KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Japanese bikemaker has already invested in the River Indie.
- Yamaha is said to be considering performance EVs instead of the affordable segment.
Yamaha India may now be among the few Japanese players that are yet to enter the Indian EV segment, as some of its rivals have finally arrived. However, Yamaha might finally be looking to change this, as some new details have recently emerged.
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Yamaha Considering EV Platform For India: Details
According to reports, while most two-wheeler makers have chosen to focus on the affordable end of the spectrum, Yamaha is said to be focusing on the performance end. The Japanese two-wheeler maker has reportedly said that performance electric scooters will align better with its brand image. This sets it apart from Honda and Suzuki, both of which have stuck to the commuter segment and have chosen to capitalize on the success of the Activa and Access.
This strategy also sounds rather familiar to what Yamaha initially did on entering India back in the 80s, with the legendary RD350 and the RX100. While the Japanese bikemaker believes that it wants to go the performance route with EVs, it also understands that high-performance EVs will require bigger battery packs, which in turn will drive up costs further, that too in a cost-sensitive market like ours.
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Interestingly, in a funding round held sometime last year, Yamaha invested over Rs 300 crore in Bengaluru-based EV manufacturer River, which currently produces the Indie electric scooter. It is possible that Yamaha may look to utilize the Indie's platform.
When can we expect to see Yamaha's first EV in action? While the Japanese two-wheeler maker has not commented explicitly on a timeline, we can expect an official teaser closer to the unveil/launch date.
Verdict
The fact that Yamaha is looking to enter the EV market through the performance segment will certainly set it apart from its competitors. It will be interesting to see how Yamaha manages to counter the cost-related battery issues in the coming months.
