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— Bijoy Ghosh

New models: (From left) Mr M.M. Murugappan, Chairman of Tube Investments of India Ltd; Tamannaah, film actor and brand ambassador for BSA Motors; Mr M.A. Alagappan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa Corporate Board; and Mr L. Ramkumar, Managing Director, Tube Investments of India, at the launch in Chennai on Monday.

Our Bureau

Chennai, Nov. 10 BSA Motors, a new business unit of Tube Investments of India (part of Murugappa group), on Monday launched five models of eScooters in the city. With components sourced from various vendors in India, Korea and Taiwan, these electric scooters are assembled at the company’s plant in Ambattur.

Priced in the range of Rs 29,000 – Rs 36,000, these vehicles are targeted at the youth segment. According to Mr M.M. Murugappan, Chairman of Tube Investments, the Rs 450-crore eScooter market is expected to double in a year’s time.

He said the company, in the first phase, has invested Rs 20 crore in the plant in Chennai. It will have facilities for painting, assembly and testing of vehicles. To start with, BSA will produce 150 scooters a day, and it will be doubled in six months.

Charged fully (6 to 8 hours), the vehicles can run up to 80 km, depending upon the model. The maintenance-free batteries will last for two years on an average and the replacement would cost around Rs 7,000.

Mr Murugappan said BSA Motors has appointed two dealers in Chennai and will appoint 40 more in the next couple of months across the South and Goa. “Our intention is to have at least 75 dealers in the South, before we foray into the other geographies,” he said.

The company has tied up with Chola DBS and Shriram for financing, and ICICI Lombard for insurance.

BSA Motors has also signed on South Indian actress Tamannah Bhatia to endorse the brand.

More Stories on : New Products & Services | Two/Three Wheelers | Non-conventional Energy

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