Improving road quality revving up scooter sales

In the first quarter of 2014-15, the scooter market grew by almost 30% compared to 10% for two-wheelers

The domestic scooter market is getting revved up with improving quality of roads in both, rural and urban areas.

In the first quarter (Q1) Apr-June of 2014-15, the scooter market grew by almost 30 per cent, compared to 10 per cent for two-wheelers. The demand for scooter is growing stronger.

“There are various factors stoking the scooter segment, including improving network and quality of roads, rising income levels and growing population of working women and the self-employed,” TVS Motor general manager U B Pandey told Business Standard here.

He said people looking for more rider comfort along with carriage space to transport domestic groceries and essentials were opting for scooters.

During Apr-June 2014, about 3.5 lakh scooters were sold against 8.30 lakh motorcycles.

“We are confident the scooter segment would continue to grow and gain market share in the two-wheeler space,” he added.

Last year, the 2-wheeler space in India and UP was pegged at 1.65 lakh units and 9 lakh units respectively. The commuter bike segment had the lion’s share of about 6 lakh units.

Pandey was in town to launch TVS Scooty Zest 110 in UP. It offers more power than Scooty and comes with a 19 litre fuel storage tank. It gives 62 kmpl under test conditions and carried a price tag of about Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom) in Lucknow.