With the dickeys and fashionable outlooks, scooters are quickly gaining good reputation in our Nepalese market. But can it be considered as a family vehicle?

These days, it is a common sight of scooters on the roads. Young and old, men and women, everybody can be seen happily riding them. This was not what it used to be few years back. Scooters were considered as “lady” rides and men felt awkward riding them, let alone buying them. Maybe it was because of the size or the style; scooters were not so appealing to men. Very rarely could we see a guy riding a scooter.

Recently this scenario has changed. Men have started using scooters and some even prefer scooters over bikes.Due to the convenience, safety, efficiency and economic performance the demand for scooters have gone high. There are compartments that can store items like the dickey which can be used to hold raincoats, bags, etc under the seat that can be taken out whenever required. Scooters are very much fuel efficient as well as safe as they have automatic transmission which means riders don’t have to change the gear manually saving them the hassle of gear shifting; very much useful during traffic jams. Most of the scooters available here in Nepal range from 100-150ccs so they cannot be taken to a very high speed and with the latest technological advancements, the breaking systems are as efficient as they can get.

Scooters are considered a unisex vehicle in the present day that every member of the family can make the most out of.  They are very handy mostly during grocery shopping as the items can be safely placed in the dickey as well as the compartment where you rest your feet. And the fact that even women or the elderly can make use of this vehicle makes it much more of a utility vehicle. No member of the family will have to depend upon any other in any case of transportation. May it be grocery shopping or getting to any destination.

The heavy traffic of our city has compelled many of the people to opt out to 2 wheelers. Car owners have trouble getting to places on time due to the congestion on the road. It is a daily problem. And due to the comfort, convenience of scooters, the four wheel owners have a scooter as a backup vehicle. Short distances can be travelled in a short time.It helps every family member if they own a scooter.Plus the fashionable outreach of the scooter manufacturers with cool graphics, designs and colors have made people from all the age groups attracted them.

Let us see what the marketing managers, sales heads and media coordinators of the top scooter manufacturers of our country have to say:

Sital Dahal
Market Coordinator
NGM

“Few years back scooters were thought to be only ridden by females. This mentality has changed. Scooters are now considered for family that anybody in the family can make use of. If there is a motorbike, in the context of Nepal, where the female members as well as the elder members do not use it, scooters are more preferred. These members who do not ride motorbikes always have to be depending on the ones who do. This is why scooters have gained popularity in our community and it is turning into a family vehicle.”

 

Sushan Baidhya
D- Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd.
Country Sales Manager

“If you compare the market share of motorbike and scooter, it is almost half. Older model scooters came with gears so people preferred bike for the power with the same function. But now scooters have automatic gear transmission with similar power so in traffic esp. during traffic jams the hassle of shifting gear is no more there. Considering the family perspective, it is easier for family members to go shopping as you can utilize the dickey and the foot rest to carry the bags. Where as in motorbikes, you have to hang them in the handles which cannot be considered safe. Even while travelling with children, small kids can be kept between our hands in front of us safely. Scooters are more economic, safe and convenient. And the main reason for its demand to rise is due to the fact that both male and female can take full advantage of it.”

Prasanna Dhakhwa
Marketing Coordinator
Syakar Trading Company Pvt. Ltd.

“Every person in Kathmandu who owns cars or bikes has a scooter as well. Esp. in the urban areas where the traffic congestions are very frequent. It is easier to carry the bags in a scooter rather than a motorbike and more convenient due to its size rather than cars that get stuck in traffic jams. For people with motorbikes who own a shop, transporting goods is easier if they own a scooter. In a family, with father, mother, son and daughter, if there is choice to be made between a bike and a scooter, it would be a better option to choose a scooter as a motorbike can only be used by the son or the father. But a scooter can be used by all the members. It is the same case if the family is a joint one. Family members do not have to rely on the ones with motorbikes. In the recent scenario, drinking and driving is considered a crime. So, in this case, if there is a scooter around, anyone can ride and drop the ones who have consumed alcohol.”

Binod Maharjan
Marketing Manager
M.A.W. Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.


“Scooters are not only for the females who work. Students and house wives are also benefited by scooters for shopping or any other work. Items can be stored in the front pockets, dickey like helmets, jackets, bags where as in motorbikes there is always a concern about the storage about these items. This has certainly at some point has helped women empowerment. They are more independent. People are more into scooters as they are considered utility vehicles. People who own a car also have a scooter as a standby vehicle in case they have to travel short distances. Plus the new scooters in the market offer a lot of new features which has made families prefer scooters.”

Pratyush Shrestha
Sales Head
Agni Motoinc Pvt. Ltd.

“Comparing to the past data, the demand of scooters is gradually rising every year. Previously, scooters were considered as a female vehicle and male riders were very few. Due to the economic benefits like higher mileage, lower price than motorbikes, safety, convenience, the number of male riders have increased. Due to the storage feature in scooters, storing raincoats, jackets has been easier and is also very much beneficial during rainy seasons as scooters do not have the problem of splashing the mud and water on the road compared to motorbikes. Families benefit as they can be used for short distance travels due to the heavy traffic and travelling in cars is not always convenient. Any member of the family husband or wife, brother or sister, father or mother can ride scooters that help in cases of shopping for the household items as there are storage compartments and any member of the family can do that. Even in my case, I cannot be there to take my wife to certain places every time. So, an independent vehicle is needed for her too and what option is better than scooter.”

 

Aayush Dhamala
Marketing Executive
V.G. Automobiles Pvt. Ltd.

“There are many advantages of scooter but the Major features that have raised the Market of scooters are their safety, easy use, comfortable for daily purpose. It’s a Unisex Product so it can be used by both male and female. It's stylish and nowadays scooters are more spacious, comes with more handy features & power.The Demand of Scooter is growing by every year. It is helping in our community and our local business to commercialize in a positive way. People are satisfied with scooters and expect some more dashing scooters with very new handful features.As we all know it’s so easy and comfortable for use,scooter is becoming a family vehicle because of its comfort, spaciousness and it’s a compatibility for a family in daily purpose so that they can have their daily life routine in a convenient way. In my opinion, our lifestyle is getting fast and people are searching for comfortable vehicles which are very helpful for them to achieve their daily Goals. So, a scooter can be the right choice to promote the daily life to make it more happy and convenient.”