TVS, BMW Motorrad expand partnership to future tech and EVs

TVS Motor Company and BMW Motorrad have announced that they are extending and expanding their long-term partnership with the joint development of new platforms and future technologies, including Electric Vehicles (EVs). 

TVS Motor Co’s scope will include the design and development of future BMW Motorrad products and delivering world-class quality, supply chain management, and industrialisation. Under this enhanced cooperation, they have identified a range of products and technologies to deliver significant business benefits.

On October 14, 2021, TVS Motor rolled out the 100,000^th BMW Motorrad 310 motorcycle from its Hosur plant, seven years after the partnership was inked.  

L-R: KN Radhakrishnan, Director &a CEO, TVS Motor Co, with Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, at the milestone 1000,000th G 310 bike rollout. 

First new product on common platform by 2023
BMW Motorrad and TVS will develop common platforms by mutually tapping the emerging technologies in the future mobility space, keeping in mind the global requirements of customer segments in various markets. Exclusive products for both companies will be developed on these common platforms, and the two OEMs will retail their products globally.

TVS will continue to bring on board engineering prowess in design, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities and provide best-in-class quality and economic advantage. The first product through this cooperation will be showcased in the next 24 months.

Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, "In the nine years of our long-term strategic partnership, we have always cherished the common core values we share with BMW Motorrad: focus on quality, engineering prowess, innovation and customer satisfaction. These factors and our commitment to deliver superior quality products with a strong value proposition has been key to the success of all three products launched from the platform. The new world of future mobility encompasses a strong play through alternate solutions, including electric mobility.Expanding this successful partnership to EVs and other newer platforms will create opportunities to deliver advanced technology and aspirational products to global markets and bring valuable synergies to both companies.”

Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad,said, “In light of our fruitful association with TVS Motor Company, we are delighted to extend and expand our cooperation agreement to include long-term partnership and joint development of new platforms and technologies, including electric vehicles. Our strong synergies have led to the development of impressive offerings in the sub-500cc segment. Since the launch, BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS single-cylinder models continue to enjoy unrivalled popularity with over 100,000 global customers.We look forward to the future of this cooperation.”

In April 2013, TVS Motor Co and BMW Motorrad signed a long-term strategic partnership to manufacture sub-500cc motorcycles for the globe. This collaboration has resulted in three products on the 310cc platform: BMW G 310 R, BMW 310 GS, and TVS' Apache RR 310. With over 100,000 customers, the products have been well accepted in all the leading markets like the EU, USA, Japan, China and India.  The success of this cooperation has been the steppingstone of extending and expanding the partnership.

BMW Motorrad has been working on electric two-wheeler concepts. In early September, it unveiled the Concept CE 02, a new interpretation of smart, urban single-track mobility. The company says the EV concept is neither a classic motorcycle nor a scooter. It was showcased at IAA Mobility 2021.

Lightweight electric two-wheeler with 11 kW has a top speed of 90kph and a range of 90km; designed for urban use and offers a high fun factor as well.

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BMW Motorrad India sells 5,000 bikes in 2021, G 310s clock 4,500 units