CNG MOTORCYCLE
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC – Part 84: Can rising demand for decorative features drive this auto ancillary's growth?
A car can change its engine and still look almost the same. It can also keep the same engine and look so different that buyers happily pay more for it. That is the peculiar corner of the automobile industry this story explores. For one listed supplier, the shift to EVs may be less threatening than it sounds. The bigger question is whether changing consumer preferences can help it build a more valuable business.
Festive dispatches drive October car sales to record high
India's passenger vehicle dispatches to dealerships are estimated to have risen 13-14% year-on-year to a record 5.25-5.30 lakh units in October, driven by festive demand. Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, Hyundai and Kia reported record monthly sales, while two-wheeler and commercial vehicle makers also posted strong growth.
Apache maker TVS Motor rides EV surge to record quarterly sales
TVS Motor Company achieved its highest quarterly sales in the September quarter, largely due to electric vehicle demand. The company’s electric two-wheeler sales rose by 133% to 1.86 lakh units. Overall two- and three-wheeler sales increased by 27%, totaling 1.9 million units. Revenue surged 44% to a record Rs 17,103 crore, while profit after tax grew by 52%.
Auto companies ride on a low base to deliver robust 22% sales in September
Car sales in India saw a 22% increase in September due to dealers stocking up for festivals and strong demand. Two-wheelers and three-wheelers also experienced growth of 13.5% and 16% respectively during the same month. The overall sales for passenger vehicles increased by 28.3% in the first half of FY27. Automakers remain hopeful about continuous demand amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.
India passenger vehicle sales rise 22% to 4.54 lakh units in September: SIAM
September 2026 marked a pivotal month for India's automotive sector, with car sales climbing by 22%, reflecting strong consumer interest. Ahead of the festive season, manufacturers stepped up shipments, while two-wheeler sales also surged by 13.5%. This upward trend was bolstered by enhancements in affordability and infrastructure. Despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions, optimism about maintaining this demand growth remains high.
Will analysts' predictions go wrong? 15 auto stocks with upside potential of up to 50% to as low as negative 1%
For anyone trying to figure out where the economy is headed in the next six months, the numbers to watch will come from auto showrooms. The auto sector has, for long, provided the earliest indications of the health of the economy. And the sales numbers it puts out ahead of the festive weeks are where the correlation is best seen. So, keep a close watch on the auto pack.

These mid-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of over 25%, according to analysts
In the short term, be ready for volatility, and do not mistake the passing of one big event for an all-clear. In the long term, give up trying to guess when the storm will end. That is not something anyone can do.

These mid-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of over 25%, according to analysts
There are times when a watchlist is more important than a buy list. But if you still insist on putting money in the market, look at fundamentally strong stocks. While doing so, however, be clear that the invested money might still shed some value in the near term, or at least underperform. Coming specifically to mid-cap stocks, even in the initial phase of a recovery, they may well have limited ability to see a sharp upmove. Why?

PVs drive auto sales to record August high as India gears up for festive season
India's automobile sector achieved its highest-ever August sales across multiple vehicle categories, SIAM said. Robust consumer demand and resilient rural markets fueled this significant industry growth. Passenger vehicle domestic sales saw a sharp increase, reaching record levels for the month. Three-wheelers and two-wheelers also posted strong year-on-year growth figures. Automakers anticipate continued firm consumer demand ahead of the festive season.

City gas cos pin hopes on CNG 2-wheelers to ride over EV threat
Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor unveiled CNG-powered bikes and scooters, aiming to reduce ownership costs. City gas suppliers like Indraprastha Gas and Mahanagar Gas are ramping up infrastructure to support this trend. This move is expected to increase CNG sales, with the two-wheeler market showing promising growth.

Two can work better than four-wheelers
India is exploring a unique path to vehicle energy transition, focusing on hybrid solutions amidst limited battery-charging infrastructure. Japanese automakers have introduced dual-fuel cars (petrol and CNG), reducing costs and boosting sales, especially in cities mandating dual-fuel taxis. Bajaj extends this concept with the world's first CNG motorcycle, leveraging its expertise from autorickshaws. Challenges include sparse CNG stations, though more available than EV chargers. While these innovations may delay EV adoption, India aims to ramp up domestic EV production under tariff protections, pivoting towards renewable energy-driven charging networks for sustainable transition.

CNG models expected to boost Bajaj Auto’s two-wheeler market share
The introduction of a CNG model aimed at a rapidly expanding market segment is expected to boost the company's domestic motorcycle sales, which accounted for almost 60% of its total motorcycle sales in the last fiscal year.

Bajaj Auto looks to disrupt market with its CNG motorcycle Freedom 125, return favour to its arch-rival
Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, aims to "return the favour" to Hero Honda with the Freedom 125, the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle. Hero Honda revolutionized the scooter-dominated market 25 years ago with fuel-efficient motorcycles that offered 80 km per litre. Priced between Rs 95,000 and Rs 110,000, the Freedom 125 claims to cut operating costs by up to 50% compared to petrol bikes

Bajaj Auto launches world's first CNG bike, Freedom 125. Check price, mileage and other features
India's Bajaj Auto has launched the world's first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered two-wheeler, the Freedom 125, in Pune. The entry-level vehicle, likely priced at Rs 95,000, aims to shake up the motorcycle market. CEO Rajiv Bajaj praised the bike as an avatar of freedom and freedom from petrol. Key features include telescopic front forks, mono-link suspension, front disc and rear drum brake setup, and a 125cc engine.

Bajaj Auto Freedom 125: CNG fuel costs Rs 1/km, petrol 2.25/km, Gadkari lauds the R&D effort
Bajaj Auto CNG Bike: Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari praised Bajaj Auto's CNG-powered Freedom 125, highlighting its cost-effectiveness. He predicted strong international demand, citing significant savings over petrol counterparts—Rs 1 per km for CNG versus Rs 2.25 per km for petrol.

What is the value proposition of a CNG bike vs EV & ICE models? Bajaj Auto’s Rakesh Sharma answers
An average customer earning Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per month can expect to save about Rs 1,500 per month by using CNG as a fuel. Also, CNG, while still a carbon-based fuel, has far less carbon content, and to that extent, it is much more beneficial from an environmental point of view than diesel or petrol, says Rakesh Sharma, ED, Bajaj Auto.

Bajaj to launch first CNG-powered motorcycle on June 18, reveals MD Rajiv Bajaj
Rajiv Bajaj unveiled plans for Bajaj Auto's first CNG motorcycle on June 18, 2024, challenging Hero MotoCorp's dominance in the entry-level segment. The bi-fuel bike will run on CNG and petrol, with details like trademarked names still undisclosed.

Halve your fuel expense? Bajaj's CNG bike may do just that
Bajaj Auto plans to disrupt the entry-level motorcycle market with the world's first CNG-run motorcycle, aiming to halve monthly fuel expenses. The bi-fuel motorcycles, priced at a premium, will challenge Hero MotoCorp's dominance. Bajaj aims to capitalize on the mileage-conscious entry-level segment, where it currently holds an 8% share. The move aligns with government carbon reduction goals and leverages Bajaj's experience in CNG three-wheelers. Launching first in Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bajaj plans to expand its CNG motorcycle portfolio in India and select international markets.

Bajaj Auto to launch CNG bikes in FY25, will be priced higher than petrol vehicles
Bajaj Auto is developing a range of CNG motorcycles, set to launch in FY25. The company urges the government to reduce GST on CNG bikes to 12% to promote their adoption. These motorcycles will target mileage-conscious consumers and will have a special tank for both petrol and CNG fuel options. Bajaj Auto acknowledges the need for an extensive network of CNG filling stations for the success of these bikes. The company is also actively promoting electric vehicles alongside CNG options.
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