In an exciting development, the Hero Mavrick 440 has been spotted again, this time during what appears to be a TVC shoot, flaunting an upside-down (USD) front fork and subtle design enhancements. Around the same time, Ather Energy achieved a massive production milestone — rolling out its 5,00,000th scooter from its Hosur plant.
These two milestones symbolize the duality of India’s mobility future: the continued evolution of internal combustion motorcycles alongside the rapid growth of electric two-wheelers.
Hero Mavrick 440 – Gearing Up for a Comeback
The Hero Mavrick 440, Hero’s most powerful roadster yet, was initially launched as an affordable alternative to the Harley-Davidson X440, a motorcycle co-developed under a strategic partnership between the two brands.
However, the first-generation Mavrick struggled to gain traction due to limited premium features and a design that leaned more toward utility than excitement. Now, new spy visuals indicate that Hero is ready to fix those flaws and re-launch the Mavrick 440 with substantial updates.
What’s New in the 2026 Hero Mavrick 440
From what can be seen in the latest spy video, Hero has made two key upgrades that could dramatically change the Mavrick’s market perception:
- Golden USD Forks:
The most noticeable change is the adoption of gold-anodized upside-down front forks. This upgrade not only enhances the bike’s handling and cornering precision but also gives it a more premium, muscular stance — addressing one of the major criticisms of the older model. - Bronze Engine Casing:
The engine casing now sports a brushed bronze finish, replacing the plain black paint from before. This small aesthetic touch adds a sense of sophistication and aligns with global design cues used in modern streetfighters.
Additionally, the test bike spotted appears to feature a matte grey body color — a shift from the earlier glossy shade — giving the roadster a stealthy, high-end look.
It’s also rumored that the motorcycle may inherit the TFT display from the Harley-Davidson X440, bringing Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and smartphone pairing to the Mavrick’s dashboard.
Engine & Mechanical Setup
Underneath, the Mavrick 440 will continue to use the 440cc single-cylinder, air- and oil-cooled engine jointly developed with Harley-Davidson. It produces around 27hp and 36Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed gearbox.
This motor is known for its strong low-end torque delivery, making it ideal for both urban rides and open-road cruising. Hero’s decision to pair it with improved front suspension should deliver a more balanced and confident ride experience.
Expected Launch & Pricing
Given that the bike was seen during an official ad shoot, an early-2026 relaunch seems likely. Pricing is expected to start around ₹2.10 lakh (ex-showroom), placing it between the Harley X440 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350.
If Hero successfully balances performance with perceived quality, the Mavrick 440 could finally establish itself as a genuine contender in the mid-displacement roadster segment
Ather Energy Rolls Out Its 5,00,000th Scooter
While Hero revives its ICE lineup, Ather Energy continues to scale new heights in India’s electric two-wheeler space. The Bengaluru-based manufacturer recently celebrated the production of its 5,00,000th vehicle at its Hosur, Tamil Nadu facility — just seven years after it launched its first product, the Ather 450, in 2018.
This milestone is not only symbolic of Ather’s success but also highlights the rapid adoption of EV scooters among Indian riders.
The Role of the Rizta in Ather’s Growth
Ather credited much of this success to the Rizta, its family-oriented scooter launched in 2024. The Rizta’s practical design, comfort features, and strong performance have helped Ather expand beyond the performance-focused niche once defined by the 450 series.
According to Ather, the Rizta now accounts for over one-third of total production volumes, contributing significantly to the company’s record monthly sales of 18,109 units in September 2025.
Ather’s Expanding Footprint
Over the last few months, Ather has aggressively expanded into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, supplementing its metro presence. The company now operates over 500 retail showrooms across India, having added 101 outlets between June and August 2025 alone.
This network growth has been crucial in improving accessibility and service reach, enabling Ather to compete head-to-head with larger rivals like TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak.
Leadership & Vision
Commenting on the achievement, Swapnil Jain, co-founder and CTO of Ather Energy, said:
“Crossing 5,00,000 scooters is a major milestone for Ather. From our first prototype to today, our journey has been about building not just vehicles, but a scalable, reliable, and consistent manufacturing ecosystem.”
He emphasized that this achievement reflects years of disciplined engineering and quality control, as Ather aims to solidify its position among India’s top three EV brands.
Market Position and Future Plans
Ather currently ranks third in India’s EV two-wheeler market, holding about 17% share as of September 2025 — trailing only TVS and Bajaj Auto.
At the Ather Community Day 2025, the company unveiled its new EL platform, which will underpin a family of upcoming electric models. Production for these new scooters will take place at the upcoming Factory 3.0, expected to significantly expand capacity and lower production costs.
This expansion signals that Ather is transitioning from a niche EV startup into a mass-market manufacturer with scalable production capabilities.
ICE vs EV – A Changing Landscape
The parallel stories of the Hero Mavrick 440 and Ather Energy reflect the dual transformation of India’s two-wheeler ecosystem.
While traditional motorcycle makers like Hero are upgrading legacy models with modern tech, companies like Ather are pushing the boundaries of electric performance and production volume.
Both segments are critical — ICE models continue to dominate in rural and mid-income urban markets, while EVs are rapidly growing in metros and younger demographics seeking lower running costs and environmental benefits.
