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BSA MOTORS LAUNCHES largest range of e-SCOOTERS IN INDIA
 
       
    Chennai, Nov 10, 2008  
       
    Plans to sell around 60000 e-Scooters in 2009

   Unveils BSA Motors logo
   Announces Actress Tamannah as Brand Ambassador
   Price range between Rs. 29,000 to Rs. 37,000

Chennai, 10th November 2008: BSA Motors, a Strategic Business Unit of Tube Investments of India, part of the Rs.9582 crore (USD 2.4billion) Murugappa Group, launched five models of BSA eScooters today in the city. The eScooters are manufactured at the BSA Motors new plant in Ambattur, with an initial investment of Rs 200 million.The Ambattur plant has an initial production capacity of 150 e-Scooters a day which can be ramped upto 300 units per day as and when required. The first batch of e-Scooters would be rolled out from Chennai on 10th Nov 2008.

BSA Motors announced Actress Tamannah the rising star in south Indian movies as the brand ambassador for BSA eScooters, to create strong linkage with the target audience of the age group between 14 to 30 years.
She has acted in trendsetting films like Happy days in Telugu and Kalloori in Tamil.
Mr.M.A.Alagappan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa Group launched the product range. The management of BSA Motors comprises of Mr. M.M. Murugappan, , Chairman, Tube Investments of India, Mr L Ramkumar MD –TII, Mr. Arun Alagappan, Senior Vice President, BSA Motors and Mr. K.B. Srinivasan, General Manager, BSA Motors.

The five models of the BSA eScooters are,
 
   
  Smile - The most competitively priced e-Scooter in the country for the age group of 13 to 18 years; 250 W, top speed of 25kmph. License and Registration is not required for riding this scooter.
  Diva - First e-Scooter designed exclusively for girls in the age group of 16 to 20 years; 250 W, top speed of 25kmph. License and Registration is not required for riding this scooter.
  Street Rider - Unisex sportz model from teen to twenties; 250 W, top speed of 25kmph. License and Registration is not required for riding this scooter.
  Roamer - For working men and women for the age group of 18 to 25 years; 500 W, top speed of 40kmph.
  Roamer+ - The Family bike; 800W, top speed of 45kmph, requires licence and registration.
 
       
    Commenting on the occasion, Mr. M M Murugappan, Chairman, Tube Investments of India said, “We see our entry into the electric two wheeler market as a logical extension of our current business, from bicycles to electric two wheelers. The eBikes is presently a Rs.450 crores market in India and the industry is expected to double in a year’s time. BSA’s foray into the eBikes category helps us to expand our portfolio in the two wheeler market. He also added, “BSA eScooters will undoubtedly be the next big success from TII.”

The Ambattur plant will have facility for painting, assembly and testing of eBikes. Key parts like motor, controller, battery, lamps, wheel discs, tyres & tubes have been sourced from reputed automotive vendors. The plant is equipped with state of art technology with comprehensive full vehicle performance testing with a test track, motorized conveyor assembly line with modern assembly tools.

The BSA eScooters are authorized and certified by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to be used in public roads in India. Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries and BLDC Motors make BSA eScooters 100% maintenance free and trouble free. The BSA eScooters have an efficiency of 82-85% in comparison to petrol run vehicles which has an efficiency of 35-38%.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Arun Alagappan, Senior Vice President - BSA Motors , said, “BSA Motors a Strategic Business Unit was consciously formed to ensure focus and attention to the growing scooter market in India. The BSA marketing team is constantly tracking leading style and fashion trends among the youth and their way of life. Hence, care has been taken on every aspect of the marketing mix to suit it to the target group. He also added, “Our initial thrust will be in the southern market and would be accessible with wide range of dealership network.”

Each scooter will have 4 color options with the exception of Diva which will have 5 options. The unique features of these eScooter models are its protective safety switch, twin passenger foot rest, ergonomically designed seats, great storage space, side reflectors and many more innovative features. The forte of BSA Motors lies in Product design and top notch quality. Out of the five models, three models are in 250 watts, one in 500 watts and one in 800 watts. BSA Motors initially plans to set up 45 exclusive dealerships before December 2008 in states of TN,AP, Karnataka, Kerala & Goa. All BSA Motors showrooms in the country will also have service centres to provide complete service and satisfaction to the BSA customers.

For effective after sales service, BSA Motors plans to set up a centralized customer care call centre. The customers can call on GSM and Toll free VSNL number or send SMS for product queries ,test rides and service related issues.