TVS Scooty

TVS Scooty
	TVS Scooty Streak
Manufacturer	TVS Motors
Production	Since 1996
Assembly	Hosur, India
Class	Scooter

The TVS Scooty is a brand of Scooters made by TVS Motors of India. It is marketed mainly to women, and in 2009 was the largest selling brand among scooters aimed specifically at women buyers, selling about 25,000 units per month, compared to about 60,000 per month for the overall top selling scooter in India.^[1]

History

Scooty was initially conceived of as a Scooter for both sexes. However sales figures over the first two years indicated that more women were buying the Scooty than men. In 1996, Scooty went through a repositioning exercise to target women. Though it was seen as a risk with the large majority of Indian two-wheeler riders being male, TVS chose the strategy to tap the nascent segment of women riders.^[1] Over the last decade, Scooty has launched several models that cater to different segments of the market. These include the Scooty ES 60cc (1996 - Self & Kick start), the Scooty Pep 75cc (2003 - Self & Kick start) and Pep+ 90cc (2005 - Self & Kick start), Scooty Teenz 60cc (2007 - Self & Kick start), Scooty Streak 90cc (2009 - Self & Kick start) and Scooty Zest 110cc (2014 - Self & Kick start).

Marketing

Rider education

In 2009 TVS Scooty began providing two-wheeler riding training to women across small and large towns in India in an effort to increase the size of the target market. Fewer than 2% of Indian women in the potential two-wheeler buying category of 15- to 60-year-olds actually buy a scooter. The campaign was called Women on Wheels: Building the Riding Habit, and later renamed the TVS Scooty Institute. The program has had 80 locations, and 42,000 women have been trained to ride a two-wheeler.^[2] About 20% of women trained at the institute buy the TVS Scooty. This campaign won the EMVIE by the Ad Club Bombay for campaign innovation.^[3]

Product placement in Indian entertainment

The TVS Scooty range has benefited from product placement in Bollywood movies and Indian TV Serials, as either a prop, or in certain cases part of the plot. In the 2008 film Ghajini starring Aamir Khan, lead actress Asin Thottumkal rides the TVS Scooty Pep+ to get around in the role of Kalpana.^[4] It has appeared in the films Chance Pe Dance starring Genelia D'Souza, and in Sunday starring Ayesha Takia.^[5]^[6] Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role of the 2009 release Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year rather unwillingly has to ride the a bright pink Scooty Pep+, bought lovingly for him by his father, played by Prem Chopra. The Scooty becomes central to the plot as much of the time Ranbir's character Harpreet Singh spends on the road is on this scooter.^[7]

MTV Scooty Teen Diva initiative

TVS Scooty^[8] supported the MTV Scooty Teen Diva reality television contest in which contestants were judged on a variety of skills and attributes. The 2009 edition had over 3,000 applicants, 11 of whom participated in a 15-day shoot on location which was televised into an eight-episode reality series on MTV India in July–August 2009.^[9] Featuring judges who were members of the Indian fashion industry, contestants were graded on skills such as ramp-walking, cheerleading, acting and creativity. The winner of the 2008 edition was Koyal Rana^[10] and of the 2009 edition was Apeksha Porwal.^[11] They have both competed as India's representative at the Miss Teen International beauty pageant in July 2009 and 2010 in Chicago, United States. The association with a youth-oriented TV series is believed to reinforce Scooty's position in the minds of the target consumer.^[12]

Models

Scooty Streak

Launched in March 2009, the TVS Scooty Streak features LED tail lamps, external fuel filling and an easy-to-use center stand: making it specifically designed for the young woman. It has 90mm wide anti-skid tyres fashioned from wet compound giving it stronger grip in wet weather driving.^[13]^[14]

Scooty Pep and Pep+

Launched in 2005 Scooty Pep Plus features a light-weight body, with a choice of 99 colours and easy to drive.^[15]

Scooty Teenz and Teenz Electric

The Scooty Teenz was launched in 2007 has also been released in the electric edition that is designed specifically for young women who travel short distances.^[16] The Teenz Electric can carry a load of 130 kg with a pillion rider, up to a distance of 40 km (25 mi) per charge.^[17] The Scooty Teenz also has a mobile charger as part of its features.

Scooty Zest

Launched in 2014 Scooty Zest 110. ^[15]

TVS Scooty Zest is a stylish and efficient scooter built for urban areas. It is one of the most popular scooters in India and is renowned for its stylish looks, excellent ride quality, superior fuel efficiency and low maintenance cost. The scooter comes with a 110.9 cc engine which gives a power output of 8.7 BHP and a torque output of 8.8 NM. It has an electronic fuel injection system for improved fuel efficiency and better performance. The scooter also has CVTi transmission for better torque delivery and acceleration. The scooter also has wet multi-plate automatic clutch for easy gear shifting. It has well-padded dual seat, LED taillight, foldable footrest and alloy wheels. All these features make this scooter perfect for day-to-day commuting.

References

^ ^a ^b Srinivasan, Sriram (17 October 2009). "Women on Wheels". Outlook Business. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
^ Challapalli, Sravanthi (17 September 2009). "A Campaign for Mobility". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
^ Akhouri, Priyanka (5 October 2009). "TVS Scooty Rides High on Women on Wheels Notion". The Financial Express. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
^ A. R. Murugadoss (Director) (2008). Ghajini (Feature Film). Mumbai: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Adlabs.
^ Ken Ghosh(Director) (2010). Chance Pe Dance (Feature Film). Mumbai: UTV Motion Pictures.
^ Rohit Shetty (Director) (2008). Sunday (Feature Film). Mumbai: Eros Entertainment.
^ Raghava Lawrence (Director) (2009). Rocket Singh (Feature Film). Mumbai: Yash Raj Films.
^ "5 Best TVS Scooty in India". StoryMania.in. 12 March 2016.
^ "Smooth Ride". Afternoon. 16 May 2009. p. 12.
^ "Koyal Rana Wins Teen Diva India Award". JimAndaz.com (blacklisted site). 2008.
^ "And the Teen Diva is..." The Times of India. 22 August 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
^ "And the Teen Diva is...". Bombay Times (Times of India supplement). 22 August 2009. p. 5.
^ "TVS Launches Scooty Streak". The Hindu Business Line. 8 March 2009. p. 14.
^ Raikar, Sanjay (May 2009). "Pretty, Petite and Plucky". Bike India. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
^ ^a ^b "Woman Power Fuels Scooty". Business Standard. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
^ "TVS Launched Electric Scooter". Business Standard. 3 April 2008. p. 7.
^ "After Electric, TVS plans to make LPG & CNG Bikes". Business Standard. 16 February 2008. p. 5.