Everything’s official about it now. Twenty-nine days after Autocar Professional broke the news about ex-Triumph Motorcycles India managing director Vimal Sumbly being tipped to join Chennai-based Royal Enfield, Sumbly himself has confirmed the same in a tweet last night: “Started my new ride with Royal Enfield ...”

Sumbly has joined Royal Enfield as Head – Asia Pacific starting September 2018. The ex-managing director of Triumph Motorcycles' India operations is expected to now drive the sales of Royal Enfield motorcycles in the Asia Pacific region, which is one of the largest two-wheeler markets in the world. Sumbly brings to the table strong experience of capably setting up and driving sales of premium motorcycles for the British big bike manufacturer.

Sumbly’s joining Royal Enfield will give a fillip to  the company’s aggressive global growth game-plan for the soon-to-be-launched incoming 650cc twins – the Interceptor and the Continental GT. The commercial launch of both the premium motorcycles is expected during this festive season, first in global markets followed by India.

In FY2018, Royal Enfield exported 19,264 motorcycles, which marks 25 percent YoY growth and 2.4 percent of its India sales. In the domestic market last fiscal, it has sold 801,229 units, a YoY growth of 23 percent. With ample manufacturing capacity in hand, the company will be looking make headway in new global markets. Sumbly's expertise and experience will come handy. 

Photo: Vimal Sumbly/Twitter