Steelbird Tornado helmet series launched at ₹1,959. Check details
Steelbird Helmets has launched the Tornado helmet series that conforms to both Indian (ISI) and international (DOT) standards. The Tornado is priced at ₹ 1,959 and comes in the entry-to-mid range of commuter helmets.
The helmet is available in four sizes—S (560mm), M (580mm), L (600mm), and XL (620mm)—encompassing a wide range of fit needs. It uses a micro-metric buckle that adheres to European fastening standards, a feature increasingly common in helmets priced for the mass market.
The Tornado features a high-impact ABS shell designed to withstand crashes and protect the rider's head in the event of a collision. Internally, the helmet includes multi-layer, high-density EPS foam for shock absorption, with fiberglass reinforcement—a material required for DOT compliance and used in most of Steelbird's DOT-rated offerings.
Also Read : Steelbird hits 87 lakh helmet sales in FY25, plans to cross 1 crore in FY26
The helmet also includes reflective elements, such as a rear spoiler and interior padding, to improve rider visibility at night. A blackout edition, in which all elements—chin strap, interior, buckle, and reflector—are finished in black, has also been introduced.
Tornado's dual-visor system is designed to handle variable lighting conditions. Riders can use a built-in sun visor during the day, with a smoke-tinted outer visor that can be swapped using a quick-release mechanism.
One key update is the redesigned chin strap exit from the center of the cheek pad. This is meant to offer more ear space, which might enhance comfort when wearing it for long periods or with Bluetooth products.
The inside of the helmet comes equipped with a removable and washable breathable liner, a common feature in most commuter-oriented helmets to deal with hygiene and long-term wear issues. Steelbird Helmet sales milestone
Steelbird Hi-Tech India Ltd, India's largest two-wheeler safety gear manufacturer, clocked 87 lakh units of helmet sales in FY 2024-25, up from the previous fiscal year's 80 lakh units.
Key to this growth has been the company's continued investment in production infrastructure. The company stated that the Steelbird's Baddi facility now incorporates robotic systems for visors, automated painting, and expanded assembly lines. These improvements have brought daily production to nearly 50,000 units.
Also Read : Steelbird Hi-Tech preps 20 new helmets for India, aims to expand export base
Besides helmets, Steelbird also introduced a wider line of riding accessories like gloves, goggles, and rainwear, signaling the transition to a more lifestyle positioning. It is also increasing its retail network with more than 200 exclusive Rider Shops in India. The company aims to scale up this number considerably in the next few years to reach 1,000 standalone shops.
Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.
First Published Date: 29 Jun 2025, 15:01 PM IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- The Hindu
India ‘fully engaged' with U.S. on trade deal, says Commerce Secretary
India continues to be 'fully engaged' with the U.S. on a Bilateral Trade Agreement, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Thursday, however adding that the date for the next round of negotiations has not yet been decided. He reiterated the deadline for the deal as fall 2025, or September-October 2025, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump. Official sources have also confirmed that India was working with both the U.K. and the EU to fast-track the implementation of the respective trade deals India was concluding with them. During the Indian team's visit to Washington in July to continue negotiations on the deal, it had been decided that the next round would take place in New Delhi during the last week of August. However, a lot has changed since then. US President Donald Trump on July 31 approved a 25% tariff on imports from India, and then on August 6 approved an additional 25% tariffs as a 'penalty' for India's imports of Russian oil. Mr. Trump has also indicated that further negotiations would not take place until the Russia oil issue was resolved. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, Mr. Barthwal said that negotiations on the BTA were still progressing. Negotiations progressing 'We are fully engaged with the U.S. on the trade negotiations,' Mr. Barthwal said at a press briefing. 'There was a joint statement that was given by the U.S. President and our Prime Minister where it was said India and the U.S. would engage in a bilateral trade agreement and simultaneously we would also aim to more than double our trade to $500 billion.' 'Those talks are going on,' he added. 'The BTA talks are going on. We are engaged.' However, Mr. Barthwal added that the final date for the next round of negotiations would be decided closer to the last week of August. According to official sources who declined to be named, the negotiations and engagement between India and the U.S. was taking place at different levels. 'One level is at the negotiating team' level, another one happens at the Ministers' level, the third happens at the diplomatic levels, and we also engage the different industries of the U.S. to look into their issues,' the official explained. Other deals being fast-tracked The India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed in July, is now in the final stage where the UK is concluding its due processes in its Parliament. 'We have requested the UK to fast-track this process so it comes into force as early as possible,' another government source said. They added that the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the EFTA countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — would come into force on October 1. 'With the EU, we are fast-tracking the negotiations,' they explained. 'But a lot of work has progressed and it was decided that the FTA would be concluded by the end of December. It has made good progress and there are further meetings that are going to happen, at the negotiators' level, the Secretary level, and at the Ministerial level.' With Oman, the talks on a trade agreement have concluded and the deal will be signed 'very soon', when the dates are decided by both countries. Good progress with ASEAN countries The negotiating team representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries was in India between August 10-14 to review the Trade in Goods Agreement between the two. 'We are telling them that we need to increase trade between India and ASEAN,' the official said. 'Everybody is concerned about the uncertain global policy environment. They have realised that both ASEAN and India move forward and improve trade between the two blocks.' They added that India and the ASEAN countries were not only looking at tariff issues but also non-tariff issues, such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and regulatory compliances. 'Since these are issues that require deep analysis, that analysis is going on,' the official said. 'This round has been quite fruitful. There is a lot of clarity on how we should move forward.'
Mint
15 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump claims India tariffs cut off Russian oil sales, forced Putin to negotiating table on Ukraine: ‘When you lose…'
On the eve of a high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, United States President Donald Trump has claimed that his tariffs on India 'essentially took them out of buying oil from Russia' – a move he suggested may have influenced Moscow's willingness to negotiate. Speaking to Fox News Radio's The Brian Kilmeade Show on Thursday, Donald Trump said he believed Putin 'wants to get it done' and is now convinced 'he's going to make a deal' when the two leaders meet on Friday. Donald Trump linked the anticipated diplomatic progress in meeting Vladimir Putin on Friday, to his economic measures, particularly secondary tariffs against India. 'Everything has an impact,' he said, adding that the restrictions had effectively removed India – Russia's second-largest oil customer – from the market. 'Certainly, when you lose your second largest customer and you're probably going to lose your first largest customer, I think that probably has a role,' Trump remarked, suggesting that economic pressure had created leverage ahead of the talks. When asked if Trump might offer 'economic incentives' to Russia in exchange for ending the war in Ukraine, the US President refused to disclose details. 'I wouldn't want to play my hand in public,' he said. However, he emphasised that Russia had 'tremendous potential' in oil and gas, calling it 'a very profitable business.' Trump indicated that if the summit yielded positive results, he would immediately call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and invite him to a follow-up meeting at one of three possible locations – potentially even remaining in Alaska 'because it would be by far the easiest.' 'If it's a bad meeting, I'm not calling anybody. I'm going home,' he said. 'But if it's a good meeting, I'm going to call President Zelensky and the European leaders.' Trump placed the odds of failure at 25 per cent, warning that unsuccessful talks could lead to further sanctions against Moscow. 'In that case, I will return to run the country – and we have made America great again already in six months,' he declared. While stressing that he would not personally negotiate an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said it would be up to Putin and Zelensky to finalise any deal. 'I'm not going to negotiate their deal. I'm going to let them negotiate their deal,' he added. The US President confirmed he would address the press after the meeting, but left open whether it would be alongside Putin. 'I think it might be nice to have a joint [press conference], and then separates,' he said, noting that he would speak publicly regardless of whether the summit succeeded or collapsed. As the world watches, Friday's meeting in Alaska could mark either a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict or a deepening of geopolitical tensions – with India's role in the equation unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight.
Mint
15 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Four strategy pillars': India working to fast-track FTAs amid higher US tariffs, says Commerce Secretary
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal on August 14 said that the government is working on 'four strategy pillars', including fast-tracking of free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK and European Union to improve export competitiveness amid higher US tariffs on Indian exports, PTI reported. The other pillars are promoting ease of doing business, export diversification (products and markets), and import diversification, Barthwal said. According to Barthwal, India has requested the UK to fast-track approval of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which was signed on July 24, so that it comes into force as early as possible. He told reporters that negotiations with the EU have also been fast-tracked, adding, 'A lot of work has progressed in the proposed pact between India and the EU, and both sides are hoping to conclude the talks by the end of this year. There are further meetings that are going to happen on this at the negotiator, secretary and minister's level.' Meanwhile, talks with Oman have concluded, and the deal may be signed when dates are decided mutually by both countries, he said. 'That (trade pact with Oman) is very close in terms of signing,' the secretary said. Further, discussions are also progressing with New Zealand, Peru, and Chile. While review negotiations regarding an FTA in goods with the 10-nation Asean bloc is also happening. 'Yesterday we discussed how we can improve trade between India and ASEAN. We are also focussing on increasing FTA utilisation with countries with which we have already signed these pacts,' he said. Bathwal noted that working on a strategy is crucial for India amid the steep tariffs imposed by the US — Donald Trump's tariffs have climbed to a total combined 50 per cent on Indian imports into America. The decision is likely to impact key sectors such as chemicals, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery and textiles. 'There are uncertainties because of these are getting is still no clarity about what is happening on the globe. In this uncertain environment, we thought that let's have a clear-cut strategy so that we can focus on our exports in a manner which is within our have strategised across four pillars,' Barthwal said. Under strengthening export promotion, the ministry already has different export promotion schemes, but there is a need to further strengthen them. In import diversification, there is a need to reduce dependencies on a few countries and enhance domestic sales. "First approach is to focus on our free trade agreements (FTAs)," he said, adding the commerce ministry will work on fast tracking facilitating the utilisation of these pacts. "We are looking at saturation of FTA is a gradual process, but we will be focusing now more on this," he said. The ministry, he said, is now focusing on 30 more countries in addition to 20 earlier, for pushing India's exports. These 50 countries constitute more than 90 per cent of India's export basket, and they include Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Belgium, Nigeria, Oman and Poland. "As a strategy, we will focus on these countries. We will do more export promotion activities in these nations," Barthwal said. On the impact of US tariffs on India, an official said the ministry is in touch with stakeholders. 'We know the sectors that are more exposed towards the are talking to export promotion councils and trying to understand their exposure to the US,' the official said, adding states are also looking at how they help and facilitate exports. The official said trade in domestic currencies may also be discussed during meetings between a visiting high-level Indian delegation and Russian counterparts. "A very high-level delegation is going from MEA (Ministry of External Affairs), and the commerce will also be participating in that high-level delegation to Russia," the official said.
