Chennai-based two-wheeler major TVS Motor Company will take a call on increasing product prices by the end of this month.

The decision is likely to be governed by the movement of raw material prices. “The raw material prices are still very volatile and it is impacting us. Currently, we are doing the review and by the month-end, we will reach a decision,” TVS Motor Company President (Marketing), Mr H. S. Goindi, said on Friday.

Earlier in January, TVS had increased prices of its vehicles by 1-2 per cent, added Mr Goindi. “We do review the prices in every quarter,” he said.

Apache RTR ABS

Mr Goindi was speaking at the launch of the ABS (anti-lock breaking system) equipped version of TVS' premium bike, the Apache RTR 180. The bike has been priced at Rs 78,880 (ex-showroom Delhi).

“This is the first Indian two-wheeler which has come with an ABS. This will enhance our brand value,” Mr Goindi said.

The Apache RTR ABS is also equipped with RLP (Rear Wheel Lift-off Protection) system which regulates deceleration when the bike is likely to lift off during emergency braking situations, and takes control, with no loss of stopping distance.

Electric scooters

TVS is also working on re-entering the electric scooter market. Mr Goindi said that test runs of about 50 electric scooters are being carried out across cities across the country.

“We are working on introducing electric scooters and these are being experimented upon for the launch. By some time next fiscal, it will come (to the market),” he said.

“We will launch only scooters in electric mode. The products will initially run on lead acid batteries and later we may develop some other technology also,” he added. The company will produce these new products at its Mysore facility.

Earlier, TVS had launched electric scooterette ‘Scooty Teenz Electric' in April 2008 with hopes of selling around 40,000 units per year. However, it stopped the production in May 2009 as it received a lukewarm response from the market.

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