New Delhi:
Extending their ongoing partnership, TVS Motor Company and BMW Motorrad on Wednesday announced that they will develop new platforms and future technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs) and the first product through this cooperation will be out by 2023.Exclusive products for both the companies will be developed on the common platforms, and the companies will retail their products globally. TVS will bring on board engineering prowess in design, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities and provide quality and economic advantage, said the two-wheeler maker.
Sudarshan Venu, joint managing director, TVS Motor Company, said, “So many things are changing with electrification. The change can be in the traditional form factor of the vehicle, the power, the way it’s delivered, or the connectivity. Bringing all of these together in a futuristic way is something that this platform will do.”
Responding to a query from ETAuto on whether any other form factor beyond two-wheelers are being explored, both the partners said that the partnership will be limited to mobility on two wheels only. The alliance partners will look at tapping global markets too with the new EVs.
In addition to the new EV plans, both BMW Motorrad and TVS said that they will launch new versions of motorcycles based on the shared 310cc platform soon.
In April 2013, TVS and BMW Motorrad signed a cooperation agreement to manufacture sub-500cc motorcycles for the world. The nine years of partnership has introduced three products on the 310cc platform- BMW G 310 R, BMW 310 GS, and TVS Apache RR 310. All three products are manufactured at the Hosur facility of TVS.
Markus Schramm, head, BMW Motorrad, said, “Our strong synergies have led to the development of impressive offerings in the sub-500cc segment.”
As a move towards electrification, TVS had earlier invested in the EV motorcycle startup Ultraviolette and recently led a Series-C funding round in the company.
To expand its global presence, TVS also acquired Switzerland-based e-bike maker EGO movement this year and British bike maker Norton, which is known for its classic models and electric range of luxury motorcycles.
Collaboration is the way forward
In December 2020, TVS’s competitor Bajaj Auto said it will set up a manufacturing facility with a proposed investment of INR 650 crore in Chakan for manufacturing the high-end KTM, Husqvarna and Triumph motorcycles as well as for EVs, starting from Chetak. It is expected to commence production from 2023.
The Pune-based automaker also has a non-equity long- term partnership with UK-based Triumph Motorcycles to introduce mid-size motorcycles for India and the world markets. In July 2021, Bajaj said that it is setting up a new subsidiary company to handle its EV business.
The company has also partnered with shared mobility brand Yulu and working on performance electric motorcycles with partner KTM.
Additionally, two-wheeler market leader Hero MotoCorp also has partnership with Harley Davidson for the Indian market. Hero will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name in the country. Besides, it will take care of service and parts requirements for Harley bikes.
One may expect these partnerships to expand in the booming EV segment as well. Meanwhile, Hero has earlier invested in the EV startup Ather Energy. It is now looking forward to launching electric two-wheelers powered by the Taiwanese startup Gogoro’s battery sharing infrastructure.
Besides tying up with the Taiwanese firm, the country’s leading two wheeler maker will launch an independent electric model with a fixed battery in early 2022. The company is utilising its Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Stephanskirchen (Germany) based R&D setups to develop its own electric products.
Other than the incumbents, there are a number of startups creating a buzz in the electric two-wheeler segment.
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The motorcycle was rolled out from the TVS Motor’s Hosur facility by KN Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company and Rainer Baumel, Head of Products, 1-, 2-Cylinder and Urban Mobility, BMW Motorrad.
