Yamaha Neo's India Launch Plans Canned, But There's A Good News!
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A new premium EV specifically for the Indian market is in the making
Yamaha initially had plans to introduce the Neo's electric scooter in India, but the Japanese bikemaker has now decided to cancel those plans. Instead, Yamaha will shift its focus towards developing a more premium and sporty electric offering.
Last year, Yamaha announced its intentions to launch the Neo's in India after making necessary adjustments to suit the Indian market conditions. However, in the last year, there have been significant changes in regulations and subsidies in India, leading Yamaha to reconsider its plans.
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According to Eishin Chihana, Yamaha India’s Chairman, in an interview with a publication, while the Indian electric vehicle market tends to prioritize value, there is still a demand for premium and aspirational products, both in the electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) segments. Taking this into account, Yamaha aims to create something that is "exciting, stylish, and sporty." Chihana also emphasized that the upcoming e-scooter will focus more on reinforcing the brand's image rather than achieving high sales volumes.
Considering this perspective, it is expected that Yamaha will develop an electric scooter resembling models like the Ather 450X, Ola S1 Pro, or Simple One, possibly offering even more performance and more outlandish design. Scrapping the plans for the Neo's is a logical decision since it was primarily designed for European riders and adapting it by using components specific for Indian use might not yield foolproof results. This explains why Yamaha intends to develop a new product from scratch, taking Indian riding conditions into account.
Although development has already begun, the final product is still a few years away from being released. As a result, Yamaha will have to price the product without relying on FAME 2 subsidies. It remains to be seen what exactly Yamaha has in store for the future, but it’s just a matter of time.
Nishad