Kinetic has launched an environment friendly postal delivery vehicle ‘Postal Soleckshaw’. The first five vehicles were delivered to post office at Ajmer. Upon testing of these vehicles at Ajmer, these are expected to be rolled out nationally and are expected to revolutionize postal delivery in India. Soleckshaw is a solar power assisted, pedal operated cycle rickshaw originally conceptualized by CSIR, India’s eminent science and research institution. Recently, M/s Kinetic Motors in association with CMERI (CSIR) has re-designed and developed a modified version of Soleckshaw specifically suitable as a light delivery vehicle, for delivery of post, parcels and other postal services both in urban and rural areas.

Soleckshaw has potential for use as a light delivery vehicle for distribution of dak as well as larger packages etc. Emergence of electronic means of communication is changing the profile of post offices and postmen. A Postman is likely to carry more parcels for delivery than ordinary mails. A survey in Pune found that each postman covers an area of around 40-45 kms and carries an average weight of 35-40 kgs per day. The Soleckshaw is the ideal vehicle to enable transportation of larger parcels with a minimum of effort. Postal Solekshaw will improve speed and efficiency of postal delivery, increase ability to carry more load; distribute other value-added products in rural areas. It’s large scale deployment is also expected to result in huge savings on manpower and operating cost.500

Just over six months after M&M bought Kinetic, it is all set to foray into the two-wheeler market with two upgraded products. According to company dealers, the utility vehicle market leader will kick off its two-wheeler business with upgrades of Kinetic’s currently available gearless scooters, Flyte and Nova. The modified versions will be available in showrooms by the end of the month.

Both scooters will be co-branded Mahindra Kinetic and there will be no change in their prices. The 125-cc Flyte and 135-cc Nova are currently priced at around Rs 41,000 ex-showroom Delhi. “Mahindra has already begun production of these co-branded two wheelers at its Pithampur plant near Indore and will start dispatching them to dealers soon,” said the Kinetic dealer. M&M had stopped dispatching these gearless scooters a couple of months ago and dealers are awaiting the upgraded versions of Flyte and Nova.

The company had taken its dealers for a tour of its Pithampur plant earlier this week. M&M is serious about attacking the two-wheeler business with products both in the entry level mass market as well as in the lifestyle and performance segment. The company has been in partnership talks with various global bike brands to source products for the top end of the market.

The bottom end will be serviced by products made and designed inhouse. M&M and Kinetic had formed a new firm Mahindra Kinetic in July 2008, in which M&M held 80% stake while Kinetic Motors retained the remaining 20%. M&M picked up the controlling stake in Kinetic for Rs 110 crore.