Runner Automobiles has officially launched the world’s top selling “eco-friendly and cost-effective” two-wheeler electric Chinese scooter Yadea’s several new models.
The launching ceremony was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center on Sunday, introducing Bangladeshi riders to popular models — T5, M6, Ruibin, and G150P — along with two newly-added modern and stylish electric scooters — GT60 and E8S200.
The event also featured test rides for participants.
“Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and Yadea is committed to ensuring product quality and excellent after-sale services,” said Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairman of Runner Group, at the launching event.
Yadea is to lead the change towards a greener world with its exceptional electric two-wheeler market in Bangladesh, reads a press release issued on Sunday.
With the starting price of Tk 120,000 per unit, Yadea scooter has a great competitive edge in the electric two-wheeler market in Bangladesh securing a mileage of Tk 0.14, according to the statement.
Runner will leverage the brand value of Yadea and its sales and service network in expanding its business.
In 2022, Yadea’s electric scooter sales reached 5 million units, representing over half of the global market share. Runner Automobiles is the sole agent of Yadea in Bangladesh and assembles Yadea electric scooters for customers.
The partnership is expected to help Runner recover from its business slowdown.
Having suffered losses in the two years to FY24, Runner returned to the green zone in the second quarter (October-December) of FY25 as the dollar crisis eased.
The country’s pioneering motorcycle manufacturer reported a consolidated profit of Tk 68.32 million for the January-March quarter this year, against losses worth Tk 153 million in the same quarter a year ago.
“The thriving business of three wheelers supported an increase in revenue, while cost control and efficient fund management helped increase profitability,” said Shanat Datta, chief financial officer of Runner Automobiles.
Three-wheeler sales more than doubled during the quarter, compared to the same quarter of the previous year, backed by higher demand and enhanced marketing activities. The commercial vehicle segment also continued to show improved performance, said Mr Datta.
Runner’s three-wheeler manufacturing plant, established in February 2023 with technical support from Indian Bajaj, supported the increase in the overall sales of three wheelers and attracted customers with price benefits.
“We remain confident in the growth plan supported by increasing demand in the three-wheeler segment, and encouraging early positive results from eBike initiatives in the two-wheeler segment,” said Mr Datta.
Thanks to first-quarter heavy losses, the nine-month profit through March of FY25 was squeezed to Tk 7.95 million, but it still bears signs of recovery from a loss of Tk 427 million in the same period of the previous year.
Meanwhile, Runner stock fell 0.78 per cent to Tk 25.40 per share on Sunday on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/runner-to-take-eco-friendly-two-wheeler-market-share-with-chinese-scooters-1748198621
