Harley Davidson to launch its Roadster Model in India
India: The
American multinational is going to expand its sportser range of bikes portfolio
in the country in November 2016. Harley is planning to introduce the new
Roadster at an expected ex-showroom price of about USD15,000 in the country.
Considering the changing business environment
for cars in India, along with the ban on selected diesel (2,000cc and above)
vehicles in Delhi-NCR by the apex court of India, Supreme Court. Followed by
the ban on diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR, diesel cars with more than 2,000cc engine
capacity which was earlier banned in Kerala by National Green Tribunal (NGT)
has consequently forced the luxury car maker to foray its models’ in petrol
variant.
The initial step is being taken by the
company to embrace its motorcycle portfolio in the confident two wheeler market
of India. According to the company officials, Harley Davidson would introduce
its recently launched Roadster motorcycle on the Indian shores by November,
2016. While discussing about the motorcycle, the personnel added that the
motorcycle belonged to the Sportser family of Harley and would be the second
new introduction by the American multinational in the same year, after the 1200
Custom bike.
In the international market, the Roadster was
unveiled in April, 2016. Moreover, the Harley’s Roadster would be assembled
locally in India and is likely to be priced at USD15,000 (ex-showroom) in the
market.
According to a recent report published by TechSci Research, “India
Premium Motorcycles Market
Forecast and Opportunities, 2020”, India’s premium motorcycles market witnessed
a major turnaround with rapid increase in demand for premium motorcycles since
2012. The country’s high net worth individuals and upper middleclass section of
the population was further lured with the introduction of low priced
domestically assembled premium motorcycles, thereby boosting premium motorcycle
sales in India.
As
per TechSci Research, India has been a growing market for premium motorcycle
brands such as Harley Davidson, Triumph, Hyosung and many others. Also, Harley
Davidson counts among the top players in the domestic premium motorcycle
companies. The rapidly increasing purchasing power among the citizens of the
country, has been driving the sale of such bikes in the Indian market. However,
this fact has forced the American bikemaker to plan and introduce its sportser range of motorcycle across
the country.