Hero MotoCorp extends tie-up with Harley-Davidson for new motorcycle

India’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has extended its partnership with US-based premium motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Motor to co-develop and manufacture a new motorcycle as well as expand the existing co-developed model - X440 - into new variants.

Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have been collaborating since 2020 to co-develop and sell premium motorcycles for India and select international markets. The Harley-Davidson X440, launched in 2023, was the first co-developed model. It is being manufactured at Hero MotoCorp's Garden Factory at Neemrana in Rajasthan and has an ex-showroom price of Rs 2.80 lakh.

Explaining the rationale behind the extension of the partnership, Hero MotoCorp said in an exchange filing: “Extension of existing collaboration between Hero and H-D, which has been in place since October 2020, to expand the X440 motorcycle into new variants and to develop and manufacture a new motorcycle.”

Entry level or 100-110 motorcycles has been the core of Hero MotoCorp. However, with the premium motorcycle market growing at a significantly higher rate than the commuter segment over the recent years, Hero MotoCorp shifted its focus more toward the 125cc and premium segments as well as XTECH variants with a strategy involving the highest number of product launches in the current financial year.

The collaboration with Harley-Davidson is seen as an attempt by Hero MotoCorp to change its brand image in the premium space. In January, Hero MotoCorp introduced its roadster model – Mavrick. It is based on Harley-Davidson’s X440 platform and the first co-developed model to be sold under Hero’s brand.

The extension of the partnership also comes at a time when Hero MotoCorp is working on its first electric motorcycle. Autocar Professional had earlier reported that Hero MotoCorp intends to have a portfolio of six electric motorcycles under the Vida range and another four motorcycles under its alliance with Zero Motors starting from 2025-2026.

Other major two-wheeler makers - Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor -  also have partnerships with Triumph and BMW Motorrad, respectively, to co-develop and manufacture premium two-wheelers here. ENDS