In a comprehensive interview with Nepal Drives, R Dilip, President – International Business, TVS Motor Company, details the company’s outlook towards the Nepalese market, the popularity of TVS NTORQ 125, and the roadmap ahead.

How important is Nepal as a market for TVS Motor Company? How does it contribute to the business?

Nepal has been a key market for TVS Motor Company playing a pivotal role in the company’s international business achieving a sales milestone of 100,000 units, in March 2021. Our products have performed well in the country due to the definite shift to premiumisation and a clear trend towards scooterisation.

This reflects in the growing sales of products such as the sporty smart scooter TVS NTORQ 125, and premium TVS Apache motorcycle series. In fact, TVS NTORQ 125 recently crossed the sales milestone of 50,000 units in the country. We are grateful to our customers for their consistent faith and will continue to build on the TVS ‘Trust’ factor with our superior products and service proposition.

How has Scooterisation developed in the region over the past few years? Or why do people prefer scooters in Nepal?

The positive demand for scooters in Nepal can be attributed to the factors such as infrastructure improvement, the need for multi-utility vehicles and growing demand for safe personal mobility, owing to the pandemic. Key cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara are witnessing a strong demand for scooters along with Butwal and Hetauda.

The company has been at the forefront of scooterisation with the connected scooter TVS NTORQ 125 leading the wave, followed by TVS Jupiter Classic and TVS Wego. Each product caters to the requirement of a distinct target audience ranging from young riders to women and family.

What are the strategic investments into aspects like technology and expansion that the company is focusing on for global markets?

TVS Motor Company always looks to match mutual synergies that enhance customer delight. Investments in technology and the future of mobility will be important for us in the next phase of our growth and transformation.

Globally, customers prefer Indian brands because they offer better quality, durability, and higher fuel economy. A one-size-fits-all approach for technology will not work in wooing global customers, and customised innovation is the way forward. While we invest in many technological firsts, the product portfolio developed by Indian R&D teams for International Markets focuses on catering to diverse customer preferences and varied terrain.

The 50,000 units sales milestone is a reinforcement of our commitment to grow the TVS NTORQ tribe by setting benchmarks in innovation and creating aspirations for customers.

Congratulations on the 50,000 unit sales milestone for TVS NTORQ 125!  What are the future plans for the brand in Nepal?

Thank you. We are delighted and humbled that the TVS NTORQ 125 family is large and growing in the country. Since its launch, the scooter has become a favourite among Gen Z customers in Nepal. Its striking appearance, connected technology, and performance have been a hallmark of the TVS NTORQ 125 brand experience. This achievement is a reinforcement of our commitment to grow the TVS NTORQ tribe by setting benchmarks in innovation and creating aspirations for customers. We will complement this with dedicated customer satisfaction initiatives.

How has the response been for the SuperSquad Edition?

The response to SuperSquad Edition has been very encouraging. It has been successful in creating a ‘Wow Factor’ for the Gen Z favourite youth machine – TVS NTORQ 125. We have supplemented the launch with targeted interventions such as sponsoring the popular PUBG Championship 2021. We will continue taking such strategic steps towards creating dynamic, youthful platforms which will build the TVS NTORQ 125 community in Nepal.

Has the pandemic fuelled the demand for two-wheelers in Nepal?  

The mobility needs of customers have dynamically evolved across markets due to the pandemic. Commuters who never considered anything other than public transport for commuting, are walking into showrooms to buy their first two-wheeler or buying one for a family member. In this scenario, there is an immense potential for good quality, affordable, reliable, and economical to run products offered by a range player like TVS Motor Company.