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How do make in India or local assembly helps bring the cost down for vehicles?

In recent times, you must have heard about Tesla requesting the Indian government to lower the import duty on electric cars as it’s gearing up to make its debut in the country. While the request was declined, you must be wondering how much do these companies have to pay taxes to the government? Moreover, how do make in India or local assembly helps bring the cost down for vehicles? In this article, we will be explaining the tax regime on ICE as well as electric cars in India. 

How do make in India or local assembly helps bring the cost down for vehicles?

Tax Slabs in India for Petrol and Diesel Cars

Made in India cars: From September 2017, all sub-4-metre made in India petrol cars (less than 1200cc) are taxed at 29% and 45% (above 1200cc) while sub-4-metre diesel cars (less than 1500cc) are taxed at 31% and 48% (above 1500cc). Cars above 4 metres of length with less than and more than 1500cc engine are taxed at 45% and 48% respectively. The SUVs longer than 4 metres are taxed at 50% while the hybrid cars fall in the tax slab of 43% of their cost.    

Imported cars: Imported cars are heavily taxed in India. In general, currently, India imposes 100% duty on fully imported cars with CIF, which include Cost, Insurance and Freight, on cars that are valued at more than 40,000 US Dollars. Cars that are valued at less than 40,000 US Dollars need to pay 60% import duty.

Tax Slabs in India for Electric Cars

Made in India cars: The Indian government has recently made some significant changes in the tax slabs for made in India electric vehicles. While a few years ago, 12% GST was levied on EVs. In July 2019, the Central government reduced the GST on electric vehicles and now only 5% GST is charged on EVs, be it two-wheeler, three-wheeler or cars. 

Imported cars: Just like imported petrol and diesel cars, imported electric cars are also heavily taxed by the Indian government. India imposes a 100% duty on fully imported electric cars that are valued at more than 40,000 US Dollars, while EVs valued at less than 40,000 US Dollars need to pay 60% import duty. Several companies including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, etc. have been requesting the government to reduce taxes but it isn’t happening anytime soon. So, by locally manufacturing vehicles, the companies can significantly bring down the cost of vehicles.

Also Read: What is BH (Bharat) series registration for vehicles and how to get it?

What are your thoughts on the tax regime on ICE and electric cars in India? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also, you can connect with us on our social media platforms, The Unbiased Blog, The Automotive Blog, and Nikhil Chawla, for all things tech and auto!

Upcoming Luxury Electric Cars in India in 2022

Electric Cars are gradually becoming very popular in the Indian market. While the choices in the mass market EV segment are pretty limited, the luxury electric car market is booming with all the big players in the race. In 2020 and 2021, we witnessed the launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, five Audi e-tron range cars, Jaguar I-PACE, and the mighty BMW iX. 2022 is going to be even more interesting and so in this article, we have listed all the upcoming luxury electric cars in India in 2022. Let’s have a look at them. 

Upcoming Luxury Electric Cars in India in 2022

MINI Cooper SE 

Expected Launch: March 2022

BMW Group is all charged up to launch their second electric car in India. The MINI Cooper SE electric hatchback is expected to be launched in India in March 2022. It will get a 32.6kWh lithium-ion battery and a claimed range of 240 kilometres on a single charge. The battery pack is paired with an electric motor that puts out 184 PS of power and 270 Nm of peak torque. The first batch of the MINI Cooper SE is already sold out in India. 

Volvo XC40 Recharge

Expected Launch: March 2022

Volvo was one of the first automakers to unveil its luxury EV in India. However, the launch got indefinitely delayed due to the pandemic. The new Volvo XC40 Recharge is expected to be launched in India next month. It will get a 78 kWh battery pack that will offer a claimed driving range of 418 km on a single charge. Moreover, it will get dual 150 kW electric motors, one on each axle, that develops 402 PS of power and 660 Nm of torque.

BMW i4

Expected Launch: July 2022

BMW Group has promised to launch three EVs in India within six months, namely BMW iX, MINI Cooper SE, and BMW i4. The BMW i4 electric sedan will be launched in India in July this year. It will get an 83.9kWh lithium-ion battery and while its RWD variant offers a claimed range of 590 km on a single charge, the AWD version delivers 510 km per charge. Its all-wheel-drive version develops a whopping 544 PS of power and 795 Nm of peak torque.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Expected Launch: September 2022

Hyundai India is evaluating its plans to launch the globally acclaimed Ioniq 5 in the country this year. The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV is expected to reach the Indian shores by September this year. Its top-spec model gets a dual-motor setup and develops 306 PS of power and 605 Nm of peak torque. This EV gets a large 72.6kWh lithium-ion battery and is claimed to offer a driving range of 481 km on a single charge.  

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Expected Launch: October 2022

Finally, the last car on this list is the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is one of the most sophisticated EVs currently on sale in the world. The company has already announced that it will be locally assembled in India and launched by the end of this year. The top-spec version of the EQS gets a 107.8kWh battery and offers a claimed range of up to 770 km on a single charge. Moreover, it develops a whopping 516 PS of power and 855 Nm of peak torque. 

Also Read: What is BH (Bharat) series registration for vehicles and how to get it?

What are your thoughts on these new upcoming luxury electric cars in India in 2022 and which one excites you the most? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also, you can connect with us on our social media platforms, The Unbiased Blog, The Automotive Blog, and Nikhil Chawla, for all things tech and auto!

What is BH (Bharat) series registration for vehicles and how to get it?

The new BH series or Bharat series registration for vehicles was introduced in India on August 28, 2021, while the registrations for the same commenced on 15th September last year. The BH series number plate has been introduced for selected people as of now, but they can turn out to be a major boon while relocating from one state to another. But, what exactly is the BH (Bharat) series registration for vehicles, and how to get it? Well, in this article, we have explained just that!

What is the BH (Bharat) series number plate?

The BH (Bharat) series registration of vehicles has been introduced so that people can use one public car in several states without any hassle. The format of the BH series number plate is YY BH #### XX. In this case, YY stands for the year of registration of the vehicle while BH represents Bharat. This is followed by four randomly generated numbers between 0000 and 9999, and a series of alphabets, ranging from AA to ZZ. 

Who can apply for it?

The main drawback of the BH (Bharat) series registration is that not everyone can apply for the same. Only the employees of the central and state governments, PSU employees along defense personnel are eligible to apply for it. In the private sector, an employee of a company that has offices in at least four states/UTs is eligible to get the BH number on a voluntary basis. 

How to get BH (Bharat) series number plate?

If you are eligible to get the BH (Bharat) series number plate, the application process for the same is fairly simple. One can log on to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Vahan portal and apply for it. It can be done at the dealership level too while purchasing a new car. The dealer will have to fill up Form 20 available on the Vahan portal on behalf of the owner. The private sector employees will have to fill up Form 60 too and share their employment ID & working certificate.

Also Read: Upcoming Electric Cars in India in 2022 under Rs 20 lakh

What are your thoughts on the new BH (Bharat) series registration for vehicles and will you get it for your car? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also, you can connect with us on our social media platforms, The Unbiased Blog, The Automotive Blog, and Nikhil Chawla, for all things tech and auto!

Upcoming Electric Cars in India in 2022 under Rs 20 lakh

Electric Cars are the future, there are no two ways about it! While the transition to green electric mobility has already started gathering pace in India, there is still a long way to go. Currently, in the mass-market EV segment, we have very limited options to consider. But, this year one can expect a lot of action. In this article, we have shared with you a list of all the expected upcoming electric cars in India in 2022 under Rs 20 lakh. Let’s have a look at them. 

Upcoming Electric Cars in India in 2022 under Rs 20 lakh:

Mahindra eKUV100

Expected Launch: Q1 2022

Mahindra will soon launch its most affordable electric car, eKUV100, in India. While the prices of this electric SUV were announced back in March 2020, its deliveries never commenced. Soon, the company will launch its updated version which is expected to be priced under Rs 10 lakh, ex-showroom. It will get a 40kW electric motor, the SUV will be able to run up to 150 km on a single charge and it can be charged under 6 hours using a regular charger.

MG ZS EV Facelift

Expected Launch: February 2022

MG Motor India is all set to give the ZS EV yet another update. The 2022 MG ZS EV Facelift is expected to be launched in India this month. It will get several cosmetic updates, new features (including ADAS) and a new powertrain. The new MG ZS EV is likely to get a 51kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering a range of up to 480 km on a single charge. The company might launch a lower-spec ZS EV too with a lesser range that will be priced under Rs 20 lakh, ex-showroom.

Updated Tata Nexon EV

Expected Launch: Q2 2022

Tata Motors’ Nexon EV is currently the best-selling electric car in India. To make its best EV even better, the company will launch the updated Nexon EV this year. The new 2022 Tata Nexon EV is expected to get a larger 40kWh battery (30 per cent larger than before) that will offer a range of up to 400 km on a single charge. However, the lower-spec model with the 30.2 kWh battery will also continue to remain on sale in the country.  

Tata Altroz EV 

Expected Launch: Q4 2022

Tata Motors is the leading EV maker in India and the company doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned to hold its position. The carmaker is expected to launch the new Tata Altroz EV in the fourth quarter of this calendar year. It is likely to borrow its powertrain from the 30.2kWh battery version of the Nexon EV. It might offer a range of up to 300 km on a single charge. The charging time will be around 6-8 hours to fully juice up the battery pack. 

Mahindra XUV400 

Expected Launch: Q4 2022

Finally, the last car on this list is the Mahindra XUV400, i.e. the electric version of the XUV300. The upcoming Mahindra XUV400 is expected to be launched by the end of this year to directly rival the Tata Nexon EV. It is likely to get a 40kWh lithium-ion battery that might offer a driving range of up to 400 km on a single charge. The company is expected to launch an even bigger battery version of the XUV400 that might make its market debut in 2024.

Also Read: Different types of Electric Charging Points that the Car Manufacturers Use: Explained!

What are your thoughts on the upcoming electric cars in India in 2022 under Rs 20 lakh and which one excites you the most? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also, you can connect with us on our social media platforms, The Unbiased Blog, The Automotive Blog, and Nikhil Chawla, for all things tech and auto!

Different types of Electric Charging Points that the Car Manufacturers Use: Explained!

Electric Vehicles are gradually becoming very popular in the Indian market. While the choices are still pretty limited in the mass-market EV space, people have started considering them as a perfect secondary car for intra-city commutes. A major hurdle that comes in India’s transition to green mobility is the limited charging infrastructure. People mostly have to charge their electric cars at home. Now, in case you are wondering what are the different types of electric charging points that the car manufacturers use? Fret not, as in this article, we will be explaining just that!

There are various ways to charge your electric car’s battery pack. One can charge it at their own home, at their nearest car dealership, or at a public charging station. In general, there are three categories or types of charging, namely Trickle Charge, AC Charge, and DC Charge. We have explained them in the latter part of the article. But, prior to that, let’s have a closer look at the different types of connectors. Globally, there are four main types of connectors to charge an electric car. They are explained in the table below.

Types of Electric Charging Points that the Car Manufacturers Use:

Charging Type AC Charging AC Charging DC Fast Charging DC Fast Charging
No. Of Pins 5 7 4 9
Capacity Up to 11 kW Up to 43 kW 50 kW – 100 kW Up to 170 kW
Voltage 120 V / 220 V 230 V / 400 V 500 V 450 V / 480 V
Current Rating Up to 32 A Up to 63 A 125 A 125 A

Types of Electric Charging in India:

Trickle Charge: Trickle Charge is also called Level 1 EV charging in India. These types of chargers provide charging through a standard three plug that comes with your EV and is rated at 120V in India. They are very slow chargers and usually take around 16-24 hours to fully charge the battery of an electric car, depending upon the total battery capacity of your EV.

AC Charge: Next, we have the AC chargers, which are also called Level 2 EV charging in India. They are the most widely used option in our country. These types of chargers operate at 230V and are 3-4 times faster than Trickle Charge. Depending on the EV, it can take around 6-10 hours to charge an electric car using AC chargers.

DC Charge: Finally, we have the DC fast chargers, which are also called the Level 3 EV charging in India. DC chargers are the fastest among the trio and they usually operate at 450-480V. With the help of a DC fast charger, an electric car can be charged up to 80 percent in less than an hour. However, they are very expensive and mostly found in public places only. 

Also Read: Here’s how the Budget 2022 will affect the Automobile Industry in India 

What are your thoughts on the upcoming iOS 15.4 features? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also, you can connect with us on our social media platforms, The Unbiased Blog, The Automotive Blog, and Nikhil Chawla, for all things tech and auto!

Here’s how the Budget 2022 will affect the Automobile Industry in India

The Union Budget for the financial year 2022-23 was presented by the Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 1, 2022. Talking about the Indian automobile industry, there was a lot of expectations from the Budget 2022. The Modi Government made several major announcements regarding the automobile sector and in this article, we will be sharing with you their key takeaways. Here’s how the Budget 2022 will affect the Automobile Industry in India. 

The Finance Minister of India made several key announcements for the all-around development of various sectors. But, when it comes to the automobile industry, the proclamations were quite limited that will directly impact the sector. The government presented an expected roadmap for the infrastructural development of the country as well as to boost the adoption of green mobility.  

Here’s how the Budget 2022 will affect the Automobile Industry in India:

New Battery Swapping Policy: This is probably the biggest announcement for the automobile industry in the Union Budget 2022. The Indian government has revealed that a new Battery Swapping Policy will be introduced soon. If implemented properly, this might benefit the entire EV ecosystem in India at large. This move will allow the companies to set up battery swapping stations. Moreover, the OEMs can plan to sell their products at affordable prices using BaaS (Battery as a Service) policy.   

Rs 20,000 Crore for Infrastructure Development: The Union Finance Minister of India has announced that Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated for infrastructure developments. This will help to boost the economy of the country and will result in fast & efficient movement of people and goods. It is also expected to create a good demand for heavy commercial vehicles in India.

EVs in Public Transport: While the Indian government didn’t make any major announcement to push the sales of private EVs in India, the Finance Minister has encouraged clean & electric vehicles in the public transport sector. This move is expected to help the electric bus and electric LCV (light commercial vehicle) manufacturing companies. However, there won’t be any major impact on the overall EV industry.  

Defence R&D Now Open to Private Players: In a bid to push private-public participation in the defence sector of India, the Indian government has allowed the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to make bids for supplying auto components to the defence sector. It is worth noting that companies like Tata Motors and Mahindra are already working with the Indian defence sector since a long time.  

Rs 2.73 Lakh Crore for Rural Markets: Finally, the last major announcement in the Union Budget 2022 that will directly or indirectly impact the automobile industry is the new MSP formula. The government has announced a Rs 2.73 lakh crore MSP (Minimum Support Price) payment along with other benefits to boost the vehicular demand in the rural markets, which include the sales of commuter two-wheelers, affordable cars and farming equipment like tractors, etc. 

Also Read: What to do if you have a 10-year-old Diesel car or 15-years old Petrol car in Delhi-NCR?

What are your thoughts on these announcements made by the Union Finance Minister for the automobile sector? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also, you can connect with us on our social media platforms, The Unbiased Blog, The Automotive Blog, and Nikhil Chawla, for all things tech and auto!

What to do if you have a 10-year-old Diesel car or 15-years old Petrol car in Delhi-NCR?

Image: Al Jazeera

Pollution is a drastic problem for people living in the Northern part of India, especially in the Delhi-NCR region. While it is all-weather trouble, every year during the winter season, the pollution levels reach an alarming level and vehicular emissions contribute a major chunk of it. In a bid to curb the pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, the NGT (National Green Tribunal) issued an order in 2015 banning diesel cars older than 10 years and petrol cars older than 15 years. 

This means that the lifecycle of diesel cars in the Delhi-NCR region is restricted to just 10 years, whereas in the rest of the parts of the country, they have a lifecycle of 15 years, like petrol cars. Now, as per the latest data, there are about 38 lakh vehicles in Delhi-NCR that are unfit to ply on public roads due to NGT and Supreme Court’s order, out of which 35 lakh units are petrol models while the remaining 3 lakh vehicles are diesel models.

Moreover, the Delhi government has de-registered those vehicles from January 2022. In case your vehicle has also been overaged and you are wondering what will happen to your vehicle? Well, fret not, as in this article, we will tell you what to do if you have a 10-year-old diesel car or 15-years old petrol car in Delhi-NCR. There are three legal options that you can consider and here we have explained each of them.

What to do if you have a 10-year-old Diesel car or 15-years old Petrol car in Delhi-NCR?

Scrapping the car: In case your vehicle has completed its lifecycle and is unfit to run on roads, the first thing which you do is scrap the vehicle. While there are no government scrapping units as of now in India, the government has started approving some private scrappage centers. The recently inaugurated Maruti Suzuki & Toyota Group’s scrapping unit in Noida (U.P.) is one such example. By scrapping their old vehicle, one can even get incentives to purchase a new vehicle.     

Converting them into an EV: Next, we have the option to convert overaged cars into electric vehicles by retrofitting them with electric conversion kits. The Delhi government has allowed the retro fitment of electric kits in ICE-powered diesel cars to extend their usage from the current 10 years to up to 15 years, albeit in electric mode. The government will empanel manufacturers of electric kits at certain locations in the national capital.  

Also Read: Sony launches XAV-AX8100 New in-car Media Receiver

Re-register the car in other states: Finally, the last option is to get your vehicle re-registered in some other state or union territory where the NGT’s rule doesn’t apply. However, one thing you must note is that for the re-registration process, one needs a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their original RTO (Regional Transport Office) and the NOC has to be procured before its lifecycle comes to an end. Failing to do so, you won’t be able to re-register your car in any state.  

So do let us know in the comments section below if this is a good move by NGT? You can also share your views with us on @nikhilchawla or @automotiveblog_

Tata Motors signs an MOU with BluSmart Mobility for expanding their all-electric fleet

Following a nation-wide launch of the XPRES –T EV in September 2021, Tata Motors, today signed an MOU with BluSmart Mobility for expanding their all-electric fleet multi-fold across Delhi NCR, and for the same, the Company has bagged a contract to supply 3,500 XPRES T EVs. This contract marks a key milestone in the electric fleet market. as more customers now prefer to travel in environment-friendly vehicles.

Also Read: Tata Motors celebrates 10,000 EV customers

According to Mr Ramesh Dorairajan, Head – Electric Vehicles (Commercial), Tata Motors, “With the XPRES- T EV, Tata Motors has developed an electric sedan exclusively for the fleet customers. We are delighted to partner with BluSmart Mobility and we are thankful to them for their continued efforts in growing the electric fleet in Delhi-NCR. The XPRES-T EV comes with optimal battery size, captive fast charging solution, which will ensure outstandingly low cost of ownership in addition to safety and passenger comfort, making it a comprehensive and attractive proposition for fleet owners and operators. We recently crossed a key milestone of 10,000 EVs on road, which is a strong testament to how our innovative electric vehicles are resonating well with customers. This order will further strengthen our roadmap of making EVs mainstream.”

Expanding their business with an additional electric fleet, Mr. Anmol Singh Jaggi, Founder & CEO, BluSmart Mobility, said, “With our recent Series A funding of USD 25 million, we at BluSmart Mobility are well-capitalized and expanding steadily into the Delhi NCR market. Tata Motors has been a great partner for a young startup like us and has supported our growth momentum significantly in times of a global supply chain crisis. This partnership with Tata Motors reinforces our belief in our electric journey and gears us well to achieve bigger scales at a much faster pace.“

BluSmart Mobility, which offers an all-electric ride-hailing service across Delhi NCR has been gaining mind share across consumers who value reliability and service quality. With more than 250,000 app downloads the challenger brand in mobility has completed more than 700,000 rides to date covering over 22 million clean KMs on electric vehicles and takes pride in being the platform of choice for not just the women users but also women driver-partners who are getting stress free equitable earning opportunity without any asset ownership hassles.

The all-new XPRES-T electric sedan packs a high energy density battery of 21.5 kWh and 16.5 kWh with 2 range options – 213km and 165km (ARAI certified range under test conditions). Available in two trim options, the XPRES-T EV comes with zero tail-pipe emission, single-speed automatic transmission, dual airbags, ABS with EBD as standard across variants. The XPRES –T EV can be charged from 0- 80% in 90 mins and 110 mins (for 16.5 kWh and 21.5 kWh respectively), using fast charging or can also be normally charged from any 15 A plug point. The premium black theme interior with standard automatic climate control and Electric Blue accents across its interior and exterior will give it a differentiated presence from other Tata cars.

With over 70% market share (YTD FY22), Tata Motors has crossed the 1000 unit volumes in September 2021 and with a strong order book, the company’s vision of creating a sustainable future in the automobile industry is being recognized and appreciated by all customers.

So do let us know what you think of this MoU between Tata Motors and BluSmart Mobility in the comments section below or reach out to us on our social media platforms.

Sony launches XAV-AX8100 New in-car Media Receiver

Sony India has introduced the new XAV-AX8100 in-car media receiver, offering new utility features, powerful sound and smart features. The XAV-AX8100 is an updated model of the well-regarded current product (XAV-AX8000) with new HDMI connectivity while maintaining all the sophisticated design, seamless utility, smart features, and powerful experience.

The HDMI input in XAV-AX8100 offers flexible audio-visual connectivity for more entertainment options

The newly added HDMI connectivity in the XAV-AX8100 in-car media receiver allows users to hook up external audio and visual source device.

Improved visibility on 22.7 cm (8.95) anti-glare display with clear responsive touchscreen

The XAV-AX8100 features a 22.7 cm (8.95) large display which makes it convenient for the driver while getting directions, looking for a song on their smartphones, or customizing their audio. The display panel features an “anti-glare” clear responsive touch which makes it easy for the driver to see for safer use on the road.

Connect your smartphone with XAV-AX8100 for reliable and responsive infotainment

XAV-AX8100 gives the flexibility to the driver to connect their smartphones via multiple platforms such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Web Link. Apple CarPlay integrates an iPhone with the car audio’s display and controls, enabling users to make phone calls, access music, send and receive messages, get directions optimized for traffic and more while the driver stays focused on the road. Apple CarPlay now supports third-party navigation apps, so it provides even more choices to get to the destination. Designed with safety and convenience in mind, Android Auto is a simpler way to use a smartphone with the car’s display. Drivers can stay focused, connected and entertained, keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, while using voice to help with daily tasks.

WebLink is a lightweight app delivery platform designed especially for in-vehicle use. Using an Android or iOS device connection, it can mirror a smartphone screen right on the car audio display to offer reliable, responsive infotainment. Use the connected rearview camera when shifting the vehicle’s transmission lever to the reverse position or simply tap the Rear Camera icon on the home screen. Drivers are ready to go right after turning on the ignition.

3-way adjustable and sturdy display mount for flexible installation

The sturdily built XAV-AX8100 features a 3-way adjustable display mount that works in three directions. The display gives the driver multiple ways to adjust the screen and offer flexible visibility while driving. The flexible installation option also allows the AX8100 to be installed in a variety of vehicles.

Enjoy a clear sound with less distortion with the 5 Volt signal and 3 pre-out connectivity

Sony’s head unit with high voltage 3-pre out offers a 5-volt signal, offering clearer sound with less distortion. Digital Sound Processing (DSP) enables drivers to adjust while creating a sound field ideal for the inside of vehicles. The Dynamic Stage Organizer (DSO) creates an ambient sound as if there were speakers on the dashboard. The 10-band equalizer (EQ10) with 10 presets offers easy and effective frequency adjustment for various listening environments. Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) compresses without any loss in quality. It can playback FLAC files with up to 24-bit depth and sampling frequency at 48 kHz.

Price and Availability

The new XAV-AX8100 is available in car showrooms and car accessories shops across India.

Model Best Buy (in INR) Availability
XAV-AX8100 Rs. 36,990 4th October 2021 onwards

Okinawa Set To Go 100 % localised to reinforces its commitment to Aatmannirbhar Bharat

Okinawa Autotech, one of India’s highest-selling electric two-wheeler manufacturers is all set to go 100% localized by the end of this fiscal year. The company stands committed to the Government of India’s strong vision to turn the country independent and thus move one step closer to “AtmaNirbhar Bharat”.

To meet the emerging demand for electric two-wheelers on account of increasing awareness, Okinawa is investing 200-250 Cr in its new manufacturing plant in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. Becoming 100% localised is aimed at helping the company attain customer confidence and increase brand trust.

Commenting on the development, Mr Jeetender Sharma, MD and Founder, Okinawa Autotech states: “At present, Okinawa is proudly over 92 per cent localized and we are aiming to go for 100 per cent localized components by the end of this year. We are working rigorously with our suppliers to fill in such gaps and reduce our dependence on imports. This will provide a push to local component manufacturers to bolster the domestic supply chain and help to strengthen the automotive industry from its core. The auto sector is one of the key drivers of the Indian economy and we aim to contribute further to the “Make in India. Made for India vision.”

Okinawa is at the forefront of mass penetration of Electric Two-Wheelers in India with a range of electric scooters to cater to the dynamic needs of the customers. It has thus cemented its leadership position amongst the masses by delivering high-quality and excellent performance. While the pandemic had an inevitable impact on the auto industry, resulting in lesser sales than anticipated; Okinawa has retained its position as the second most selling E2W in India.