10th Indian Delegation to Dubai, Gitex & Expand North Star – World’s Largest Startup Investor Connect
Travel

Ola Expands Network To 4K Stores, Launches S1 Pro Sona


SUMMARY

EV startup Ola Electric announced the opening of 3,200 new stores, expanding its existing network of showrooms and service centres to 4,000

Apart from opening new stores, the company has launched a limited edition electric scooter ‘Ola S1 Pro Sona’, which comes with 24-karat gold plated elements

The company also rolled out the beta version of MoveOS 5, giving Ola riders access to features such as group navigation, live location sharing, road trip mode

EV startup Ola Electric has announced the opening of 3,200 new stores, expanding its existing network of showrooms and service centres to 4,000.

The move is aimed at driving EV adoption beyond metro and Tier I and II cities into smaller towns and tehsils across the country.

Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and managing director of Ola Electric, said in an X post that “#SavingsWalaScooter is now accessible to every Indian.”

Apart from opening new stores, the company has launched a limited edition electric scooter ‘Ola S1 Pro Sona’, which comes with 24-karat gold plated elements and customised MoveOS dashboard, which allows users to personalise ride modes and settings.

Ola Electric further said that it has also rolled out the beta version of MoveOS 5, giving Ola riders access to features such as group navigation, live location sharing, road trip mode powered by Ola Maps, smart charging, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts, among others.

Other feature updates include ADAS that will give collision warning, Smart Park that will help Ola riders detect obstacles while parking and Krutrim-powered voice control assistant.

The expansion  comes at a time when Ola Electric is facing intense competition in the electric vehicle two-wheeler market from legacy automakers TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto, as well as other EV players like Ather Energy.

Ola’s market share in the EV 2W segment shrank to 24% in November from 46.1% in June, according to Vahan data. On the other hand, the market share of TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto rose from 14.8% to 23%, and 11.3% to 22%, respectively, during the same period.

The company has also seen its public image deteriorate in recent months due to factors ranging from poor after-sales service to government probe to safety issues with its EVs.

However, these headwinds haven’t stopped Ola from rolling out new products, including electric motorcycles, electric three-wheelers and low-speed electric scooters. 

Ola Electric posted a net loss of INR 495 Cr in the second quarter of the ongoing fiscal year (Q2 FY25) on an operating revenue of INR 1,214 Cr.

It was also reported earlier that the company was looking to sack around 500 employees in a bid to streamline operations and achieve profitability.

 





Source link

by Honey

Jetstar’s Big Move: Avalon Takes Off Internationally In a major win for Victorian travelers, Jetstar Airways has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan at Avalon Airport, set to reshape regional aviation from 2026 onward. The low-cost carrier announced it will launch its first-ever international flights from Avalon, connecting the airport directly to Bali (Denpasar) — one of Australia’s most popular leisure destinations. Alongside this exciting addition, Jetstar will also reinstate its Avalon–Adelaide route, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase the frequency of Avalon–Brisbane services to meet surging passenger demand. The announcement represents a pivotal milestone for both Jetstar and Avalon Airport, which has long sought to expand its global footprint. The introduction of international routes marks the next phase of Avalon’s growth strategy — positioning it as a strong secondary airport option to Melbourne’s Tullamarine. Avalon Airport: From Domestic Hub to International Gateway Avalon Airport’s journey toward becoming an international gateway has been a long time coming. The introduction of Jetstar’s Bali flights cements its status as a crucial player in regional connectivity and tourism development. For Geelong and western Melbourne residents, the new service provides convenient and affordable access to one of Asia’s most beloved holiday destinations. According to Avalon Airport management, the Avalon–Bali route will not only attract thousands of leisure travelers but also strengthen tourism and economic ties between Victoria and Indonesia. Local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors, are expected to benefit from increased visitor flow. “The demand for outbound leisure travel remains exceptionally strong, and Bali continues to be a top destination for Australians,” said a Jetstar spokesperson. “Avalon is ideally located to serve both regional Victoria and Melbourne’s west, and these new services will make international travel more accessible and affordable for everyone.” Reconnecting Australia: Adelaide and Brisbane Routes Boost Domestic Travel Beyond international expansion, Jetstar’s decision to restart the Avalon–Adelaide route has been welcomed by frequent flyers and regional businesses alike. The route, which ceased operations during the pandemic, had long been a staple connection between Victoria and South Australia. Its return highlights Jetstar’s commitment to rebuilding domestic travel networks that were disrupted by COVID-19. Additionally, the airline plans to add more Avalon–Brisbane flights, responding to a sharp rise in domestic travel demand. This move will enhance connectivity between key eastern cities, providing travelers with more flexible and cost-effective options. Analysts believe Jetstar’s growing presence at Avalon could lead to more destinations being added in the coming years, transforming the airport into a vital hub for both domestic and short-haul international routes. Infrastructure Upgrades: Avalon Gets a Public Transport Link To complement Jetstar’s expansion, Avalon Airport is also set to receive a long-awaited public transport connection, improving accessibility for passengers traveling from Geelong and Melbourne. The new bus service will make it easier for travelers to reach the airport, which has previously faced criticism for limited transport options. The introduction of this link is seen as a crucial step toward making Avalon more competitive with larger airports. “Connectivity has …

by Honey

Jetstar’s Big Move: Avalon Takes Off Internationally In a major win for Victorian travelers, Jetstar Airways has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan at Avalon Airport, set to reshape regional aviation from 2026 onward. The low-cost carrier announced it will launch its first-ever international flights from Avalon, connecting the airport directly to Bali (Denpasar) — one of Australia’s most popular leisure destinations. Alongside this exciting addition, Jetstar will also reinstate its Avalon–Adelaide route, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase the frequency of Avalon–Brisbane services to meet surging passenger demand. The announcement represents a pivotal milestone for both Jetstar and Avalon Airport, which has long sought to expand its global footprint. The introduction of international routes marks the next phase of Avalon’s growth strategy — positioning it as a strong secondary airport option to Melbourne’s Tullamarine. Avalon Airport: From Domestic Hub to International Gateway Avalon Airport’s journey toward becoming an international gateway has been a long time coming. The introduction of Jetstar’s Bali flights cements its status as a crucial player in regional connectivity and tourism development. For Geelong and western Melbourne residents, the new service provides convenient and affordable access to one of Asia’s most beloved holiday destinations. According to Avalon Airport management, the Avalon–Bali route will not only attract thousands of leisure travelers but also strengthen tourism and economic ties between Victoria and Indonesia. Local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors, are expected to benefit from increased visitor flow. “The demand for outbound leisure travel remains exceptionally strong, and Bali continues to be a top destination for Australians,” said a Jetstar spokesperson. “Avalon is ideally located to serve both regional Victoria and Melbourne’s west, and these new services will make international travel more accessible and affordable for everyone.” Reconnecting Australia: Adelaide and Brisbane Routes Boost Domestic Travel Beyond international expansion, Jetstar’s decision to restart the Avalon–Adelaide route has been welcomed by frequent flyers and regional businesses alike. The route, which ceased operations during the pandemic, had long been a staple connection between Victoria and South Australia. Its return highlights Jetstar’s commitment to rebuilding domestic travel networks that were disrupted by COVID-19. Additionally, the airline plans to add more Avalon–Brisbane flights, responding to a sharp rise in domestic travel demand. This move will enhance connectivity between key eastern cities, providing travelers with more flexible and cost-effective options. Analysts believe Jetstar’s growing presence at Avalon could lead to more destinations being added in the coming years, transforming the airport into a vital hub for both domestic and short-haul international routes. Infrastructure Upgrades: Avalon Gets a Public Transport Link To complement Jetstar’s expansion, Avalon Airport is also set to receive a long-awaited public transport connection, improving accessibility for passengers traveling from Geelong and Melbourne. The new bus service will make it easier for travelers to reach the airport, which has previously faced criticism for limited transport options. The introduction of this link is seen as a crucial step toward making Avalon more competitive with larger airports. “Connectivity has …

by INC42

When Thirukkurungudi Vengaram Sundram Iyengar, the Indian industrialist who founded the TVS Group, introduced intercity passenger bus service in Tamil Nadu in 1912, India barely had any organised bus services. At the time, most people relied on trains for long-distance travel and bullock carts for shorter routes, while motor cars were accessible only to a wealthy few. Today, 40% of India’s road-based travel demand comprises buses. While a large part of this percentage consists of unorganised, local players, tech-driven companies are… Source link