"Harley recently dropped a bomb when it announced that it would pull from the Indian market to refocus its activities on its bigger markets. The news understandably didn’t sit well with the 33 Indian Harley dealers impacted by the move and it wasn’t long before rumors of lawsuits surfaced.

While the Motor Company announced on the one hand that would exit India, on the other, it also secured a partnership with local giant Hero. While initially there were talks of Harley distribution via the Hero network, it sounds like the plan could be a little more complex. According to information gathered by the Indian media during a call with Hero MotoCorp Chief Financial Officer Niranjan Gupta, it sounds like future Harley-Davidson bikes sold in India will actually be developed by Hero.

“As part of the deal, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name in the country,” the statement read. “Besides, it will take care of service and parts requirements for Harley bikes.”

What that means is that Harley won’t produce the bikes sold in India, Hero will. Hero will pretty much take over for Harley in the local market, including production, marketing, and service. The Indian manufacturer will likely also benefit from the Motor Company’s designs to give the future premium models a proper “American” feel while also offering a more competitive range of price. For Harley, it will mean a much faster expansion in the challenging market that is premium motorcycles in India.

"The partnership is going to be mutually beneficial for both the companies and the ride together in the premium segment will definitely be enriching,” said Gupta of the agreement.

As for the dealers, the latest information suggests that only 10 of the 33 disgruntled Harley dealers were approached by Hero to change switch their banner over to the Indian brand. The remaining 23 stores have yet to hear back from Harley or Hero about compensation."

https://www.rideapart.com/news/45886...son-india/amp/

This is the first that I heard they will actually develop their own bikes with the Harley badge. This could be interesting as I am sure they will be smaller displacement bikes than the big V-twins. It will be interesting to see what the Indians come up with as their version of a premium Harley Davidson.

 

It sounds like we will see a significant change to traditional Harley Davidson motorcycles globally. Traditional HD and Hero HD. No idea how this is going to work, but it probably looks good to the Motor Company business-wise or they would not consider it. I can't imagine HD letting the Hero HD into the USA, but who knows?

Maybe we'll see a 2 tier Forum; 1 for each "brand".

 

The MOCO is screwing the HD's dealers oversea.

 

Arent they already licensing a small cc bike produced by another company overseas? Or did that get axed under the Rewire?

 

QingJiang is making a 338cc bike for sale in China, which uses Harley's name and styling under license, yes.

 

Shouldn't heads be rolling over in Polaris? Such a missed opportunity...

"Doh! We could have had 'Indian' bikes made in India and sold in India...."

 

All I heard was "Harley Davidson", "India" and "Premium".

None of those words go together in any context.

 

I am going with, they have no means to compete in any of these markets, so they will sell their name to someone who can. The real treat is when some of these bikes get back to the states through non official channels. Basically what good old Indian motorcycle did for the decades when it changed hands regularly. Hell there are some odd Harley bikes out there many would be aghast at if made and sold in the US today.

Based on the world wide exit from new petrol powered motor vehicles we are likely two see only two more large V twins out of Harley if we are even that lucky.

 

Not true. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is top drawer quality. Now a top seller in the UK, after the BMW GS. Getting rave reviews, for less than £6k. Triumph have a hole in their sales. The world is changing.

 

That doesn't change my opinion. But hey, nice try