Hero in R&D tie-up with Erik Buell Racing

Hero MotoCorp entered into a partnership with Erik Buell Racing (EBR) of the US, encompassing multiple areas of collaboration. As part of the strategic partnership, HMCL will receive support in terms of technology and design to develop future models from EBR - the Wisconsin, US-based firm, which specialises in designing and manufacturing powerful and high-speed motorcycles.

Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said “This alliance is in keeping with my objective of quickly scaling up our own in-house R&D capabilities to a global two-wheeler technology power-house by leveraging a network of strategic international alliances. Erik and his team have been working closely with our engineers and designers to develop our next-generation range of products with cutting-edge technology and first-of-its-kind features.” Erik F. Buell, chairman & CTO of EBR, said, “Both HMCL and EBR share the common commitment to manufacturing world-class two-wheelers with technology of the future.

Six months after Hero unveiled a new logo and displayed two bikes, this alliance represents a significant step to obtaining technology which it now does from Honda at a fee. Honda and the Hero group parted ways in December 2010. Hero continues to rack up sales in excess of 500,000 units a month with the Splendor range being its top-selling bike product. Hero needs technology if it is to bring out high-powered bikes, a segment has seen a lot of action with Bajaj launching the Pulsar 200NS. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has a couple of high-powered bikes as well. Hero’s technology tie-up runs till 2014.