CarBike360 Weekly Wrap-Up | That Mattered This Week (April 1st-7th): Maruti got two stars and VW and Slavia got five stars in the GNCAP rating

Welcome to the Carbike360 Weekly Wrap-Up, where we bring you the latest news and updates from the automotive industry. 

This week, we have exciting developments to share, including a sneak peek of the 2024 Renault Duster SUV, Hero's plans to challenge Pulsar and Apache with their new Hunk 200 design patent and Ola and TVS capturing 44.29% of the electric two-wheeler market in India. We also have updates on car and two-wheeler sales figures, Skoda's Vision X's first look, and Hyundai's recent sales records. 

Join us as we dive into these and more stories from the world of automobiles.

Hero's New Hunk 200 Design Patent Leaked, Set to Challenge Pulsar and Apache

Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India, has recently announced its plans to expand beyond the commuter segment and venture into the 200cc to 500cc segment, which is expected to experience substantial growth in the near future. 

Ola and TVS capture 44.29% market share

According to the latest sales figures, the electric two-wheeler market in India witnessed a significant increase of over 29% in March 2023 compared to the previous month. This surge in demand has resulted in the sale of more than 85,000 electric two-wheelers in a single month, which is an all-time high for the sector. Two prominent companies in the space, Ola Electric and TVS, have recorded their highest-ever monthly sales figures for March 2023.

Car Sales in March 2023 | Maruti's 8 per cent decline whereas Honda Cars 7 per cent growth since last year

According to several dealer surveys, there has been a sharp decline in inquiries and footfalls in the passenger vehicle space in recent weeks. As a result, waiting periods have also reduced, and the passenger vehicle market is currently under pressure.

Two Wheeler Sales in March 2023 | Hero Motor Cup with 15 Percent and Royal Enfield with 6.7 Percent Growth

Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has reported a significant year-on-year (YoY) growth in sales for March 2023. The company sold 5,19,342 units in March 2023, a 15% increase from 4,50,154 units sold in March 2022.

Skoda Vision X first look: Packed with Features for the Modern Drive

It is expected that the Vision X will come with a smooth and refined engine and it will also come in CNG options. It will come with a 1.5 TSI engine, the car is designed as a front wheel drive and it comes with a DSG Gearbox, you will see the DSG gearbox in most of the Skoda cars.

EV industry records 155% growth sold more than a million units in FY2023

In the fiscal year 2023, the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India witnessed a remarkable surge in demand, recording a growth of 155% year-on-year (YoY) compared to FY2022. The total number of EVs sold during the fiscal year has crossed the 1 million mark for the first time, reaching 11,71,944 units by the end of March 31, 2023, according to Vahan data.

Hyundai's Creta, Venue, Alcazar, and Tucson Get Price Hike in April 2023

There is news about a recent development in Hyundai's car prices that will impact potential buyers. From 1st April 2023, the prices of Hyundai SUVs have increased, resulting in a hike of up to Rs 13,000. It's important to note that not all variants have been affected by the same amount.

Ampere Unveils Stylish Primus Electric Scooter with RCB-inspired Design

Greaves Electric Mobility's Ampere, the official EV partner of Royal Challengers Bangalore, has released a limited edition RCB-inspired Primus electric scooter.

An electric hatchback with a 400-km range is unveiled by BYD

The BYD Seagull EV, which is intended to be sold as an inexpensive EV, will be formally launched on April 18 at the Shanghai Motor Show. BYD, the second-largest manufacturer of electric vehicles behind Tesla, offers EVs such as the Atto3 SUV and the e6 electric MPV for sale in India.

Maruti Alto K10: Just Two Stars in Global NCAP Crash Test - Is It Safe Enough for You?

Maruti Suzuki's Alto K10 and WagonR models did not perform well in the tests. The Alto K10 received a rating of just two stars for adult occupant protection and zero stars for child occupant protection. Meanwhile, the WagonR scored even lower, with just one star in adult occupant protection and zero stars for child occupant protection.

Honda City and City Hybrid: The Upgraded BS6-II Compliant Models Are Here!

Honda has breathed new life into the Indian automotive market with the launch of the updated Honda City and City Hybrid. These sleek models not only offer a host of exciting new features but also meet the strict BS6-II emission regulations.

Hyundai drives towards success with 50,600 units sold in India for March 2023!

Hyundai Motor India has shattered its own sales records, achieving an impressive total of 61,500 units sold in March 2023. Of this number, 50,600 units were sold domestically and 10,900 were exported. This has allowed the carmaker to register the highest-ever domestic sales of 5.68 lakh units in FY2023, with a year-on-year growth rate of 17.9%.

Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus gets 5 Star Global Ncap Rating

The Global NCAP crash test results for the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia have been released, and both sedans have achieved a full 5-star rating. These vehicles have scored the highest rating for both Adult and Child Occupant Protection in the Global NCAP crash tests, setting a new benchmark in the C-segment sedan space. 

The Classic Bike is Back: Hero Karizma Set to Make Waves Once Again

Hero Karizma is a legendary motorcycle known for its sporty looks and powerful performance. It was considered a stylish and powerful bike, especially among the younger generation, and helped establish Hero's brand image in the Indian market. 

Indian chief classic is launching in April, check out the price and details

The Indian Chief Classic is a powerful cruiser motorcycle that boasts a Thunderstroke 116 V-Twin engine.

The Indian Chief Classic has gained immense popularity since its launch, thanks to its classic design, powerful engine, and modern amenities. The bike has become a top choice among riders who want a blend of traditional styling and cutting-edge technology. 

Will there be a Price Hike in Car Loans with the new RBI policy for the repo rate?

In the latest meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee in February, the RBI agreed to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it up to 6.5 per cent. Over the last year, starting from May 2022, the RBI has raised the repo rate by a total of 250 basis points.

Bajaj Auto's Pulsar, Platina, Dominar, and Chetak Sales Figures in March 2023

The Pulsar, Bajaj Platina, Bajaj CT, Bajaj Dominar, Bajaj Avenger, and Bajaj Chetak electric scooters were the top-selling bikes. However, the company's overall sales were impacted by a 37% Year over year decline in exports, with sales dropping from 1,49,243 units in March 2022 to 94,715 units last month.

Ather Energy arranged the Test Ride for a woman who faced difficulty in finding the nearest Experience Centre

Ramya was informed by the Ather team that they deeply regretted the inconvenience caused to her and understood that her experience was not up to their standards. They assured her that her feedback was important to them and that their team had reached out to address her concern. Additionally, they had arranged a test ride for her, and they were eager for her to experience Ather at its best.

Ather Sales In March 2023 – Registers 353% YoY Growth

Ather is one of the OEMs in the electric two-wheeler market that experienced significant growth in the fiscal year (2022–2023). By the fiscal year 2023–2024, Ather can easily surpass the 1 lakh annual sales milestone if it can sustain its current sales momentum. Currently, OEMs with yearly sales of over lakh units include Ola Electric and Hero Electric.

Up to Rs. 70,000 off on Selected Mahindra Cars

Mahindra is offering discounts on selected cars like the Marazzo Bolero, bolero Neo, Thar 4wd and the XUV 300. On these cars, you can avail of a discount of up to 70,000 Rs.

Hyundai Releases Official Teaser of The New Compact SUV for India

The Hyundai Ai3 SUV is built on Hyundai's K1 small car platform. It will be based on the platform Grand i10 NIOS and Aura. The new compact SUV will be positioned under the Hyundai Venue and compete with the Tata Punch.

Spied Image of Sleek and Stylish 2024 Kia Sonet Facelift

Recently, the facelifted Sonet was spotted in South Korea, Kia's home market, albeit heavily camouflaged. Despite the camouflage, the vehicle's styling changes were noticeable, such as new headlamps, tail lights, and alloys.