At last TVS Motor has come to the grips for its 100 cc gearless scooter in a bid to thwart the growing popularity of Honda Activa(selling 55000 units). Hero Honda’s Pleasure is no inferior – 15000 units – and TVS is primarily a brand known for the scooters among the women riders. According to the company sources, the new scooter will be built with a regular metal body, best available speed, handling, comfort and stability. The scooter will have the best engine and its price will be reasonable and affordable(Rs45000) akin to Honda Activa. TVS has, over the years , built a good brand image in this sector especially with its Scooty (30000 units a month) and this gain will be the base for its new venture.
TVS is mooting another auto-clutch motorbike alongwith this Scooter to drive fast its sale net. Auto Expo 2010 will have an access to have a look on both these products. The gearless scooter is in the market since 1980s from Kinetic Honda which was highly preferred by the women riders. (men riders were in the waves of Hero Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki).
As the Indian road conditions moulded the riders, gearless scooters from Honda individually – Honda Activa- swayed the market. Kinetic, which departed from its tie with Honda, got a new arm M&M and with the technical assistance from SYM of Taiwan there are two models of 125cc gearless scooters. Suzuki is running its show in this sector in which Bajaj is a notable abstainer.
100cc gear less scooter from TVS is a welcome step but I personally think that TVS should continue producing its lower capacity “Scooty” brand so that the customer will have a choice within TVS brands, that I don’t think any of the 2-wheeler company is providing as far as gear less scooters are concerned.