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Two of the most anticipated motorcycle debuts in India, the BMW F 450 GS and the Brixton Storr 500, will no longer make their planned debut at India Bike Week 2025. Both models were slated to be unveiled at the annual motorcycling festival, which itself saw weeks of uncertainty around its dates and venue. Now, shortly after IBW finalised its schedule for December 19-20 in Panchgani, two major participants have opted out of showcasing their new models at the event.
BMW’s F 450 GS, developed jointly with TVS and manufactured in India, was revealed globally at EICMA 2025. Several reports previously indicated that the motorcycle would be launched at IBW. However, we understand that BMW Motorrad is now preparing for an India launch in January 2026, with deliveries expected to begin from February 2026.
TVS and BMW have already commenced production of the made-in-India F 450 GS at TVS Motor Company’s Hosur facility. The motorcycle will essentially be the new entry point into BMW’s adventure lineup, taking over from the discontinued G 310 GS.
The Brixton Storr 500 has also been pushed from its original India debut plan. Parent company Motohaus has confirmed that the showcase will not take place at IBW 2025, and a revised launch timeline is yet to be finalised. The middle-weight adventure motorcycle was first revealed at Motohaus’ global headquarters in Austria and is now likely to arrive in India sometime in 2026.
Motohaus had also planned to reintroduce FB Mondial to the Indian market at IBW. The historic Italian marque, known for motorcycle racing, was set to mark its return with the Piega 452, a streetfighter-style model already on sale in Europe. With the Storr 500 postponed, the revised timeline for Mondial’s India re-entry also remains uncertain but that too is expected to be in calendar year 2026.
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Kia’s push towards electrification could see it delve into the electric sports car segment with a sleek four-door coupe that could become the spiritual successor to the Stinger sports sedan. The Stinger was Kia’s attempt at a sporty four-door sedan that made its global debut at the North American International Auto Show 2018 and was sold in global markets up till 2023 before being axed.
The new teasers preview a sleek coupe-style sedan with a cab-forward design replete with a short bonnet and a flowing roofline flowing till the tip of the boot lid. Interesting design elements visible include an oversized glasshouse with the front windshield flowing well into the roof, with a similarly large rear windshield as well. The front fenders also feature wing-like extensions atop the wheel arches, featuring illuminated elements along the spine and what looks to be camera modules at the tip of the trailing edge – no conventional mirrors are visible. The front fascia also looks to feature slim LED lighting elements, while around the back, inverted L-shaped tail lamps and an integrated lip spoiler are visible.
The proportions of the sedan look to rule out a conventional internal combustion powertrain, suggesting that the sedan concept is likely to be all-electric. Kia’s tag line of ‘A new future is on the horizon. Our vision will take shape soon.’ Suggests that the model could be the precursor to an all-new generation of EVs from the company, though it remains to be seen if it will use the e-GMP platform, an evolution of the same or arrive on an all-new platform.
Another explanation for the origins of the concept could hark back to Kia’s CEO Investor Day earlier this year. At the event, Kia mentioned the unveiling of a new SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) Pace Car in 2026 that would act as a showcase of its latest developments in the field of automated driving technologies and more. The mystery concept could very well be this very vehicle and act as a technological showcase of the brand’s upcoming in-car and automated driving technologies ahead of its integration into its future vehicles. Kia has previously confirmed that it would start rolling out Level 2+ automated driving tech into its vehicles from 2027, with the SDV Pace Car likely to preview the tech ahead of its public rollout.
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Watch company Titan and Italian motorcycle brand Ducati have teamed up to introduce a new lineup of watches for the Indian market. The two companies have collaborated on several collections in the past, and this latest launch adds 43 new quartz timepieces inspired by Ducati’s motorcycle design language. However, it's important to note these watches are not manufactured by Titan.
To bring the new collection of watches to India, Ducati has appointed Titan Company Limited as its licensing partner for retail distribution, brand presence, and nationwide expansion. The models will be sold through Titan’s retail network, which includes Helios and Titan World stores across the country.
Prices for the new range start at Rs 15,000 and go up to Rs 30,000. Titan will handle distribution and retail operations, while the watches themselves are produced by Ducati’s global manufacturing partners. Some of the watches that were present at the launch are named Supermoto, Extreme Sports and Corse.
The design of the new collection draws heavily from Ducati’s performance motorcycles. The watches feature elements such as instrumentation-inspired dials, red accents, and more.
Speaking at the launch, Alessandro Cicognani, Head – Brand Licensing,
Sponsorship & Sport Marketing, Ducati, said: “Ducati stands for emotion - the moment when man locks in with the machine and speed finds its pulse. This watch collection carries that feeling beyond the motorcycle. It’s for every Ducati fan who wants the rush to stay with them.”
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Luxury car maker Lexus India added a new entry trim to the RX SUV range. The RX which till was being offered only in the more premium F-Sport grade is now also available in a most affordable ‘Exquisite’ grade. Prices for the new RX350h Exquisite start at Rs. 89.99 lakh, ex-showroom while the a more premium version with Mark Levinson audio system will set you back by Rs. 92.02 lakh. The RX 500h F-Sport+ continues to priced at Rs. 1.09 crore, ex-showroom and also gets a Mark Levinson audio system amongst other features.
Despite being the more affordable variant the Exquisite gets some exclusive features when compared to the F-Sport. These include 8-way electric front seats and seat heaters on both the rows. It gets a semi Aniline seat cover material along with a Medium Brown Bamboo trim ornament. Other features which are shared with F-Sport include Heads up display, 3-zone climate control, 14-inch touchscreen system, connected car tech, wireless charging and seat ventilation.
Hikaru Ikeuchi, President, Lexus India, said, "As the luxury SUV segment continues to grow, the introduction of the new Exquisite grade allows us to offer guests a wider range of options and features to choose from. This enhancement reflects our continued commitment to expanding our portfolio and elevating the Lexus experience in India, supported by advanced technology and a guest-first philosophy.”
Exquisite runs on a 2.5 liter inline 4-cylinder engine along with a strong hybrid system. It delivers a combined power output of 243 bhp along with 238 Nm of peak torque. The SUV goes from 0-100 kmph in 7.90 seconds and comes with four drive modes - Normal, Eco, Sport and Custom. Along with 8 airbags, the SUV also gets ADAS functions or Lexus Safety System+ with features like Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Cross Traffic Alert and Safe Exit Assist with Blind Spot Monitor.
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Triumph Motorcycles India has announced a year-end offer for the Scrambler 400 X, giving prospective buyers complimentary accessories worth Rs 13,300. The offer is valid for purchases made between December 1 and December 31, 2025, and is limited to new customers. Existing Scrambler 400 X owners will not be eligible for this scheme.
The accessory bundle includes lower engine bars, a mudguard kit, a small flyscreen, a tank pad, a luggage rack kit, and an official Triumph Motorcycles T-shirt. Together, these add-ons total Rs 13,300 and will be provided at no additional cost to customers opting for the Scrambler 400 X during the window. The motorcycle continues to be priced at Rs 2.68 lakh (ex-showroom), with the accessory package included until the end of the month.
Positioned as the brand’s entry-level scrambler, the Scrambler 400 X is designed to handle road use as well as mild off-roading. Powering the bike is a 398 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine developing 39.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox.
The motorcycle rides on a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheel, both equipped with block-pattern tyres. Equipment highlights include a semi-digital instrument cluster, switchable dual-channel ABS, traction control, full-LED lighting, and a USB Type-C charging port.
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A year after its debut as a concept, the Kia EV2 will make its debut in production guise at the Brussels Motor Show 2026 on January 9. Teaser images of the car show the production-ready EV sitting under a thin cover, revealing proportions that are virtually unchanged from the concept, which by itself looked quite near-production from the outside.
The teasers reveal that the EV2 will carry over the split headlamp design into production, with the lighting elements arranged horizontally rather than vertically, as seen in most recent split-headlamp designs. Each side of the fascia features two vertically stacked LED daytime running lamps, with the outer units also integrating the main headlamp units. Around the rear, the low-set tail lamps are a carryover design from the concept.
Other design elements visible include the use of cladding around the wheel arches, a chunky front bumper and a prominent rear haunch.
Cabin design remains under wraps, though we expect it to share similarities with its larger siblings, with elements such as a floating dashboard, minimal physical buttons on the centre console and a pair of free-standing displays for instrumentation and infotainment.
The EV2, as mentioned in previous reports, is set to become Kia’s smallest EV on sale globally, sitting below the EV3. The EV could share some of its powertrain elements with the EV3.
The Kia Concept EV2 debuted in February 2025.
“With the EV2, we reaffirm our commitment to make electric mobility truly accessible to a broader audience - without compromise. This compact SUV delivers the innovation and the spirit of our larger EVs while fitting seamlessly into everyday life in Europe. Designed, developed, and soon to be produced in Europe, we are confident that the EV2 will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of responsible mobility across the region,” said Marc Hedrich, President & CEO of Kia Europe.
Kia has also confirmed that the company will unveil the performance-oriented GT variants of the EV3, EV4 and EV5. Prior to this, Kia is also set to unveil the new second-gen Seltos globally on December 10, 2025.
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Maruti Suzuki is all set to introduce the Indian-spec e Vitara today, December 2, 2025. Production for the model began in August 2025 at the company’s Hansalpur facility in Gujarat, and the first batch was exported in September 2025. With the India launch approaching, here is what we know so far about it.
The e Vitara takes its styling cues from the Maruti Suzuki EVX concept. The production model features angular headlamp units paired with Y-shaped DRLs and extensive cladding around the wheel arches, bumpers, and lower doors. A connected tail-lamp design has also been incorporated, closely resembling what was showcased on the EVX concept.
As for the interior, the e Vitara adopts a dashboard layout not shared with any other Maruti Suzuki model currently on sale. A pair of free-standing displays, positioned within a single housing, sits at the top of the dashboard, along with a wide, soft-touch panel across the fascia. Below the central air-conditioning vents is a small set of physical controls. The gear selector has been replaced with a rotary dial.
Globally, the e Vitara is equipped with features such as ADAS, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment display, ambient lighting, a telescopic steering wheel, keyless entry and start, four speakers, and an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror. Higher variants include additions such as 19-inch alloy wheels, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an Infinity audio system, wireless charging, fog lamps, and a 360-degree camera.
The feature set for the India-spec model has not been confirmed yet, although several of these features are expected, depending on the variants.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Battery Packs, Motor Outputs, and Range
For India, the e Vitara is likely to be offered with both of its global battery options, 49 kWh and 61 kWh, with the larger pack expected to be reserved for higher trims. Lower variants use a front-mounted motor producing 142 bhp and 192.5 Nm, while the more powerful configuration delivers 172 bhp. An AWD version is offered in international markets but has not been confirmed for India. Depending on the variant, the e Vitara has a WLTP-certified range of up to 428 km.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Rivals
Once launched, the e Vitara will compete with the Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, and the Mahindra BE 6. Sales in India will take place through Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa dealership network.
The e Vitara is manufactured exclusively at the Hansalpur plant. Mass production began on August 25, 2025, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki has stated that the India-built e Vitara will be exported to over 100 countries over time.
The first export shipment consisted of 2,900 units dispatched from Pipavav Port in Gujarat to 12 European countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Austria, and Belgium.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: UK Launch Price
In June 2025, Suzuki introduced the E Vitara to the UK market, where the entry-level Motion trim, paired with the 49 kWh battery, went on sale at £29,999 (roughly Rs 35 lakh). The range-topping Ultra AllGrip-e version, which comes with the larger 61 kWh pack and an all-wheel-drive setup, was listed at £37,799 (about Rs 44 lakh).
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Price Expectation
Although the UK pricing sits on the higher side, the model is expected to be more affordable in India since production is carried out at Suzuki Motor Gujarat’s Hansalpur facility. As for its prices, we expect it to start at around Rs 17 lakh and top out at Rs 23 lakh (ex-showroom).
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Maruti Suzuki is preparing to launch its first all-electric offering, the e Vitara, in India on December 2, 2025. Production for the model began in August 2025 at the company’s Hansalpur facility in Gujarat, and the first batch was exported in September 2025. With the India launch approaching, here is what we know so far about it.
The e Vitara takes its styling cues from the Maruti Suzuki EVX concept. The production model features angular headlamp units paired with Y-shaped DRLs and extensive cladding around the wheel arches, bumpers, and lower doors. A connected tail-lamp design has also been incorporated, closely resembling what was showcased on the EVX concept.
As for the interior, the e Vitara adopts a dashboard layout not shared with any other Maruti Suzuki model currently on sale. A pair of free-standing displays, positioned within a single housing, sits at the top of the dashboard, along with a wide, soft-touch panel across the fascia. Below the central air-conditioning vents is a small set of physical controls. The gear selector has been replaced with a rotary dial.
Globally, the e Vitara is equipped with features such as ADAS, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment display, ambient lighting, a telescopic steering wheel, keyless entry and start, four speakers, and an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror. Higher variants include additions such as 19-inch alloy wheels, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an Infinity audio system, wireless charging, fog lamps, and a 360-degree camera.
The feature set for the India-spec model has not been confirmed yet, although several of these features are expected, depending on the variants.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Battery Packs, Motor Outputs, and Range
For India, the e Vitara is likely to be offered with both of its global battery options, 49 kWh and 61 kWh, with the larger pack expected to be reserved for higher trims. Lower variants use a front-mounted motor producing 142 bhp and 192.5 Nm, while the more powerful configuration delivers 172 bhp. An AWD version is offered in international markets but has not been confirmed for India. Depending on the variant, the e Vitara has a WLTP-certified range of up to 428 km.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Rivals
Once launched, the e Vitara will compete with the Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, and the Mahindra BE 6. Sales in India will take place through Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa dealership network.
The e Vitara is manufactured exclusively at the Hansalpur plant. Mass production began on August 25, 2025, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki has stated that the India-built e Vitara will be exported to over 100 countries over time.
The first export shipment consisted of 2,900 units dispatched from Pipavav Port in Gujarat to 12 European countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Austria, and Belgium.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: UK Launch Price
In June 2025, Suzuki introduced the E Vitara to the UK market, where the entry-level Motion trim, paired with the 49 kWh battery, went on sale at £29,999 (roughly Rs 35 lakh). The range-topping Ultra AllGrip-e version, which comes with the larger 61 kWh pack and an all-wheel-drive setup, was listed at £37,799 (about Rs 44 lakh).
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Price Expectation
Although the UK pricing sits on the higher side, the model is expected to be more affordable in India since production is carried out at Suzuki Motor Gujarat’s Hansalpur facility. As for its prices, we expect it to start at around Rs 17 lakh and top out at Rs 23 lakh (ex-showroom).
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I have been to Uttarakhand several times before, and still come back with unique memories every time I visit it. The region is blessed with natural beauty, with pristine glacial streams giving birth to many a holy river, and is home to magnificent peaks that hold special reverence for devout followers of the Hindu dharma.
Before you assume it to be a pilgrimage trip blog, let me just clarify why we went into one of the remotest regions of our country, and that too on a fleet of electric cars. Yes, you read it right – we drove electric cars into a region where the road infrastructure, being constantly challenged by extremely harsh climatic conditions and frequent landslides, was always at risk. The road journey into this part of the country is not just arduous and full of adventure, but is also unthinkable for an EV road trip, as for hundreds of kilometres there’s no sign of an EV charging station. We drove parallel to the Nepal border for over 350 km to reach our final destination, just short of Lipulekh Pass bordering Tibet.
This drive was an endurance test for our electric cars, and had it not been for the long-range, heavy-duty batteries and powerful motors spinning the rear wheels, it would have been unthinkable to reach these places.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE:
We started our journey from Bareilly Cantonment, and were flagged off by senior army officials from the regiment deployed in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand we planned to visit. While the distance from Bareilly to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat is barely around 500 km, the hilly terrain and plenty of unfavourable road patches on the way made the journey pretty demanding. The hunt for compatible charging points was enough to pace us down, considering electric cars usually need more frequent halts for recharging when compared with their ICE counterparts.
Talking about charging, it’s important to note that once you cross Pilibhit after Bareilly, or Kiccha if you are going by the Nanakmatta route, there’s no fast-charging station available for the next 400 kilometres till Adi Kailash. So, for the next approximately 800 kilometres of to-and-fro journey, we were 100% reliant on the portable slow chargers that came with the electric cars.
Needless to say, but the sharp range drop for EVs during hill ascents is the next big fear you need to come to terms with, if you have already gotten over the range anxiety phenomenon, having experienced electric cars in the plains.
WHAT MADE IT POSSIBLE:
Thankfully, the cars we had for this expedition were the very capable born-electric Mahindra twins – BE 6 & XEV 9e – both equipped with massive 79 kWh batteries, and claiming a 500+ km range in regular city cycles. Even with battery sizes this large, it was still extremely difficult to predict how many miles we’d be able to leave behind at a given State of Charge (SOC). The best way to proceed was to be mindful of the distance to be covered till our next halt, and ensure that the SOC doesn’t fall below a safe 20% mark by the time we reach the location.
Additionally, no matter how big the battery is, when planning such a drive, we often fail to factor in the steepness of inclines encountered en route. The general thumb rule is: the speed of discharge is directly proportional to the degree of gradient; therefore, a steeper climb always means a risk of running out of juice much faster than expected. On the hind side, the BE 6 that we drove beautifully demonstrated how efficiently it recoups the lost energy while plying on a downhill run. Both BE 6 and XEV 9e offer three levels of regeneration, and we drove the majority of the time in L2 mode, and switched to L3 (strong regeneration) on descents.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
A quick lunch halt at Dharchula en route gave me an opportunity to cross over the Kali river through a rope bridge and be in the middle of a busy marketplace, technically a part of Nepal. Just in case you are not aware, the Kali River acts as a natural boundary between India and Nepal. Two small checkposts, one on either side of the bridge, manned by the respective defence forces, let you cross into a different country. And that’s how Nepal became the first country I visited just by showing my Aadhar card, and not my passport.
Tracing the Kali River upstream, we reached Vyas Valley. The Kali Temple situated here marks the origin of the sacred Kali River. This is where we stopped for some tea and light snacks, and it was a pleasant surprise to find a military-run Marathi canteen selling bhajiya & vada pavs alongside an army souvenirs shop, barely 10 km before the Tibet border.
Above all, visiting the sacred Adi Kailash and the beautiful sight of the revered Om Parvat overshadow all the hardships and efforts taken to come this far. The road to Nabidhang barely existed, and it is here on the way to Om Parvat that we truly felt the need for off-road tyres in place of the road-biased OEM set, but the cars climbed up well and never let us feel any dearth of torque. Driving the BE 6 from Gunji to Adi Kailash, on the other hand, was an absolute delight.
The road surface was impeccably smooth, and a complete contrast to the numerous single-lane, rocky and sometimes muddy landslide sites we had to cross to reach the other side. The evening sun simmering through the snow-covered peaks, while you can hear the water gushing through the flawlessly blue rivers along the roadside, were some moments that will never fade away from memory.
USEFUL TIPS:
If you ever happen to plan an EV drive into hilly terrain, please bookmark this page, and the following tips may be of great help:
Research and plan halts in advance: Never set out on an intercity drive or an expedition into the hills without understanding the terrain well and identifying key fast-charging stations on the planned route.
Just a 3-pin socket isn’t enough: God forbid, if you run out of charge and it looks impossible to reach the nearest charging station, please ensure the portable home charger is always handy. Look for a 15 Ampere power socket, ideally at a commercial establishment frequently running heavy loads, and with proper earthing and voltage stabilisation measures in place, and less likely to use lower-grade cables. It may appear to be an inconvenience, but please remember modern EVs may refuse to initiate charging if the system senses any safety breach.
When travelling to regions with no EV fast-charging infrastructure, make an effort to learn about the local power cut schedules and anticipate outages based on news related to landslides or other natural disasters, so you can avoid getting stuck for an additional night or more.
Don’t just blindly rely on the range as shown on the odometer. It’s calculated based on charge depletion experienced over the most recently covered distance, and if conditions change in the next few kilometres, the displayed range will change too, causing misjudgement. Keeping an eye on the SOC % may still be a better idea.
Switch off the aircon or set it at a more comfortable temperature like 22–24 degrees C. This is the biggest drain on your battery after the drivetrain, and when in doubt, use other power-saving features in the car, e.g., switching off driver aids like the ADAS system, and activating the battery saver mode. Remember that every small conservation measure will reward you with a few precious extra kilometres on the odometer.
Lastly, watch the altitude difference: The Onward journey is always more challenging than the return, so always be observant about the topography of the place and anticipate the charge requirement for the return leg.
Further, a drive into the hills can always throw unknown challenges your way, so please go thoroughly prepared and do leave us a comment below if there’s anything more you wish to know.
THE REAL REASON WE COULD ACCESS THESE HOLY SITES:
Lastly, travelling to the forward regions of our country, sharing a boundary and sometimes disputed territories with hostile neighbours, is full of unnatural risks. Inclement weather and poor road infrastructure not only make it difficult to access these places but also put immense pressure on basic supplies necessary for the survival of the locals as well as for the tourists in the region. We are thankful to the various units of the Indian Armed Forces for securing our borders and supporting us with good roads and safety back-up in case of an untoward event.
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the backing of our alert, active, and supportive Armed Forces
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Kia has finally given us an official first look at the second-generation Seltos, ahead of its global debut on December 10. The SUV has already been spotted testing several times, both here and overseas, but the first set of teaser images offers the clearest look yet at how much the Seltos is changing for its next-generation phase.
From the images, it’s clear that Kia is pushing the design towards its global design language, and the new-gen model appears to borrow some bits from the brand’s flagship Telluride SUV. The front end features a wider “Tiger Face” grille with a chrome surround, paired with tall vertical DRLs positioned right at the edges.
The profile looks equally refreshed. The teasers highlight blacked-out pillars, new flush-fitting door handles, fresh alloy wheel designs, and a kink in the window line flowing towards the rear. Around the back, the Seltos gets a full-width LED light bar that’s somewhat similar to the one on the Kia Carens Clavis. There is also a roof spoiler and a chunky silver skid plate.
As for what’s under the hood, the next-gen Seltos is expected to continue offering petrol and diesel options for the Indian market. The big addition, though, is likely to be a hybrid powertrain, which is expected to be a part of its global debut.
A division bench of the Karnataka High Court has ruled that Boman R. Irani, co-founder of Classic Legends, holds the valid rights to the Yezdi trademark. The High Court has overturned a previous single judge ruling and declared that Ideal Jawa’s prolonged non-use and failure to renew trademark registrations amounted to abandonment and reaffirmed Irani’s legitimate rights over the brand.
The High Court observed that Ideal Jawa (India) Pvt Ltd had stopped using the trademark after production of the motorcycles with the Yezdi brand stopped in 1996, allowed registrations to lapse, and took no steps to protect it. The court said that the Official Liquidator did not renew the registration of the trademarks, which expired between 2007 and 2013 though the trademark authority had served notices.
In its November 27, 2025 order, the High Court said that both Ideal Jawa and the Official Liquidator were inactive in using or renewing the trademark. The OL cannot claim ignorance of the trademark’s existence when Yezdi was Ideal Jawa’s sole business. With no business for 30 years, no renewal, no use, no protection, and trademark not even mentioned in asset sales, goodwill was extinguished, the HC noted.
The court overturned a previous order of a single judge from 2022 which had declared that Ideal Jawa (India) Ltd, Mysuru owned the Yezdi trademark and restrained Irani, Classic Legends and others from using the trademark “Yezdi.” The division bench of the High Court has noted that the dues owed to Ideal Jawa in liquidation have no connection to the value of its trademark, saying that the Official Liquidator cannot equate alleged debts with trademark value.
Reacting to the judgement, Boman Irani, Co-founder of Classic Legends and Chairman and MD of Rustomjee Group, said, “The verdict feels much more momentous than a fateful personal victory for my family’s legacy. It reaffirms that the perseverance in keeping heritage brands alive never goes unrewarded. The honourable court and judges have supported our efforts to renew Yezdi through innovation and lawful means.”
Boman Irani’s father drew the Yezdi insignia on a piece of paper when Czech motorcycle brand Jawa’s original licensing agreement with Ideal Jawa ceased in 1969. The Yezdi brand was then created to continue producing the iconic machines. Ideal Jawa stopped production in 1996 and was liquidated in 2001.
While Ideal Jawa and the Official Liquidator failed to renew the trademark registrations, the HC noted that Boman Irani worked proactively to revive the legendary brand, first by lawfully acquiring the requisite trademark registrations in 2013-14. He eventually partnered with Anupam Thareja and the Mahindra Group to co-found Classic Legends in 2015, with the sole aim of bringing back the glorious days of the Yezdi brand. Classic Legends re-launched the Yezdi brand with three models in 2022.
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