Brands
Yamaha Motor India names Hajime Aota as chairman from 2026
MUMBAI: Yamaha Motor India has appointed Hajime Aota as its new chairman, with the role taking effect from January 1, 2026. Aota steps into the position with a reputation as a long-term strategist and growth architect, bringing with him decades of experience across corporate planning, new ventures and global business development within the Yamaha ecosystem and beyond.
Currently serving as chief strategy officer at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Aota has played a key role in shaping the company’s future-facing agenda, spanning advanced technologies, venture investments and new business models. His career includes senior leadership roles in corporate planning and innovation at Yamaha, chairing Yamaha Motor Ventures in Silicon Valley, and board positions at technology-led firms such as Tier IV and River. Before Yamaha, he held multiple general management roles at Mitsui & Co. across Japan, the UK and global markets.
With this appointment, Yamaha Motor India signals a sharper focus on strategic depth, innovation and international alignment as it navigates an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving mobility landscape. Aota’s blend of financial acumen, venture experience and technology-led thinking positions him to guide the Indian business through its next phase of growth, with a steady hand and an eye firmly on the road ahead.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
