A Streak from TVS Motors; a unisex vehicle to come
CHENNAI: TVS Motors will launch in the coming financial year a unisex scooter model, in pace with the popularity of the segment in the present urban and semi-urban two wheeler markets. A unisex model is typically heavier than a scooterette (scooters designed primarily for women), with a more mature looking design, suited for driving longer distances with more stability.
The company, which has three scooterettes in its product portfolio, launched the fourth model in line – Scooty Streak, here on Monday. The 90 cc model, coming a year after TVS motor launched its electric scooter, is an upgradation of the company’s largest selling scooterette – scooty pep+.
“We have seen a revival in the two wheeler market in the past two months, with our growth touching double digit rates from the 5% growth rate seen when the slump hit in September,” said TVS Motors sales vice president R Dilip. While the reasons for this are speculative, this is usually the season when working women go in for purchase of scooterettes, according to TVS Motors marketing GM S Srinivas.
“When the academic year starts in June, it will be girl students who are buying scooterettes,” he said. “Though the popularity of electric scooters went up every time fuel price was hiked last year, the drop in fuel price now has not influenced purchasing decisions in a big way now.” The company has been maintaining its regular inventory of 7-10 days.
Streak, to be marketed as ‘tough and trendy’ with Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador, weighs lesser owing to its LiTech engine, but has broader anti-skid tyres to make up for stability. Retaining Pep’s fuel tank capacity of 4.7 l, the new model has an increased storage space of 14 l. It also differentiates from its predecessor with an external opening to the fuel tank and a closed glove compartment.
TVS Motors exports its Pep+ to 48 countries primarily in West and South Asia, and expects to start exporting Streak after it meets domestic demand in a month or two. The model is manufactured in its plant in Mysore. While the company expects a reshuffling of market share between its four scooterette models, it does not plan to phase out any of its older models.
The company presently sells on an average 25000 scooterettes per month, out of its total monthly two wheeler sales of 1 lakh. It has a national market share of 24% in the segment; and 60% in Tamil Nadu.