TVS eyes greater traction in scooter market with new Scooty Zest

The scooter segment, which has been growing over 25 percent in the past few years, is projected to continue posting double-digit growth largely due to changing customer preferences. Eyeing a larger share in the segment, TVS Motor Co today launched its latest offering, the 110cc Scooty Zest for Rs 42,300 (ex-showroom, Delhi), expanding its automatic scooter range that includes the 109.7cc Wego and Jupiter.

At present, the company has the Jupiter, Wego, Scooty Pep Plus and Scooty Streak in its scooter stable. With the launch of the Scooty Zest, it expects the scooter segment to contribute a volume of about 100,000 units a month within a year as against current sales of about 60,000 scooters a month.

Speaking at the launch today in Chennai, Venu Srinivasan, chairman and managing director, said that over the past two years the company has been understanding customer needs in the scooter segment and addressing the market with the right products. “With the launch of the Scooty Zest, it will take the scooter segment to a new level,” he said. TVS’ latest scooter will be available across India. K N Radhakrishnan, president, revealed that Rs 70 crore has been spent on the development of the Scooty Zest.

The Scooty Zest 110 is powered by a four-stroke, 109.7cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled and carbureted engine that develops 7.9bhp at 7500rpm, transferred to the rear wheel through a CVTI automatic transmission system from TVS. Maximum torque output is 0.89kgm at 5500rpm.

The Scooty Zest, which is targeted at 18-to-25-year-old riders, goes from 0-60kph in 11.1 seconds, has an underseat storage of 19 litres and claimed mileage of 62kpl. The company says the ergonomically designed scooter has good maneuverability, superior road grip, stability and control. 

TVS plans to launch a new product every quarter in this fiscal year. As part of this strategy, it rolled out the 110cc Star City + commuter bike this May. Now after today Scooty Zest’s launch, the others expected are two motorcycles – a refurbished 150cc Victor and then an Apache.