TVS Apache regains sales lead over TVS Raider after four quarters

TVS Motor Co’s flagship motorcycle Apache has regained its lead over its more recently launched sibling, the TVS Raider 125, in the domestic market. As per the latest two-wheeler industry wholesales data, the TVS Apache series has sold a total of 120,588 units (up 11%) in April-June 2024, the first quarter of FY2025, compared to the TVS Raider’s 118,197 units (up 7% YoY). This gives the Apache a slender lead of 2,391 units over the Raider 125 but one that comes after four quarters or 12 months.

As per the wholesales data of the two TVS models (given below), the Apache had led the Raider in Q1 FY2024 (April-June 2023) but lost it in Q2 FY2024 with a sharp 37% quarter-on-quarter drop in sales to 68,072 units, compared to the Raider’s 128,028 units. The Raider held on to the sales lead Q3 and Q4 of FY2024 with over 120,000 units sold in each.

April-June 2024 sales of 120,588 units give the TVS Apache series a slender lead of 2,391 units over the TVS Raider 125's 118,197 units. 

The Raider 125, which is TVS Motor Co’s first 125cc motorcycle, was the company’s best-selling motorcycle in FY2024, selling 478,443 units (up 100% YoY) to race ahead of the TVS Apache series’ 378,072 units by 100,341 units. It was also TVS’ third-best-selling product after the flagship Jupiter scooter and the XL moped (481,803 units), in FY2024 missing out on the second spot by just 3,360 units. In April 2024, the Raider surpassed the 800,000 units milestone, taking a scant 31 months from launch on September 16, 2021, and efficiently capturing demand in the rapidly-growing 125cc commuter motorcycle market as also Gen-Z motorcycle buyers.

The TVS Apache series comprises two categories – Naked and Super Sport – currently spanning 14 variants. The RTR (Racing Throttle Response) series comprises the Apache RTR 160, Apache RTR 160 4V, Apache RTR 165 RP, Apache RTR 180, Apache RTR 200 4V and Apache RTR 310, positioned in the naked motorcycles category. In the Super Sports category, the company rode into the super-premium space in 2017 with the Apache RR 310 (Race Replica). In 2021, TVS introduced the BTO (Built-To-Order) platform for the TVS Apache RR 310 in 2021.

The past eight months have seen TVS launch new iterations of the Apache series, which have helped accelerate sales of this brand. In September 2023, the Apache RTR 310, built around the company’s track-to-road philosophy, was launched. Three months later, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V rolled out and, more recently, on July 10, the Apache RTR 160 Racing Edition priced at Rs 129,000 was introduced in the market.

The Apache versus Raider 125 ‘friendly’ battle will continue this fiscal. On the cumulative sales front since the Raider 125’s launch in September 2021, the Apache series with 10,50,113 units still maintains a lead over the Raider’s 912,770 units.