Legal hassles with rival Bajaj Auto have delayed the launch of TVS' Flame motorcycle. The bike, which is currently the bone of contention between Bajaj and TVS, was originally supposed to be launched in November but will now come in 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," said senior auto industry sources.
The 125cc Flame has been at the centre of a legal controversy thanks to its use of twin-spark technology. Bajaj, which has used the twin spark tech in its 125cc XCD bike alleged that TVS had copied its patented DTS-i technology. TVS, for its part, maintains that the technology is an improvement on a Honda patent that has long expired. TVS has now slapped a defamation suit in Mumbai and a patent action suit in Chennai against Bajaj Auto.
Like the Bajaj XCD, the Flame is a crucial vehicle for TVS. The company is banking on this new product to improve margins in the second half of this fiscal. The Flame is part of the seven new vehicles that TVS had showcased in August end at its new Rs 125-crore three-wheeler plant in Hosur.
Videos and Wallpapers of TVS Flame
That roster included the new 125cc bike Flame, an 110cc variant of StaR City, an electric variant of Scooty and a fuel injected Apache RTR 160. It also included three fuel variants (petrol, LPG and CNG) of its first ever three-wheeler model.
The three-wheeler will also debut in December end while the electric Scooty will come in January, say sources.
TVS has also been aggressively ramping up its ASEAN operations. Apart from the assembly line in Indonesia, it is scouting for a distributor in Thailand who can do a joint venture assembly and manufacture operation based on the companys Indonesian facility.
Vietnam and the Philippines will follow a similar structure. "Once these markets come on stream, the company will look for alliances in China in the next five years," says the senior industry source. While the company plans to take its new scooter and the Apache to Indonesia, it will also test its Indonesian product Neo step-thru in India early next year. TVS is also planning upgrades of the Apache (180 and 200 cc).
"But the real focus areas next year will be in the segments that falls in the low and middle end of StaR, upper-end of Flame and the Scooty," said the industry source.
Videos and Wallpapers of TVS Flame
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TVS Motor Company has begun production of the much-awaited TVS Flame, Apache RTR EFI and the TVS Scooty EV and will formally launch these products during the course of the month. With the launch of the TVS Flame, the company will strengthen its presence in the executive segment, which accounts for over fifty percent of the motorcycle market. Sales are expected to move upward post these launches, as the company will be in a position to leverage a more full portfolio.
The all-new 4 Stroke, 4 geared 125cc FLAME, the most innovatively designed offering from TVS has been designed to win over discerning customers with its futuristic styling and technology. The 3-Valve Engine comes with Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent (CC-VTi) technology. The styling of Flame is inspired by the Delta Wing design found in the latest fighter jets. Called "DeltaEdge", it gives the bike a unique style while giving it superior aerodynamics. The FLAME boasts of several style statements including, DeltaEdge Headlamps, Sporty DeltaEdge Exhaust, Embedded DeltaEdge Trafficators, LCD Digital Speedometer and a Dual Lens Tail Lamp.
The new Scooty Teenz Electric Vehicle, designed to offer more value and ride comfort, is an ideal balance of style and solid performance. It is targeted at women, whose daily travel is limited to around 15-25 km per day but at lower ownership costs. Stylish and durable, the Scooty Teenz EV has a maximum range of 50 km per charge, a long battery life and excellent utility space. As a vehicle that uses alternate fuel, the SCOOTY TEENZ EV ensures reduced operating costs and guarantees durability, good service backup and sustained performance with pillion rider.
With the Apache RTR EFI, TVS Motor Company would, for the first time, be offering Electronic Fuel Injection technology in the 160 cc 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. It 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 and is equipped with a rear disc brake facility.
TVS Motor Company will also leverage the growth prospects of the three-wheeler market with the launch of its three-wheeler variants, planned in the next few months.
TVS Motor Company reported total two wheeler sales of 112,766 units in November 2007. Exports posted 37% growth over the last year, while scooters grew at 4%.
During the month the company's motorcycle sales stood at 57,113 units in comparison to 68,874 units recorded in November 2006. The recently launched upgrade TVS StaR City 110cc has been well received and has made a sizeable contribution to the overall motorcycle sales of the company.
In the scooter segment, this month too, TVS Scooty continued its steady upward trend, posting 4% growth over the corresponding period last year with 22,566 units in November 2007 when compared to 21,791 units during the previous year. This segment too will witness further growth with the launch of TVS Scooty Teenz EV.
Exports recorded a quantum jump over the previous year with TVS Motor Company exporting 10,408 units of two wheelers in October 2007 recording a growth of 37% over November 2006's figures of 7,618 units.
