KATHMANDU: In recent years, scooters have gained strong popularity in Nepal. Their image as a unisex vehicle has helped make them widely accepted among both men and women.
With rising demand, distributors are introducing new models more frequently. Over the past five years, scooters are estimated to have increased their share in the two-wheeler market from around 30% to nearly 59%.
However, not every new model becomes successful. Despite attractive designs and advanced features, several scooters have failed to win over customers.
Major scooter brands in Nepal include Honda, TVS, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vespa, and Aprilia, all of which are also strong players in the Asian market. Their presence in Nepal remains significant.
Big brands, weak sales
Suzuki, a well-known brand in both Nepal and India, is known for producing quality scooters. The company offers a good range, from the sporty Avenis to the maxi-scooter Burgman. Even though these models fall in high-demand segments, their sales numbers remain low.
Hero’s Xoom scooter, positioned in the sporty segment, has gained some attention and demand. But import figures show limited sales. Poor performance in Nepal even led Hero’s local distributor, Nepal General Marketing, to lose its dealership.
In Nepal, Hero currently sells only the Xoom 110cc and 125cc models, both performing at an average level in sales.
Honda, Yamaha, and TVS continue to dominate the scooter market. Popular models like Honda Dio, Yamaha RayZR, and TVS Ntorq are considered bestsellers, collectively holding over 60% of total scooter sales.
Meanwhile, models like TVS Jupiter 110, Honda Activa and Grazia, and Yamaha Fascino, Nmax, and Aerox have relatively modest sales.
Nepal’s scooter market has become highly competitive. To succeed, dealers must now focus not only on design, features, and price but also on understanding customer preferences and market needs.
Even some of the country’s strongest brands are now finding it difficult to maintain their position. The growing market, therefore, does not guarantee success for everyone.
