Motorcycles and Scooters: Royal Enfield to Ola and Gogoro — 2026-10-02

Top developments

Royal Enfield Sets All-Time Monthly Sales Record with 1.34 Lakh Units

Royal Enfield sold 1,33,958 motorcycles in September 2026, marking its highest-ever monthly sales with 8% year-on-year growth. Domestic sales reached 1,21,326 units (up 7%), while exports jumped 17% to 12,632 units. The surge was driven by strong demand for models up to 350cc, including the Classic 350 and Hunter 350, and EV motorcycles saw a 13% rise ahead of the festive season. However, sales of bikes above 350cc declined 26% from September 2025.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 440 Hits 6-Month Waiting Period; Bookings Halted

The newly launched Himalayan 440 generated such massive demand that Royal Enfield was forced to pause bookings after the waiting period extended to approximately six months. The adventure-tourer model, positioned as the spiritual successor to the original Himalayan, has struck a chord with buyers seeking a larger-displacement, capable motorcycle.

India's Electric Two-Wheeler Market Crosses 15 Lakh Units in Nine Months

Cumulative electric two-wheeler registrations in India reached 15.61 lakh units during January–September 2026, with September adding approximately 1.8 lakh units. The market is dominated by established manufacturers: TVS Motor led with 26.3% market share, followed by Bajaj Auto at 23.5%, Ather Energy at 14.7%, and Hero MotoCorp-backed VIDA at 11.7%. Ola Electric's share fell to 6.5% in September from 7.6% in August.

Ola S1 Z Launched Under ₹1 Lakh with 301 km Range

Ola Electric launched its budget-focused S1 Z electric scooter with a starting price below ₹1 lakh, claiming up to 301 km of range on a full charge. The move marks Ola's continued push into the entry-level EV segment to compete with mass-market offerings from TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak.

Ather Crosses 8 Lakh Electric Scooters Sold; Konark Model Launched

Ather Energy became India's fourth manufacturer to cross 8 lakh electric scooter sales. The company launched the Konark model (the name references a revered Indian heritage site), offering up to 200 km range with a starting price of ₹99,999 and featuring a 10-year battery warranty.

Italian Two-Wheeler Market Growth Continues; September +7.86%

Italy's two-wheeler market grew 7.86% in September 2026, with 33,061 new immatricolations. Scooters led growth at +11.2%, while motorcycles recovered with +7.9% growth after two months of decline. Electric two-wheelers surged +48%, and quadricycles climbed +47.5%. The nine-month cumulative growth stands at +10.9%.

Gogoro Expands Battery-Swap Network into Vietnam

Taiwan's Gogoro has begun setting up battery-swap stations in Vietnam, with at least three stations already installed in Ho Chi Minh City. On September 29, 2026, Be Group and Castrol Gogoro Mobility signed a memorandum of understanding to pilot a smart battery-swapping ecosystem for two-wheeled electric motorcycles tailored to Vietnam's operating conditions.

Local view

Hindi media sentiment: Prabhat Khabar noted Royal Enfield's historic 1.34 lakh monthly sales and the 6-month Himalayan 440 waiting period as evidence of the brand's strong festive-season momentum and pent-up demand in the mid-capacity segment. NavBharat Times highlighted India's electric two-wheeler milestone (15+ lakh units in nine months) as a sign of accelerating EV adoption across income tiers, with TVS and Bajaj's iQube/Chetak models driving mainstream penetration beyond Ola's premium positioning.

Italian media sentiment: Moto.it and CrazyWheels reported September's 7.86% growth as confirmation that the European market remains resilient despite earlier concerns. Coverage emphasized Honda and BMW's competitive positioning, with the TRK 902 (Benelli) and BMW R 1300 GS trading leadership roles in different segments.

Context & numbers

India two-wheeler market (September 2026):

• Royal Enfield total: 1,33,958 units (+8% YoY)
• Royal Enfield domestic: 1,21,326 units (+7% YoY)
• Royal Enfield exports: 12,632 units (+17% YoY)
• Above-350cc sales: −26% YoY

India electric two-wheeler market (9-month cumulative, Jan–Sep 2026):

• Total cumulative registrations: 15.61 lakh units
• September registrations: ~1.8 lakh units
• TVS Motor market share (Sep): 26.3%
• Bajaj Auto market share (Sep): 23.5%
• Ather Energy market share (Sep): 14.7%
• Hero MotoCorp/VIDA market share (Sep): 11.7%
• Ola Electric market share (Sep): 6.5% (down from 7.6% in August)

Italy motorcycle/scooter market (September 2026):

• Total immatricolations: 33,061 units (+7.86%)
• Scooters: +11.2%
• Motorcycles: +7.9%
• Electric two-wheelers: +48%
• Quadricycles: +47.5%
• 9-month YTD growth: +10.9%

On the radar

• Gogoro's Vietnam expansion timeline: Battery-swap network rollout pace and partnership depth with Be Group will signal Gogoro's commitment to Southeast Asia as a growth region beyond Taiwan and India.
• Royal Enfield export momentum: The 17% export growth in September suggests international demand may sustain through Q3 FY27; watch for feedback on Himalayan 440 appeal in developed markets.
• Ola Electric market recovery: With share dipping to 6.5%, watch whether the S1 Z sub-₹1 lakh launch and aggressive pricing can recapture September momentum into festive season (Oct–Nov).
• EICMA 2026 announcements: Italian media flagged "announcement syndrome" ahead of EICMA; upcoming show (typically November) will clarify which European manufacturers are reviving mid-capacity platforms to compete with Asian imports.