Harley-Davidson India to expand its portfolio, celebrates 10th anniversary

2019 is the 10th year since Harley-Davidson started its operations in India. It was in July 2010 that the bike maker opened its first dealerships in the country and set up an assembly unit at Bawal, Haryana in the same year. At that time, it was the first manufacturing facility that was operating outside of the US.

Today, the brand has 31 Harley-Davidson dealerships and from February 18, these dealerships have been conducting a 10-day-long open house to offer the H-D lifestyle experience for riders and non-riders.

The past decade has seen Harley-Davidson India roll out many models based on several platforms, including Sportster, Dyna, Softail, V-Rod, Touring and Street. The authorised dealerships are also providing a full range of parts, accessories and general merchandise.

The company even started exporting models like the Street 750 to European and Asian markets from India. On July 30, 2018, the company had boldly highlighted its plan to develop affordable, small-displacement 250cc-500cc motorcycles for India. The company has also hosted several motorcycling experiences with the introduction of several initiatives, like Flat Track racing, Harley Rock Riders Festival and Harley-Davidson Owner’s Group riding programmes. Recently, the brand celebrated its seventh national India HOG Rally in Goa, where over 2,000 owners is said to have turned up.

In July 2018, the company announced the ‘More Roads to Harley-Davidson’, an accelerated plan to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders, grow motorcycling and return its business to growth through 2022. Harley-Davidson has announced that it is going to introduce new products in new markets and in new segments, including new middleweight motorcycles focused on three distinct product spaces – Adventure Touring, Custom and Streetfighter.

Speaking on the 10-year anniversary, Sajeev Rajasekharan, managing director, Harley-Davidson India said, “Harley-Davidson was one of the earliest entrants in the premium motorcycle category in India. Completing 10 years in India is just the beginning as we remain the cruiser of choice for many riders. We are thankful to our dealers, customers, riders and fans for all our accomplishments in the last 10 years. With their overwhelming response, we enter 2019 with a very positive outlook.”

He further added, “Within the next two years, we plan to offer our most comprehensive lineup of motorcycles ever, competing in many of the largest and fastest growing segments - across a broad spectrum of price points, power sources, displacements, riding styles and global markets.”

By 2020, the company plans to introduce a 1250 Adventure Touring model and the 975cc Streetfighter model. As per reports, additional models to broaden coverage in these product spaces will follow through 2022.

Also read: India finally becomes a priority market for Harley-Davidson