Jammu and Kashmir Gets a New Harley-Davidson Dealership
An all-American brand like Harley-Davidson can be a friendly face in exotic locales.
Kashmir — it’s not just one of the greatest Led Zeppelin songs. It’s a real place, and now, it’s home to a brand spanking new Harley-Davidson dealership.
The news comes to us from Financial Express. Jammu and Kashmir are a region wedged between India, Pakistan, and China. As it turns out, the rumbling V-Twin sound of freedom is a universal language, loved and understood by all.
The dealership is very small in size when compared to an American Harley-Davidson dealership. The showroom measures 2,000 square feet, with an additional 1,800 square foot workshop in the rear.
Motorcycles are popular as basic, everyday transportation in that region of the world.Very few can afford expensive, large-displacement bikes like Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson plans on launching a Chinese-built, small-displacement bike in the region by 2021, which should help sales there.
Still, the dealership had a great first day in business, delivering five new motorcycles. In case you were wondering, the first bikes to move out of the dealership were a Fat Bob, a Sportster Forty-Eight, a Sportster 1200 Custom, a Street Rod, and Street 750.
Harley-Davidson’s lineup is a little different in various parts of the world. For example, while the Sportster 1200 Custom model is no longer sold here, it’s alive and well in Jammu and Kashmir.
The dealership, named Ridges Harley-Davidson, is the first ever to open in Jammu and Kashmir. For many years, the region had been in a state of conflict, as China, India, and Pakistan all laid claim to the region. That was resolved — at least for now — by a resolution last year.
It’s a good sign that Harley-Davidson is opening a dealership in the area. It’s a small sign of healing. As we said before, the language of freedom, the rumble of a V-Twin, and the call of the open road are a language understood by all. Hopefully, it can help to maintain some peace, if not quiet!
Photos: Financial Times, Harley-Davidson
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