TVS Motor has sold one million (10 lakhs) units of the Apache motorcycle, after having launched the product in 2006. The Hosur based automaker sells the Apache in 20 countries across the globe, where it has been quite successful. The TVS Apache has been designed with a racing approach and includes a lap timer with provision for the last three 0–60 km/hr timings. It is also the first motorcycle in India to feature a petal disc. The bike evolved from circa 1999 Suzuki Fiero which TVS used to manufacture in India, in collaboration with Suzuki.
The Apache was TVS’s R&D on the Fiero model with an overbore on a 147cc Fiero engine. Thus the TVS Apache was initially launched with a 150cc engine which was later upgraded to a 160cc unit in 2007. The company later brought in a 180cc version, which was followed by the introduction on an ABS variant in 2011. Just last year the company upgraded the Apache with new styling and is now planning to launch another minor upgrade (as per teasers on the company’s official facebook page).
TVS also introduced ARE (Apache Racing Experience) where customers got a chance to understand their motorcycles better. These small yet significant initiatives have helped TVS to create a cult following for the Apache in India. The product itself has a lot to offer but the company really needs to bring in higher capacity variants to tap newer segments of the market. Currently TVS has no plans to launch higher capacity versions of the Apache, as the company has now tied up with BMW to bring out sub-500cc performance bikes.
