Kinetic’s Electric Energy – The Story of India’s Original People Mover

The book is that of a journey which moved generations. That’s how Dr Arun Firodia, Chairman of the Kinetic Group perceives it. The legacy of the Kinetic Group within the Firodia family also moves forward with Ajinkya Firodia, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kinetic Group, firmly in the saddle.

Five and a half decades ago, a far-sighted entrepreneur, Hastimal Kundanmal Firodia, founded the Kinetic empire. The pathbreaking product that appeared on Indian roads in the early 70s was Luna, the moped that became a byword in urban mobility for lakhs of Indians, so far dependent on the simple bicycle.

One of India’s most respected chronicler of all things automotive, Adil Jal Darukhanawala took it upon himself to record the historical journey of the Firodias as they scripted a definitive road map for 2-wheeler mobility through the Kinetic Group – from Luna through to Kinetic Honda to the forthcoming, futuristic Kinetic Electric’s Kinetic DX Electric scooter.

The 176 page coffee table book, simply titled Kinetic’s Electric Energy – The Story of India’s Original People Mover (Priced at Rs 3700) is filled with lovely photos from the early days to the present, with the narrative keeping pace with them, written in the easy going eloquent style which Adil is known for. As always, the book is a well-researched publication that will serve as a historical record of all things Kinetic.

Says Adil, in the Author’s Note: “The genesis of this book started fifty plus years ago when I began to interact with Arun Firodia during the heady days when Kinetic Engineering began discussions with Honda Motor Company to make the gearless wonder that was the Kinetic Honda scooter…..This book then is about not just three generations of the Firodia family but the story of a pioneer institution that put India on wheels in the simplest and most cost-effective manner possible.”

Ajinkya Firodia says, “I must compliment Adil for penning what is not just our history but also a very significant part of India’s automotive journey.”