In a surprising shift of strategy, TVS Motor Company has decided to prioritize the launch of a new affordable scooter aimed directly at competing with the market-leading Honda Activa, temporarily pushing back the much-anticipated Jupiter CNG scooter that was showcased earlier this year. This strategic pivot reveals TVS’s keen awareness of changing market dynamics and consumer preferences in India’s competitive two-wheeler landscape.
A Change in Direction
The automotive world was taken by surprise when TVS unveiled the world’s first CNG scooter—the Jupiter CNG—at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. The innovative model generated significant buzz among industry experts and consumers alike. However, recent developments suggest that TVS has recalibrated its launch timeline, with the Jupiter CNG now expected to hit the market towards the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Instead, TVS is directing its immediate focus on developing and launching a new affordable scooter that aims to directly challenge the dominance of Honda’s perennial bestseller, the Activa. This shift in priority reflects TVS’s agility in responding to market demands and competitive pressures.
“TVS has always maintained a pulse on consumer preferences,” says Rakesh Sharma, an automotive industry analyst with over 15 years of experience tracking the Indian two-wheeler market. “While the Jupiter CNG represents innovation in alternative fuel technology, the company recognizes that the mass market still revolves around conventional and affordable mobility solutions. Targeting the Activa’s market share makes perfect business sense in the short term.”
Market Dynamics Driving the Decision
The Honda Activa has been a dominant force in India’s scooter segment for nearly two decades, consistently maintaining top position in sales volumes. Despite numerous challengers over the years, including TVS’s own Jupiter, the Activa has retained its crown as the preferred family scooter for millions of Indian consumers.
TVS’s decision to launch a new Activa competitor before the Jupiter CNG comes amid a period of transition in the Indian two-wheeler market. Rising fuel prices have increased operating costs for conventional scooters, while the gradual shift towards electric mobility has begun to influence consumer purchasing decisions. However, the mass market still overwhelmingly favors affordable conventional scooters with proven reliability and low maintenance costs—precisely the territory where the Activa reigns supreme.
Market research indicates that despite the growing interest in alternative fuel options and electric scooters, the segment dominated by models like the Activa—priced between ₹75,000 and ₹90,000—still accounts for over 65% of total scooter sales in India. This reality hasn’t escaped TVS’s strategic planners.
“The Jupiter CNG, while innovative, would appeal to a relatively niche segment of early adopters willing to experiment with alternative fuels,” explains Sanjay Mehta, former marketing head at a leading two-wheeler company. “On the other hand, a direct competitor to the Activa has the potential to capture a much larger market share immediately.”
The Mysterious New Contender
While TVS has been tight-lipped about the specifications and features of this new scooter, industry insiders suggest it will be positioned as a value-for-money proposition with a focus on fuel efficiency, comfort, and practical features for daily commuters.
Sources close to the development reveal that the new scooter is likely to sport a 110-115cc engine optimized for excellent mileage—potentially exceeding 60 kilometers per liter under ideal conditions. This would address one of the primary considerations for budget-conscious Indian families when purchasing a scooter.
The new model is expected to incorporate some of the popular features from the current Jupiter lineup, including TVS’s patented Econometer technology, external fuel filling, and ample storage space. However, it would be positioned at a slightly lower price point to directly challenge the Activa’s value proposition.
“TVS has been carefully studying the factors that have contributed to the Activa’s enduring success,” says a dealer who requested anonymity. “The new scooter will likely address some of the minor complaints users have had with the Activa, particularly in terms of ride comfort and fuel efficiency, while maintaining an attractive price point.”
Electric Ambitions Not Forgotten
Interestingly, this strategic shift doesn’t mean TVS has abandoned its forward-looking approach to mobility solutions. Alongside this new Activa competitor and the delayed Jupiter CNG, the company is also reportedly working on an affordable electric scooter positioned below its current iQube model.
The affordable electric scooter would potentially become the third prong in TVS’s multi-fuel strategy, allowing the company to cater to conventional, alternative fuel, and electric segments simultaneously.
“TVS seems to be hedging its bets across all possible future scenarios for India’s mobility landscape,” notes Ravi Kumar, an automotive journalist who has been tracking the industry for over a decade. “While the immediate focus is on competing with the Activa, the company is clearly preparing for multiple possible futures where different fuel types might dominate.”
Industry sources suggest that TVS might be planning to position its Jupiter brand as India’s first scooter available across all three powertrain options—petrol, CNG, and electric—creating a unique selling proposition in an increasingly crowded market.
Production and Launch Timeline
According to sources familiar with TVS’s manufacturing plans, the company has already begun tooling its production lines for the new Activa competitor. Trial production is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with a full-scale production ramp-up planned for August 2025.
The new scooter is expected to be launched just before the festive season, a strategically important period for two-wheeler sales in India. This timing would allow TVS to capitalize on the increased purchase sentiment during festivals like Dussehra and Diwali, potentially securing a significant initial sales volume.
In contrast, the Jupiter CNG—which requires additional manufacturing complexity due to its dual-fuel system—has been pushed to a later timeline, with insiders suggesting a potential launch in late 2025 or early 2026, depending on market conditions and the success of the new Activa competitor.
What This Means for Consumers
For potential scooter buyers, TVS’s strategic shift presents an interesting scenario. Those who were eagerly awaiting the innovative Jupiter CNG will need to exercise patience for a few more months. However, buyers looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient family scooter will soon have another compelling option to consider alongside the Honda Activa.
Industry experts suggest that this increased competition in the mass-market scooter segment will likely benefit consumers through competitive pricing, improved features, and potentially special launch offers.
“Competition is always good for consumers,” says consumer advocate Rajesh Singh. “With TVS directly targeting the Activa’s segment with a new offering, we might see Honda responding with upgrades or special offers on the Activa. Either way, the end consumer stands to gain.”
Broader Industry Implications
TVS’s strategic pivot also signals broader trends in India’s two-wheeler industry. While there’s significant media attention on electric and alternative fuel vehicles, the actions of major manufacturers suggest that conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) models will continue to dominate the mass market for the foreseeable future.
“The reality is that despite the growing interest in EVs and alternative fuels, the infrastructure and economic considerations still favor conventional scooters for most Indian consumers,” explains economist Priya Venkatesh, who specializes in India’s automotive sector. “TVS’s decision to prioritize an Activa competitor over the Jupiter CNG reflects this market reality.”
This doesn’t mean the transition to cleaner mobility solutions has stalled. Rather, it suggests a more gradual, multi-stage transition where conventional, alternative fuel, and electric options will coexist for many years before any single technology becomes dominant.
Jupiter CNG: Delayed but Not Forgotten
Despite the shift in launch priorities, the Jupiter CNG remains an important part of TVS’s future lineup. The scooter, showcased as the world’s first CNG-powered two-wheeler, represents a significant technological achievement and an important bridge between conventional and fully electric mobility solutions.
The Jupiter CNG features a 1.4kg CNG tank mounted in the underseat storage, alongside a 2-liter petrol tank located under the floorboard. This dual-fuel approach gives it a claimed combined range of 226 kilometers—84 kilometers on one kilogram of CNG, plus additional range from the petrol tank.
Powered by a 124.8cc engine, the CNG variant produces 7.1bhp at 6,000rpm and 9.4Nm at 5,500rpm, with a top speed of 80kmph. While these figures represent a slight reduction compared to the petrol-only version, the significant gain in fuel economy and reduced emissions make it an attractive proposition for cost-conscious and environmentally aware consumers.
“The Jupiter CNG represents TVS’s commitment to exploring all possible pathways to cleaner mobility,” says environmental policy expert Sudhir Menon. “While electric vehicles might be the long-term solution, CNG offers a practical intermediate step that can leverage existing infrastructure and provide immediate emissions benefits.”
Looking Ahead
As TVS prepares to launch its new Activa competitor in the coming months, industry observers will be watching closely to see how this strategic shift affects the company’s market position and overall sales volumes.
The two-wheeler market in India continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, regulatory pressures, and economic factors. TVS’s ability to navigate these complex dynamics while maintaining a diverse product portfolio spanning conventional, alternative fuel, and electric options will be crucial to its long-term success.
“What we’re seeing from TVS is a carefully calibrated approach that balances short-term market realities with long-term technological trends,” concludes industry consultant Arun Bhatia. “The decision to prioritize an Activa competitor now, while keeping the Jupiter CNG and affordable electric options in the pipeline, demonstrates strategic foresight and flexibility.”
For consumers, this multi-pronged approach means more choices across different price points and technologies—a win for a market as diverse and dynamic as India. Whether one is looking for a proven conventional scooter, an innovative CNG option, or an affordable electric vehicle, TVS seems determined to have an offering in every category.
As the launch date for the new Activa competitor approaches, excitement is building among dealers and potential buyers alike. Will this new contender finally dethrone the long-reigning Honda Activa? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the battle for India’s mass-market scooter segment is about to get a lot more interesting.