ऑटोमोबाइल

Ather plans to expand to 2000 stores by 2028

Posted on by admin
Ather plans to expand to 2000 stores by 2028
An outside image of an Ather showroom

Ather is targeting to more than double its retail footprint to between 1,800 and 2,000 stores over the next two years as the EV maker rolls out its new family scooter Konarc and expands production capacity, according to a senior company official. The company currently sells the 450X and Rizta electric scooters, which are positioned in the premium and mass premium segments of the market across some 750 stores. The company plans to use its new EL platform to broaden its product range into the more affordable segment.

  1. More scooters of different battery sizes expected from the EL platform
  2. Ather EV motorcycle at least two years away
  3. Production capacity to increase with the Aurangabad plant becoming operational

Number of retail stores and production to increase

More products expected from the Konarc’s EL platform

The newly unveiled Konarc will be available in two variants and six battery options at a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 99,999. The delivery of the first two battery options (S 125 and S 161) is set to commence in September 2026. “We are targeting 1,800 to 2,000 stores in the next 24 months,” Ather Energy’s Chief Business Officer Ravneet Phokela said. Phokela said the company expects the domestic market to remain its main focus for now, with exports only becoming important after a few years.

The EL platform, on which the Konarc is based, can produce different types of scooters, and it can also accommodate different battery sizes, wheel dimensions and dashboard designs. The company boasts that the platform helps launch more products while also reducing costs through changes like lower use of aluminium and simpler engineering. Ather has said it plans to launch multiple scooter products based on the platform first; and added that an Ather electric motorcycle is more than two years away.

Ather’s push into a wider range of scooters comes as the company looks to increase production capacity. Ather currently manufactures electric scooters at its Hosur plant, which has an annual production capacity of 4.20 lakh units. Its upcoming Aurangabad facility is expected to add another 5 lakh units of annual capacity when its first phase becomes operational later this year. The company said that it’s also considering whether to accelerate the second phase of the Aurangabad facility if demand continues to grow at its current pace.

With inputs from Stephen Raj Antony.
 

ऑटोमोबाइल

Upcoming Hyundai Midsize SUV Spied in Clearest Look Yet

Posted on by admin
Upcoming Hyundai Midsize SUV Spied in Clearest Look Yet
New Hyundai midsize SUV

The upcoming Hyundai Bayon-based midsize SUV has been spied testing on our roads once again ahead of its launch this festive season. This latest sighting gives us the clearest look yet at the upcoming model which will sit below the Creta in Hyundai’s lineup, but still measure over 4-meters in length.

Although it’s based on the international-spec Bayon, the India-spec model gets a complete different top hat with crossover-ish stance and sharp LED styling elements. It is expected to come with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with manual and CVT gearbox options. This engine will also be offered in CNG form with an underbody tank, making the Bayon-based SUV the first Hyundai car over four metres long to be powered by CNG.

Much like Maruti, this will give Hyundai a two-pronged plan to tackle the burgeoning midsize SUV market.  

ऑटोमोबाइल

Vinfast plans India-specific EVs, gets approval for plant expansion

Posted on by admin
Vinfast plans India-specific EVs, gets approval for plant expansion
Vinfast

Vinfast plans to design, develop and manufacture electric vehicles specifically for India as it expands its operations in the country. The Vietnamese EV maker has also received investment approval for Phase 2 of its Thoothukudi plant in Tamil Nadu, although it has not disclosed the investment amount, additional production capacity or timeline for the expansion.

  1. Phase 2 of Vinfast’s Thoothukudi plant gets investment approval
  2. Vinfast to increase sourcing from Indian suppliers

India-specific EVs won’t be existing cars adapted for the market

Vinfast says its upcoming models will not simply be existing products adapted for India. The company plans to develop them specifically for local requirements and with a higher level of localisation.

“For upcoming models, Vinfast’s approach is not simply to bring existing products from our global portfolio into the market, but to design, develop and manufacture products specifically for India, tailored to the needs of local customers, while also targeting a much higher level of localisation,” a Vinfast spokesperson told our sister publication, Autocar Professional.

The company said it has conducted market studies and customer clinics to understand Indian customer requirements. Feedback from these exercises has already been used to make changes to products such as the VF6 and VF7 for the Indian market.

VF6, VF7 CKD assembly to continue

VinFast currently assembles the VF6 and VF7 from completely knocked down (CKD) kits at its Thoothukudi facility. The company has clarified that it has neither changed nor suspended production plans for the two SUVs and will continue CKD assembly for India. The clarification follows a Reuters report that had raised questions over the carmaker’s production plans for the two models.

Vinfast said India remains an important part of its long-term business and manufacturing strategy, adding that the initial response to its products has helped it consistently rank among the five largest electric passenger vehicle brands in India.

Vinfast to expand local supplier base

The carmaker is also working to increase sourcing from Indian suppliers. It has held supplier conferences in India and Vietnam involving more than 300 Indian suppliers to explore sourcing opportunities and increase localisation.

“Building a sustainable and resilient supply chain is the foundation of Vinfast’s long-term strategy in India. Accordingly, we are accelerating our operations in line with the ‘Make in India’ direction,” the spokesperson said.

Vinfast is also engaging with government agencies on policy measures aimed at supporting further production and investment by global EV manufacturers in India. The company described the approval for Phase 2 of the Thoothukudi plant as an important step towards expanding its manufacturing capacity.

ऑटोमोबाइल

Nissan begins Tekton exports from India

Posted on by admin
Nissan begins Tekton exports from India
Nissan Tekton exports

Nissan Motor India announced the commencement of exports for the Tekton on September 1, 2026. The automaker stated that the Tekton will be sold in South Africa, Bhutan, and Nepal. For this first batch, the company said it has dispatched a total of 1,300 units to the three countries.

Nissan India’s domestic wholesales grow by 147 percent YoY

Tekton’s launch has helped drive momentum for the brand

Nissan India’s domestic wholesales increased by 147 percent year-on-year to 3,246 units in August 2026, up from 1,384 units registered in the corresponding period last year. The growth was driven by the domestic market rollout of the Tekton alongside sustained volumes for its existing SUV portfolio, according to Nissan.

However, international export dispatches across all models totaled 5,924 units during the month, down 23.7 percent year-on-year from 7,769 in August 2025. This reduction in exports offset the large gain in domestic wholesales, with total wholesales increasing marginally by 2.2 percent from 9,153 units to 9,350 units year-on-year.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “The response to the Nissan Tekton has been encouraging and has contributed to a strong domestic wholesale performance in August.” Nissan said that the initial shipments to South Africa, Nepal, and Bhutan represent the first phase of the model’s overseas rollout, with plans to expand dispatches to additional export destinations as production scales up.

With inputs from Dev Vadchhedia

Share Market

Nepal Flood News: नेपाल की उस लड़की की कहानी जिसके घर के 17 लोग विनाशकारी बाढ़ में मारे गए

Posted on by admin

Nepal Flood News: नेपाल में आई भीषण बाढ़ ने हजारों परिवारों की जिंदगी पूरी तरह बदल दी है। हिमालयी क्षेत्र में आई विनाशकारी बाढ़ के बाद सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित इलाकों में से एक रासुवा में तबाही का मंजर अभी भी साफ दिखाई दे रहा है। घर, सड़कें और पुल बह चुके हैं। बड़ी संख्या में परिवार अपने घरों से विस्थापित होकर अस्थायी राहत शिविरों में रहने को मजबूर हैं। इस त्रासदी के बीच एक युवती की कहानी ने इस आपदा की भयावहता को सामने ला दिया है।

CNN की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, रासुवा के सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित इलाकों में रहने वाली एक युवती ने अपने परिवार के 17 सदस्यों को खो दिया। उसका घर भी बाढ़ में बह गया। उसके पास अब अपने परिवार की यादों के तौर पर सिर्फ मोबाइल फोन में मौजूद तस्वीरें बची हैं। नेपाल में अचानक आई बाढ़ से मरने वालों की संख्या बढ़कर 1,100 के पार हो गई है।

एक झटके में पूरा परिवार उजड़ गया

कॉपिला तमांग नाम की इस युवती के परिवार ने इससे पहले 2015 के विनाशकारी भूकंप की त्रासदी भी झेली थी। उस आपदा में उनका घर तबाह हुआ था। लेकिन परिवार ने दोबारा जिंदगी शुरू की और नया घर बनाया। इस बार बाढ़ ने उस नए घर को भी नहीं छोड़ा। अमेरिकी चैनल की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, बाढ़ में उनकी मां, बहन, दादी समेत परिवार के कुल 17 सदस्य मारे गए। इनमें महज एक महीने का एक बच्चा भी शामिल था।

वापस लौटने पर सबकुछ बर्बाद!

कॉपिला उस समय काठमांडू में थीं। जैसे ही उन्हें पहाड़ी इलाके में बाढ़ आने और परिवार के फंसने की खबर मिली, वह वापस लौट गईं। लेकिन तब तक बहुत देर हो चुकी थी। उन्होंने CNN से कहा कि उन्हें बेहद अकेलापन महसूस हो रहा है। परिवार के छोटे बच्चे के लिए यह त्रासदी और भी मुश्किल है। उनका सात साल का छोटा भाई अभी यह समझ नहीं पा रहा कि उसकी मां अब वापस नहीं आएगी। कॉपिला ने कहा कि अब उसे अपने छोटे भाई के लिए खुद मजबूत बनना होगा।

राहत शिविर में रात होते ही सताने लगता है डर

बाढ़ से बचाए गए और विस्थापित परिवारों को फिलहाल अस्थायी शिविरों, स्कूलों और अधूरी इमारतों में शरण दी गई है। लेकिन यहां पहुंचने के बाद भी लोगों को सुरक्षा का भरोसा नहीं मिल पा रहा है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, कई परिवारों को अब भी डर है कि कहीं दोबारा बाढ़ न आ जाए। रात में जब भी पानी बढ़ने या नई बाढ़ की चेतावनी मिलती है, कुछ लोग सुरक्षित ऊंचाई की तलाश में जंगल और पहाड़ी इलाकों की ओर चले जाते हैं।

कई विस्थापित लोग खुले या अधूरे भवनों की छतों पर रात गुजार रहे हैं। एक 17 वर्षीय युवक ने सीएनएस से बातचीत में बताया कि उसके दो छोटे भाई-बहन भी बाढ़ में मारे गए। राहत शिविरों में रात के समय लोग अपने परिवार के सदस्यों को याद कर रोते हैं। कई लोगों के लिए नींद तक मुश्किल हो गई है।

13 साल की बच्ची भी बाढ़ के बीच फंसी

नेपाल की इस आपदा में बच्चों की मुश्किलें भी बेहद गंभीर हैं। एक 13 वर्षीय बच्ची ने बताया कि बाढ़ आने के समय वह अपने परिवार से अलग हो गई थी। उसे कुछ समय तक यह तक पता नहीं था कि उसके माता-पिता कहां हैं। UNICEF के अनुसार, 26 अगस्त को आई बाढ़ से नेपाल के रासुवा, नुवाकोट और धादिंग इलाकों में कम से कम 17,000 बच्चे प्रभावित हुए हैं।

इस विनाशकारी तबाही में कई स्कूल पूरी तरह नष्ट हो गए हैं। हजारों बच्चों की पढ़ाई प्रभावित हुई है। एक अन्य मामले में स्कूल से लौटते समय बाढ़ की चपेट में आए बच्चों को अपनी जान बचाने के लिए ऊंचे स्थानों की ओर भागना पड़ा। कुछ बच्चों ने पेड़ों पर चढ़कर अपनी जान बचाई।

लोगों के सामने सिर्फ घर नहीं, पूरी जिंदगी दोबारा बसाने की चुनौती

इस बाढ़ ने नेपाल के प्रभावित इलाकों में लोगों से सिर्फ उनके घर और सामान ही नहीं छीने। बल्कि कई परिवारों के पूरे के पूरे सदस्य खत्म हो गए। कई लोगों को अभी तक अपने लापता परिजनों के शव नहीं मिले हैं, जिससे उनके लिए इस त्रासदी को स्वीकार करना और भी मुश्किल हो गया है।

CNN के अनुसार, कुछ परिवारों के लापता सदस्य अभी तक आधिकारिक लापता लोगों की लिस्ट में भी दर्ज नहीं हो पाए थे। अब राहत शिविरों में रहने वाले लोगों की सबसे बड़ी चिंता यही है कि अगली रात सुरक्षित होगी या फिर एक और बाढ़ उन्हें अपना सब कुछ छोड़कर भागने पर मजबूर कर देगी। उनके पास घर लौटने के लिए कई जगह घर ही नहीं बचे हैं।

मृतकों की संख्या 1,100 के पार

नेपाल में अचानक आई विनाशकारी बाढ़ से मरने वालों की संख्या बुधवार को बढ़कर 1,127 हो गई। हिमालयी क्षेत्र में आई इस आपदा के एक सप्ताह बाद भी बचावकर्मी हजारों लापता लोगों की तलाश में जुटे हैं। नेपाल पुलिस के अनुसार, चितवन से 348, नवलपरासी पूर्व से 217, नवलपरासी पश्चिम से 190 और नुवाकोट से 155 शव बरामद किए गए हैं। इसी तरह गोरखा से 66, धादिंग से 59, रसुवा से 45 और तनाहूं से 38 शव बरामद हुए हैं।

पुलिस ने बताया कि 1,113 शवों का पोस्टमार्टम और कानूनी पहचान की प्रक्रिया पूरी की जा चुकी है। जबकि 95 शव परिजनों को सौंपे जा चुके हैं। लापता परिजनों की पहचान में परिवारों की मदद के लिए 911 अज्ञात शवों का विवरण नेपाल पुलिस की वेबसाइट पर अपलोड किया गया है। पुलिस के मुताबिक, अब तक सुरक्षा बलों ने प्रभावित इलाकों से 6,541 लोगों को सुरक्षित निकाला है। जबकि 4,858 लापता लोगों की तलाश अभी जारी है।

ये भी पढ़ें- Ghaziabad Traffic: गाजियाबाद वालों के लिए बड़ी राहत! शाहबेरी रोड होगी चौड़ी, नोएडा और ग्रेटर नोएडा जाने वाले 50,000 लोगों को जाम से मिलेगी मुक्ति

अधिकारियों ने बाढ़ प्रभावित इलाकों में 7,912 पुलिसकर्मियों को तैनात किया है।  नेपाल-तिब्बत सीमा के निकट 26 अगस्त को बर्फ और चट्टानों के ढहने या हिमस्खलन के कारण अचानक बाढ़ आ गई थी। इस बाढ़ ने उत्तरी और मध्य नेपाल के कई कस्बों और गांवों में भारी तबाही मचाई थी।

ऑटोमोबाइल

Ather Konarc S 161 review: The next big thing?

Posted on by admin
Ather Konarc S 161 review: The next big thing?
Ather Konarc S 161 review: The next big thing?

It’s not a stretch to say that the Konarc is the most important product from Ather yet, because the company hopes this new EV will help it unlock segments and markets hitherto untouched by it. The question then is, will the Konarc live up to the lofty expectations placed on its shoulders?

Konarc Design and Quality – 9/10

Straightforward design with high quality finish

The Konarc S is offered in four classy yet inoffensive colours

Striking looks aren’t a trait family scooters are known for and Ather wanted to play it very safe with the Konarc to bring in buyers that typically shop for ‘decent-looking’ scooters. While it does look a bit plain, it will still not completely meld into the ocean of humdrum two-wheelers on the road. Further reinforcing its family scooter aspirations are a quartet of very classy, yet inoffensive colours. 

Another aspect that the Konarc’s prospective customers will appreciate is its excellent finish and quality levels all across – a typical Ather trait. 

Konarc Ride and Handling – 9/10

Excellent ride and seating comfort, planted and surefooted handler

One big reason Ather moved to the new EL platform is that its earlier platform was never built for outright comfort and practicality. In this application, the main focus was to maximise comfort for both rider and pillion. The use of a 14-in front wheel and suspension with 90mm/100mm (F/R) of travel are two key factors in providing lovely ride comfort here. 

31L boot is deep enough to fit a premium helmet

Point the Konarc towards most bumps and it will round them off without getting unsettled while isolating you from the shock to a great extent. In the scooter space, this is one of the most comfortable options available. Ofcourse, this is still a scooter and really big bumps will filter through – don’t expect motorcycle-like comfort. 

SpecificationsValues
Wheelbase1352 mm
Kerb Weight126.5 kg
Chassis typeMonocoque Full – Steel Body Construction

Something that a typical family scooter buyer values is a centre stand and the Konarc becomes the first Ather to offer it. Like other family scooters, the Konarc’s chassis is geared towards stability and ease of use. Despite the larger 14-in wheel and long 1352mm wheelbase, it felt very straightforward to ride. Its low 770mm seat height will help shorter folks get their feet down comfortably although its wide floorboard will have an impact here. 

Main stand can touch down in deep ruts

A spacious seat with a padded backrest means two full-size riders will fit comfortably on the Konarc. Another nice feature is that the front end doesn’t get flighty even with a heavy pillion onboard, despite no preload adjustability on the monoshock. The only ergonomic miss is that riders taller than 5’10 will find their knees touching the handlebar during full-lock turns.

SpecificationsValues
Wheel SizeFront – 14 inch, Rear – 12 inch
Front Tyre Size90/90-14
Rear Tyre Size100/90-12
Brake typeFront – Disc, Rear – Drum
Front Brake Size220 mm
Rear Brake Size130 mm
Front Suspension TypeTelescopic Fork, 90mm travel
Rear Suspension TypeDual Hydraulic Coil Spring, 100mm travel

Konarc Performance – 8/10

Has enough performance, new motor has very silent running 

Not only is the Konarc a big leap ahead in terms of comfort, its riding experience is also well-suited to city commuting. A big part of that is down to the comfort but its new swingarm-mounted motor also contributes here. Unlike the Rizta and 450 which used a rather noisy and relatively more maintenance intensive belt final drive, this motor is whisper quiet. It also directly powers the rear wheel without a chain or belt, reducing the number of components in the powertrain. 

SpecificationsValues
Fuel Type/ PropulsionElectric
Motor TypePMSM
Max Motor Power4.7 kW
Max Motor Torque16 Nm
EV Battery Capacity2.7 kWh

With 4.7kW and 16Nm of torque on tap, the Konarc’s performance is best described as sufficient, but only in the top Power mode. Here, the scooter is capable of negotiating its way through big city traffic reasonably quickly. Switching to Eco / SmartEco dulls acceleration significantly and unless you’re running out of juice or you live in a small town, this level of performance will feel out of place. 

450W onboard charger integrated into motor controller means you only need to carry a small cable around

Except for the bottom 2.1, all S variants come with a front disc brake, a rear drum and CBS. This setup is capable of bringing the Konarc to a halt quickly and safely with almost no hiccups. The one concern with the combined braking system was that the front could lock up when braking on sandy, gravelly loose surfaces using the rear brake lever exclusively. Only the Z variants launching next year come with Ather’s AeBS (Advanced Electronic Braking System) which uses the regen system to shorten braking distances. 

Konarc Features – 8/10

S variants are decently equipped but Z gets all the feel-good ones

And that is a good segue into the way Ather has distributed features across the S and Z. The keyless ignition system, automatic seat opening, AeBS, Magic Twist regen braking, traction control, the colour TFT display and all the smart functions enabled by it are reserved only for the Z. Common to all Konarcs is the 31L underseat storage area, which can easily swallow an imported full-face helmet with room to spare. 

7-inch dash informative and legible but not full colour

What three S variants (except the most affordable one) get is the 7-in simple TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity, hill hold assist, reverse, several app-based functions, a 450W onboard charger and Airwalk. Airwalk is basically the Konarc’s motor sending a tiny amount of power to the rear wheel when you’re pushing it around to help make your life easier – this is truly effective and makes the 129kg Konarc feel far lighter than it is when moving it around. While the S has a good number of features, when you bring pricing into the equation, it stings a little. 

Same charging port for both onboard & portable chargers

Konarc Price and Verdict – 8/10

Not a cutthroat price but this is still a polished and competitive scooter

The two S variants which are on sale right now, S 125 and S 161, are priced at Rs 1.22 lakh and Rs 1.45 lakh, respectively – near identical pricing to the Rizta S. Like the Rizta, you have to pay extra for the Ather StackPro which unlocks many of the smart electronic features. 

The base S 2.1 (Rs 99,999) misses out on niceties like the disc brake and backrest and comes with rudimentary tech and a basic 4.2-in display. In that sense, the Konarc isn’t really pushing the envelope when it comes to an alluring price. 

VariantPrice (ex-showroom)
Konarc S 100Rs 1 lakh
Konarc S 125Rs 1.22 lakh
Konarc S 161Rs 1.45 lakh

However, as a scooter, the Konarc is a well-thought out product that nails comfort, promises enough performance, predictable range and lower maintenance costs. Ather claims a 10,000km / 1 year service interval and lower service charges owing to fewer parts and quicker turnaround times. 

It may not have made as stellar an impression as it could have with more aggressive pricing, but nonetheless the Konarc definitely has what it takes to elevate Ather to a higher echelon in the market.

ऑटोमोबाइल

Volvo EX90 pros and cons explained

Posted on by admin
Volvo EX90 pros and cons explained
2 reasons to choose the Volvo EX90, 2 reasons not to

Volvo’s flagship EV, the EX90, has been on sale overseas since 2022. Ahead of its launch on October 12, the manufacturer has revealed details of the India-spec model. It will be sold here in the range-topping ‘Ultra’ variant, which we got to experience recently. If you are interested in the flagship Volvo EX90, here are two reasons to choose it and two reasons to think otherwise.

Reasons to buy the Volvo EX90

Offers a comfortable driving experience on all types of roads 

The Volvo EX90 features an air suspension system that offers a good balance between ride comfort and handling. The car takes microseconds to adjust to the various undulations on the road. Volvo is offering this system with three adjustable modes: Soft, Standard and Firm. ‘Soft’, as the name suggests, offers a comfortable drive over broken roads at medium to high speeds, but it results in a bit more body roll, which does not make it feel confident. ‘Standard’ offers a comfortable ride on bad roads but without feeling overly soft in the corners. ‘Firm’ adds a layer of stability through sharp corners and high speeds.

Has adequate performance and impressive cabin insulation

The India-spec Volvo EX90 Ultra will be offered with a 106kWh battery pack powering dual electric motors producing 456hp and 670Nm. Volvo claims a 0-100kph time of 5.5 seconds, which is fairly quick given its size. However, the SUV builds speed linearly, and the powertrain feels more relaxed and laid-back. Volvo is offering the EX90 with four driving modes: Range, Standard, Performance and Off-road. Even in ‘Performance’ mode, outright zippy acceleration associated with EVs is missing, and the SUV builds up pace gradually. 

As engine sounds are absent on an EV, wind and road noises that filter into the cabin tend to get amplified, especially with larger wheels. However, this is not the case with the Volvo EX90, which offers top-notch cabin insulation. This keeps the cabin feeling near-silent. 

Reasons not to buy the Volvo EX90

Essential drive settings buried within the infotainment system menus

The Volvo EX90’s dashboard is devoid of buttons. All functions can be accessed through the steering-mounted controls or the massive 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits in the centre of the dashboard. Simple but essential tasks such as adjusting the outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) require navigating menus and multiple inputs, which is neither convenient nor safe while on the move. Some hard-coded climate control functions are in the bottom section of the touchscreen, but operating them requires taking your eyes off the road.

Inconsistent brake bite point

Volvos are generally known for offering a strong safety suite, and the flagship EX90 is no different. However, the braking performance is inconsistent due to a variable brake bite point. This is because the EX90 employs regenerative braking with traditional hydraulic brakes, and the transition, depending on the battery’s state of charge and drive modes, causes the bite point to vary.

As mentioned earlier, the Volvo EX90 will launch on October 12. It is expected to have a small premium over its ICE counterpart, the XC90, which currently starts at Rs 98.80 lakh (ex-showroom).

ऑटोमोबाइल

Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Price and specifications compared

Posted on by admin
Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Price and specifications compared
A studio shot showing the Ather Konarc, Chetak C3001, TVS iQube, and Vida VX2 Go.

Ather recently launched its first scooter on the completely new EL platform. Called the Konarc, it is currently available in six variants, starting at Rs 99,999 and going up to Rs 1.45 lakh at the moment. However, it appears that Ather is looking to make sure that there’s a Konarc at every price range. The most affordable Konarc S with 100km range isn’t going to be available until early next year, which makes the Konarc S 125km range variant the entry-level Konarc. So, how does it compare to the offerings from legacy manufacturers? Let’s find out.

Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Motor, battery and charging

Chetak offers the most range

 

Ather Konarc S 125

TVS iQube 3.1 kWh

Chetak C3001

Vida VX2 Go 3.1

Peak motor power

4kW

4.4kW

3.1kW

6kW

Rated torque

16Nm

33Nm

20Nm

25Nm

Claimed top speed

70kph

82kph

80kph

70kph

Battery capacity

2.7kWh

3.1kWh

3kWh

3.1kWh

Claimed charge time (0-80 percent)

4h30m

4h03m

2h55m

4h45m

IDC range

125km

123km

131km

127km

These scooters rarely compare 1:1 in specifications, but if we take range as the most important factor, these are Ather Konarc’s closest rivals. As such, the Vida VX2 Go is the most powerful here, while the iQube develops the most torque. However, the Chetak quotes the highest range of the lot, and it sweetens the deal further by offering the fastest bundled charger (750W) and the shortest 0-80 charging time.

Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Dimensions and underpinnings

iQube is the lightest and has the lowest seat height

 

Ather Konarc S 125

TVS iQube 3.1kWh

Chetak C3001

Vida VX2 Go 3.1

Wheelbase

1,352mm

1,301mm

1,355mm

1,301mm

Seat height

770mm

770mm

775mm

777mm

Ground clearance

NA

157mm

NA

155mm

Kerb weight

126.5kg

116.8kg

125kg

118kg

The C3001 and the Konarc have the longest and second-longest wheelbase, respectively, and they’re on the heavier side as well; the latter is explained by their metal body panels. Seat height is more or less on par, but if you care about the minutest of numbers, the Vida VX2’s is the tallest of the bunch. However, we wouldn’t expect that to deter buyers from choosing the Vida.

Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Brakes, tyres and suspension

Konarc is the only one with a 14” wheel

 

Ather Konarc S 125

TVS iQube 3.1kWh

Chetak C3001

Vida VX2 Go 3.1

Brakes (F,R)

220mm disc, 130mm drum

220mm disc, 130mm drum

130mm drum, 130mm drum

190mm disc, 130mm drum

Tyres (F,R)

90/90-14, 100/90-12

90/90-12, 90/90-12

NA

90/90-12, 100/80-12

Suspension (F,R)

Telescopic, monoshock

Telescopic, twin shock

Leading-link, monoshock

Telescopic, monoshock

Ather’s biggest advantage over the others is its 14-inch front wheel, something none of the other scooters has. It also has the widest rear tyre, even though they all use 12-inch wheels. As for brakes, Chetak is the only one here without a disc brake. It is also the only one to feature a leading-link front suspension, paying homage to the design used on the original petrol-powered Chetak of yesteryear, whereas the others get a more modern telescopic fork.

Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Features

Basics sorted, with more features requiring subscriptions

Ather has reserved the top-shelf feature set for the Konarc Z line, which is slated to release late next year. As standard, the Konarc gets the largest-in-size 7-inch LCD cluster. It also has AirWalk, a feature that will make manually moving the scooter easier. No other scooter in this comparison can match that. The iQube gets a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster, the C3001 gets a monochrome LCD cluster, and the VX2 Go 3.1 gets a 4.2-inch LCD. They all also offer ride modes and basic smartphone connectivity as standard.

However, most of Ather’s tech features require Ather StackPro, which costs Rs 16,000 for the Konarc S 125km variant. This is a big add-on to the overall price of the scooter, but it is a one-time purchase. If you spring for it, you do get a lot of features such as TrueRange, AutoHold and Vehicle FallSafe. Ather also promises yearly software upgrades and new features, a claim no other manufacturer on this list can meet or beat.

The other scooters also require a paid subscription to access the full feature suite. However, Ather’s is the most expensive and has the highest number of features. Chetak offers a lifetime subscription to its TecPac for Rs 3,000. Vida and TVS charge Rs 999 and Rs 900 per year, respectively, for theirs.

Ather Konarc S 125 vs rivals: Price

TVS is the most expensive, while Vida is the most affordable

 

Ather Konarc S 125

TVS iQube 3.1kWh

Chetak C3001

Vida VX2 Go 3.1

Price

Rs 1.22 lakh

Rs 1.29 lakh

Rs 1.14 lakh

Rs 1.12 lakh

Of this lot, the Konarc S is the second most expensive scooter to buy, behind only the TVS iQube. If you prefer to keep things simpler, both price-wise and features-wise, the Chetak and the Vida offer that: a lean feature set with promising range for the price. However, remember that real-world experience, such as comfort, can change this equation, and we can only comment on that after riding them.

The prices listed are ex-showroom, Bengaluru.

ऑटोमोबाइल

August 2026 car sales: Tata widens monthly lead over Mahindra

Posted on by admin
August 2026 car sales: Tata widens monthly lead over Mahindra
August

India’s passenger vehicle market remained on a strong growth path in August 2026, with most carmakers reporting higher domestic wholesales compared with the same month last year. Maruti Suzuki retained the top spot, while Tata Motors remained ahead of Mahindra for second place. Hyundai held fourth position, while Kia overtakes Toyota for the fifth spot.

July 2026 carmaker-wise sales in India
CarmakerAug 2026 salesJul 2026 salesMoM changeAug 2025 salesYoY change
Maruti Suzuki1,76,9711,96,203-9.80%1,31,27834.8%
Tata Motors67,75362,6114.22%43,315 56%
Mahindra

59,257

60,048

-1.32%

39,399

50%

Hyundai

54,396

54,210

0.3%

43,966

23.6%

Kia

29,042

28,200

3%

19,608

48.1%

Toyota

28,410 

30,516

-7%

29,302

-3%

MG 

7,508

8,158

-8%

6,687

12.3%

Nissan

3,426

3,006

14%

1,384

147% 

Renault

2,842 

3,293

-14%

3,015 

-5.7%

Maruti Suzuki

Sales: 1,76,971 units. Change: 34.8 percent YoY

Maruti Suzuki retained its position as India’s largest carmaker in August, with domestic passenger vehicle sales rising 34.8 percent year on year. Utility vehicless, including the Brezza, Ertiga, e Vitara, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, Victoris and XL6, accounted for 79,045 units, while compact and mid-size segment, led by the Baleno, Swift, Dzire and WagonR, contributed 77,166 units. The mini segment, comprising the Alto and S-Presso, added 8,799 units, while the Eeco contributed 11,961 units.

The carmaker also crossed one million total sales in the first five months of FY2026-27. Its total August sales, including exports and sales to other OEMs, stood at 2,19,220 units.

Tata Motors

Sales: 67,753 units. Change: 56 percent YoY

Tata Motors retained second place with 67,753 domestic passenger vehicle sales in August, up 56 percent from the same month last year. Electric vehicle sales, including domestic and international volumes, stood at 16,549 units, almost doubling from 8,540 units in August 2025. Tata also announced a price hike across its passenger vehicle range from September 1.

Mahindra

Sales: 59,257 units. Change: 50 percent YoY

Mahindra remained in third place, recording domestic SUV sales of 59,257 units in August, a 50 percent increase over the 39,399 units sold in August 2025. Its overall vehicle sales, including exports, stood at 1,07,648 units, up 42 percent year on year.

During the month, Mahindra launched the updated Scorpio-N and BE 6 SporteQ, and also introduced its Battery-as-a-Service option for the XEV 9e and XEV 9S.

Hyundai

Sales: 54,396 units. Change: 23.6 percent YoY

Hyundai recorded 54,396 domestic sales in August, up 23.6 percent year on year. The company said this was its highest-ever domestic sales figure for an August. Hyundai has introduced an assured buyback programme for the Creta Electric, while the carmaker is also set to increase prices from this September 2026.

Kia

Sales: 29,042 units, Change: 48.1 percent YoY

Kia recorded 29,042 units in August, up 48.1 percent from 19,608 units in the same month last year. This was the carmaker’s highest-ever August wholesale volume since entering India. The Seltos and Sonet continued to account for a large share of Kia’s volumes, while the newly launched Syros EV also contributed to the brand’s performance.

Toyota

Sales: 28,410 units, Change: -3 percent YoY

Toyota recorded domestic sales of 28,410 units in August 2026, down 3 percent from 29,302 units in the same month last year. The company remains optimistic about demand during the upcoming festive season, with the Innova Hycross, Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Glanza continuing to drive sales.

JSW MG Motor India

Sales: 7,508 units. Change: 12.3 percent YoY

JSW MG Motor recorded sales of 7,508 units in August, up 14 percent year on year. The company launched the Hector Tomahawk in both EV and PHEV forms during the month. Bookings for both versions are open, while deliveries of the Tomahawk EV are scheduled to begin in September. PHEV test drives and deliveries are scheduled to start in November.

Nissan

Sales: 3,426 units. Change: 147 percent YoY

Nissan recorded domestic wholesale sales of 3,426 units in August, up 147 percent year on year. The company attributed the performance to demand for the Magnite and Gravite, along with the response to the recently launched Tekton. Nissan also began exporting the Tekton to South Africa, Bhutan and Nepal during the month, with the first batch comprising more than 1,300 units.

Renault

Sales: 2,842 units, Change: -5.7 percent YoY

Renault recorded sales of 2,842 units in August 2026, down 5.7 percent from 3,015 units in August 2025. The carmaker’s cumulative domestic wholesales for January-August 2026 stood at 31,979 units, up 47.9 percent from 21,621 units in the same period last year. The company will add another powertrain option to the Triber range with the Triber Turbo, which is scheduled to arrive in late September 2026.

ऑटोमोबाइल

3 reasons to buy the Toyota Hyryder and 2 reasons not to

Posted on by admin
3 reasons to buy the Toyota Hyryder and 2 reasons not to
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Introduced in 2022, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara were the first products co-developed through the partnership between Toyota and Maruti Suzuki. Currently, the Hyryder is Toyota’s bestselling SUV in India, averaging 7,000-9,000 units a month. If you are considering the Hyryder, we will help you decide whether this midsize SUV is suitable for you or whether you should look elsewhere.  

Reasons to buy the Toyota Hyryder

Efficient strong hybrid engine

The petrol engine in the strong hybrid version runs on the Atkinson cycle that prioritises efficiency. Coupled with the battery and motor, the Hyryder can run temporarily on pure electric power, which helps curb fuel consumption. In our real-world fuel efficiency tests, the Hyryder strong hybrid delivered much higher efficiencies than the mild hybrid petrol automatic version: 20.28kpl in the city and 22.85kpl on the highway compared to 10.83kpl and 15.67kpl, respectively. Do note that this test was done before the rollout of E20 fuel.

Well-judged ride and handling

A combination of tough underpinnings and well-judged suspension helps the Hyryder have a balanced ride and handling setup. It handles tough roads with ease, and even the sharp surfaces are absorbed quite well. At higher speeds, the Hyryder remains glued to the road and composed, while direction changes and cornering abilities are predictable. Even when cornering, body roll is kept to a minimum despite its high 210mm ground clearance, which is remarkable.

AWD availability

The Hyryder is among the few models in the very crowded midsize SUV space to offer AWD. Available solely with an automatic gearbox, it comes with Suzuki’s AllGrip Select all-wheel-drive system, bringing decent off-road capability for the Hyryder, especially for those who regularly drive in snowy or slushy conditions. With the help of terrain modes and the ability to send 50 percent of its power to the rear wheels, it can tackle challenging roads.

Reasons not to buy the Toyota Hyryder

Engines lack outright performance

Strong-hybrid versions of the Hyryder are optimised for fuel efficiency over outright performance. Thus, drivers looking for a turbo-petrol-like exhilaration won’t be satisfied, as it lacks midrange punch. Apart from the strong hybrid, there’s also a mild hybrid version that utilises a 103hp, 139Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Though it has enough pep in the city, as with the strong hybrid, you’ll find yourself longing for more power on the highway. Overtakes will require careful planning and working your way through the gears. At 14.01 seconds, the mild-hybrid’s 0-100kph time is slow by segment standards.

Limited boot space

With a capacity of 355 litres, the mild hybrid-powered Toyota Hyryder has one of the smallest trunks in the segment. Additionally, the Hyryder strong hybrid’s high fuel efficiency comes at the cost of boot space, which is reduced further to 255 litres because of the lithium-ion battery pack placed beneath it. This could be a dealbreaker for those who carry large suitcases on road trips.