our previous reports, Ather Energy CEO and co-founder Tarun Mehta has now officially confirmed the launch of two new electric scooters in 2024 via a social media post. One will be a new family-oriented electric scooter aimed to address a few issues with the existing 450 series that’s focused on performance; the other will be an evolution of the existing 450X with improved performance and more features.

1. New family-oriented scooter will have affordable pricing
2. Existing 450X to gain more performance and features
3. Both models confirmed for launch in 2024

New family-oriented Ather scooter: what to expect?

The current 450S and 450X are sporty, fun-to-ride scooters, but their compact size doesn’t quite bode well for practicality. And that’s exactly what Ather will be looking to address with the new scooter, possibly with a larger and wider seat, a more spacious floorboard and larger boot space to better suit the needs of an urban commuter.

The scooter may be tuned for greater range and gentler performance in order to better suit its use case. It’ll also likely be priced below the existing 450 range in order to make it accessible to a wider audience.

“It’s designed with your entire family in mind, offering comfort, ample size, and a whole lot more – all wrapped up in one fantastic package. We’re ensuring it’s affordable, making the Ather family experience accessible to more people,” said Mehta.

New Ather 450 with improved performance

Mehta calls this scooter an “evolution” of the existing 450 series, which is already one of the quickest accelerating (from 0-40kph) scooters in the country with a top speed of 90kph. Perhaps the new model could bring in a small increment in acceleration and push the top speed to 100kph. A slightly updated design with new features will likely also be part of the package. However, this will be accompanied by a premium over the existing range, but one that Mehta says will be justifiable.

“This new iteration is set to be the absolute pinnacle of refined performance. It will have best-in-class features that will redefine your riding experience. We’re launching in early 2024, and yes, it comes with a premium price tag, but trust me, it’s worth every bit,” he added.

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Honda CB350 launched at Rs 2 lakh, rivals RE Classic 350

Ather’s iQube rival spied testing in Bengaluru

Toyota has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Karnataka to set up a third manufacturing plant in India, which would increase its production capacity by 1 lakh units per annum. The upcoming plant will also be situated at Bidadi near Bangalore – near the existing two –and will attract an investment of around Rs 3,300 crores. It will also generate about 2,000 new jobs.

1. Toyota to invest around Rs 3,300 crore for new plant
2. Will be the production base of an all-new three-row SUV
3. To have a production capacity of 1 lakh units per annum

Toyota’s existing plants at Bidadi have a combined output of about 4 lakh units per annum, and this new plant – operational by 2026 – will add about 30 percent to Toyota’s production capacity. This announcement comes on the back of the brand completing 25 years in India.

This new plant will be the primary production base for an upcoming three-row SUV, which, as we have reported previously, will be a longer version of the Corolla Cross sold overseas. It’s codenamed the 340D and Toyota is expected to produce 60,000 units annually, with a launch likely by 2026.

Toyota three-row SUV to roll out from new plant

The Corolla Cross-based SUV for India will be underpinned by Toyota’s TNGA-C platform, which is also used by the Innova Hycross. Globally, the Corolla Cross has a wheelbase of 2,640mm, but the India-spec version will likely be lengthened by about 150mm, enough to add a third row of seats.

Not much is known on the styling front, but Toyota could choose to differentiate it from the Corolla Cross with a new nose and new soft parts, including a plastic bumper, grille and headlights. Given the additional length, it will also have a completely new rear end. The upcoming 340D SUV, however, will not be specific to India, and is likely to be exported to other markets as well, although it’s not known if it will spawn a Maruti derivative.

Future IMV 0 platform-based models headed to India  

At the Japan Mobility Show that concluded last month, Toyota showcased the new IMV 0 ladder-frame platform, a low-cost version of the IMV platform that underpins the Innova Crysta and Fortuner. This platform will spawn more affordable alternatives of vehicles like the Hilux pickup truck and Fortuner SUV and is India-bound. It, however, remains to be seen which plant it will be produced in.

Also See:

Toyota Innova Hycross waiting period stretches to one year

Toyota Innova Hycross GX Limited Edition priced at Rs 20.07 lakh

A thrilling MotoGP race under the floodlights in Qatar saw an ebullient Fabio Di Giannantonio take his first-ever MotoGP victory. Rounding out an all-Italian podium were Ducati Lenovo’s Francesco Bagnaia, who increased his championship lead, and Mooney VR46 Racing’s Luca Marini, who is strongly tipped to default to Repsol Honda next year.

1. Martin struggles to 10th place, blames tyre issue
2. Bagnaia’s championship lead grows to 21 points
3. 37 points up for grabs at the final round in Valencia

Di Giannantonio-Bagnaia battle nearly ends in tears

Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia only managed fifth place in qualifying, but rocketed off the line to get the holeshot into turn one. Behind him, three other Ducatis jostled for the position – Marini and the Gresini racing pair of Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez. Di Giannantonio emerged as the quickest of the chasers, and found himself glued to Bagnaia’s rear tyre for much of the race.

Had he been given a contract renewal for next year, Di Giannantonio may well have refrained from attacking Ducati’s star rider and championship hopeful. But seeing as how he’s currently unemployed for next year, the outgoing Gresini rider made a brave move to get past Bagnaia on lap 19. What followed was a hair-raising moment as Bagnaia got sucked into Di Giannantonio’s slip-stream braking from 350kph into turn one. The championship leader nearly ran into the back of his countryman, only narrowly avoiding contact, and running wide into the tarmac run-off area. Fortunately, with a 5-second gap behind him, Bagnaia was able to rejoin in second place, where he finished the race. 

Jorge Martin sees championship hopes fade away

After a successful outing in Saturday’s Tissot Sprint sprint where he halved his points deficit to championship leader Francesco Bagnaia, Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin had a disastrous Qatar GP on Sunday, only managing 10th place. The Spaniard blamed his poor performance on a tyre issue – he had massive wheelspin at the race start, and seemed to struggle for rear grip throughout the GP, even looking back at his rear tyre immediately after crossing the chequered flag. The Ducati man was vocal about the issue in his post-race debriefs, saying that the tyre felt “like a stone” from the start, and he felt like the championship had been “stolen” from him.

With his 10th place finish giving him just 6 points, and Bagnaia picking up 20 points for his second place finish, the gap at the top of the standings grows to 21 points, with 37 points still up for grabs at the final round in Valencia this weekend. After Sunday’s result, Bagnaia has one hand already on the championship trophy – the Italian can afford to finish both races (the sprint and the main race) in fifth place and still be assured the championship victory. If this were to happen with Martin winning both races, the pair would end up equal on points, with the title going to Bagnaia by virtue of his greater number of race wins over the season.

Also See:

Thai MotoGP: Martin wins to slash Bagnaia’s title lead

Rajiv Sethu crowned 2023 INMRC champion

The Las Vegas GP may have gotten off to a rocky start, but the venue delivered plenty of action on race day. Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez all led the race at some point, but Verstappen ended up taking his 18th win of the season. And it was a hard-fought win, with Verstappen overcoming a penalty, wing damage and overtaking his rivals along the way.

1. Vertsappen wins, 2.070secs from Leclerc
2. Perez goes from P11 to P3

Verstappen wins Las Vegas GP thriller

Verstappen took the lead at the start, but was handed a five-second time penalty for forcing Leclerc off track. Leclerc then passed Verstappen on Lap 16, just before the Red Bull driver headed into the pits to serve his penalty.

While trying to claw his way back into the lead, Verstappen collided with George Russell, with both cars picking up some damage in the process. Russell was given a five-second time penalty for the incident.

Down the order, Sergio Perez was gaining ground, having pitted on the opening lap after contact with Valtteri Bottas. The Safety Car – brought out to clean up the debris on track following the Verstappen/Russell clash – gave Perez the perfect opportunity. The Mexican took his final pitstop and emerged just behind Leclerc. He briefly even took the lead, but Leclerc repassed him a few laps later.

All of this allowed Verstappen to catch up and he cleared both Perez and Leclerc to take victory. With this, the Red Bull driver now equals Sebastian Vettel’s tally of F1 wins. “It was a tough one,” Verstappen admitted.

“I tried to go for it [with Leclerc] at the start. I think we both braked quite late, then I just ran out of grip and we ended up a bit wide, so the stewards gave me a penalty for that. Of course, that put us a little bit on the backfoot, I had to pass quite a few cars, then the Safety Car again. At the point already there was a lot going on in the race,”

“Once we had the message to the end we could go flat-out. You could clearly see with the DRS around here it was very powerful, so even when you would take the lead, if the guy behind would stay in the DRS, he would still have an opportunity to come back at you. I think it created quite a lot of good racing here today, so it was definitely a lot of fun.”

Leclerc defeats Perez for P2

Leclerc locked up into Turn 14, handing P2 to Sergio Perez. But the Ferrari driver remained within DRS range and pulled off a move on the very last lap, into the Turn 14 braking zone, to reclaim P2.

Russell finished P4 on track, but his penalty dropped him to eighth place. This handed P4 to Esteban Ocon. Lance Stroll was fifth, followed by Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri completed the top 10.

There’s just one more F1 race to go this year, with Abu Dhabi set to host the finale on November 24-25.

2023 Las Vegas GP results

Also see:

Verstappen wins Brazil GP; Alonso bags photo finish P3

After a long wait, the MTHL will be thrown open to the public from December 25, 2023.

Published On Nov 17, 2023 06:06:00 PM

Anyone who travels from South and Central Mumbai to Navi Mumbai should be rejoicing from December 25, 2023 as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) road opens to the public. This important and rather impressive feat of engineering should prove a boon to road users in the Island City and some of its suburbs. We’ve compiled some pertinent and fun facts about the MTHL to gauge just how beneficial it will be. 

How long is it?

The total length of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is 21.8km, and 16.5km of that goes over the Thane Creek, making it India’s longest sea bridge. To put that into perspective, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link spans just 5.6km, stretching over Mahim Bay.

There will be around 5.5km of highways on land, which will include interchanges to facilitate connections to the Eastern Freeway in Sewri, Mumbai and Chirle in Navi Mumbai. While most of the MTHL is made of concrete, there is a 4.7km steel span in the middle to allow for ships to pass underneath.

The MTHL will have six lanes – three east-bound and three west-bound – along with an emergency lane on both sides.

How fast can you go?

Commuters will be able to traverse the 21.8km length quite quickly as the MMRDA has assigned a speed limit of 100kph on the highway. In addition, the usual bunch up at toll plazas should be mitigated somewhat by an Open Road Tolling (ORT) system. Keep about Rs 200 available on your FASTag, as the toll amount for a private car should be in that region. The MMRDA has stated that tolls would be collected until 2045.

An India-first

For the first time in India, Orthotropic Steel Decks (OSDs) – seven of them – have been used to build a bridge. An OSD is a fabricated deck that consists of a structural steel deck plate stiffened either longitudinally or transversely, or in both directions, which increases load carrying capacities. The spans of the decks range between 90m and 180m.

Safety and security

There are a number of factors that contrinute to safety, and not just for vehicles on the road. One is that the Rs 17,843 crore project will have sound barriers, mufflers and ecologically sensitive lighting for large sections to protect the movement of flamingos and migratory birds. In addition, there will also be vision barriers – as some parts of the MTHL will go past the sensitive area of BARC – along with Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) such as the 130 speed cameras, CCTV cameras, variable message signs (VMS), and more.

Beyond Transport

A 5.6km-long temporary access bridge had been built to transport equipment and workers for construction, but instead of wasting money demolishing it, the MMRDA announced that it would convert the road into a bird-watching platform.

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Mumbai Coastal Road drive in a Tata Nexon EV – video

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The Indian two-wheeler market, which posted a flattish sale in the 2022 festive season, is back to a strong double-digit growth inching closer to the previous peak on the back of a growing economy and initial signs of revival at the bottom end of the pyramid. Close to 2.5 million to 3 million units are estimated to have been retailed between Navratri and the end of Diwali season.

The leading players Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company – three of the top four two-wheeler makers – claim to have grown by double digits in the first half of this season, starting from Onam in August till Navratri in October and are estimated to have sustained the strong momentum of Navratri and Dussehra into Dhanteras and Diwali, concluding the season with Bhaidooj.

Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler maker, had already guided for strong double-digit growth during the analyst conference call. Niranjan Gupta, CEO of Hero MotoCorp, had said the demand momentum has been very strong both from rural and urban markets. “The festive season has started off very well and overall, we do expect momentum building as we move forward. So far, we have grown by 15 percent and we expect that the market will grow in double digits this season,” Gupta said.

Last festive season, Hero MotoCorp had sold over 1.2 million vehicles between Navratri to Diwali, but this time around, assuming a minimum growth of 15 percent guided by the company, it is likely to have retailed about 1.3 million to 1.4 million.

And both its key Indian rivals – Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company – have already outperformed the market in the first half of the season from Onam to Dussehra and both companies had expressed confidence in posting a double-digit growth this season. “We are expecting 12-15 percent industry growth during the festive season as compared to a similar period last year. Our recently launched Pulsar N150 is doing well, and we expect to outpace the industry growth on the back of our strong performance in the 125cc plus segment,” Rakesh Sharma, executive director of Bajaj Auto, told our sister publication Autocar Professional during a quarterly media conference call.

This growth can be attributed to a key segment of entry two-wheeler buyers coming back. Hero MotoCorp has already witnessed a growth in its 100-110cc segment led by the new launches and TVS Motor Company too believes that the rural market is coming back and it will help the overall market.

Federation of Automotive Dealers Association (FADA) in its review of the Navratri-Dussehra season had said that the two-wheeler category saw several positive trends, buoyed by festive cheer and stronger rural demand. Enhanced availability of models, especially those in high demand from the previous year, along with better financial schemes, contributed to a solid market momentum.

“States going into elections also injected optimism into the market, leading to an increase in government spending and improved liquidity,” FADA said in its statement. “Despite a shift in festival dates with Diwali moving to November, the anticipation of the festive season stimulated purchase intent and dealers reported good stock preparation and robust ground efforts that led to an uptick in sales figures, showcasing a resilient and adaptive market.”

The average inventory for the two-wheeler segment was adequate at 40-45 days and there were numerous schemes being rolled out by vehicle makers to woo buyers, especially for the entry segment and in the rural and semi-urban areas.

A new Bajaj commuter motorcycle has been spied testing, and a closer look suggests that it could be an upcoming model in the company’s CT lineup of rugged workhorses. While most of the test mule is covered in camouflage, there are certain key details visible which mark it out as a CT model.

For starters, the overall design approach, with a large circular headlight and a tall, wide handlebar, is very similar to the current CT 125X, which we took a spin on last year and were quite impressed by. And then there are a number of smaller elements as well. The presence of hand guards is quite unusual on commuters, but it’s something that we’ve seen Bajaj do on models like the Platina 110 ABS. The same goes for the sump guard and braced handlebar as well, which one doesn’t usually see in this segment, but the CT 125X gets both, as does this test mule. All this further strengthens the theory that what we see here is an early preview of an upcoming CT model.

There are also factors to suggest that this new model will sit above the existing CT 125X, the biggest among them being the more premium split-spoke design for its alloy wheels. It’s also not quite as utilitarian as the smaller 125, missing out on a rear luggage rack. Perhaps this could be a 150cc iteration of the rugged CT platform, called something like the CT 150X. After all, Bajaj recently discontinued the Pulsar P150, meaning that its only 150cc models are the sporty new N150 (which replaces the P150) and the aged Pulsar 150, leaving space for a basic, rugged commuter motorcycle.

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