Harley Davidson India is reportedly developing a motorcycle meant for the Indian domenstic market. The model is also expected to be exported to other ASEAN markets.
The proposed local model could cost around Rs.4 lakhs.
According to anonymous reliable sources, Harley Davidson India is working closely with the Indian suppliers on the design and development of a motorcycle that will fit the budget of Indian buyers. The parts for the model will be manufactured locally since imported bikes attract import duty of at least 90%, while Completely Knocked Down kits attract a duty of 30%; as such, the cost reduction on account of local manufacture can make a very substantial difference to the end-price.
Harley Davidson India has declined to confirm or deny the reports. In an email response, Sanjay Tripathi, Harley-Davidson India’s director (marketing), said: “To strengthen our operations in the country, Harley-Davidson has set up a CKD unit to assemble select motorcycle models for the Indian market. We have recently launched three CKD bikes in the market and will continue to focus on our CKD operations for the moment. Having said that, we will continue to carefully evaluate any option that may benefit our customers and the business, and as a longstanding company policy, we do not comment on market speculation or rumours.”
Harley Davidson bikes
The company commenced its operations in India in August 2009 and sold 200-250 motorcycles in India by December 2010.
The response having been quite encouraging, Harley Davidson began assembling some of its select models this year at its new factory in Bawal, near Haryana. Harley-Davidson currently sells 15 models of its motorcycles – most of them imported – priced above Rs.5.5 lacs through dealers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad and the company is looking into having dealers in Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai as well.
The new model is expected to have an engine displacement in the range of 500-750cc and will be ready for launch sometime between mid-2012 and early-2013, according to one of the confidential sources.
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