Last year, we exclusively reported that TVS would begin manufacturing Norton motorcycles in India in 2025. Now, TVS MD Sudarshan Venu has confirmed that the British brand will be launched by the end of this year. Given the fact that the existing Norton 961 and V4 models are already on sale in the UK, the launch referred to here is likely to be for the Indian market.
More details on upcoming Norton models
TVS-made Norton bikes will be aimed at Royal Enfield
TVS acquired this iconic British brand in 2020 for a relatively small sum of Rs 153 crore, but has since invested over Rs 1,000 crore in it. That investment was initially geared towards fixing issues with the existing Norton motorcycles, with the company then turning its focus to an all-new range of motorcycles. It is these new bikes that will likely be the first to be manufactured in India.
As we reported last year, TVS-owned Norton plans to launch six all-new motorcycles by 2027. We expect to see one or two of these new-age motorcycles go on sale first when Norton launches in India.
These new Norton motorcycles will be manufactured here in India, although the recently finalised Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK will be of great advantage to both companies. That’s because some manufacturing will still continue out of Norton’s new Solihull facility in the UK. However, Venu points out that this agreement will be of great advantage, stating, “Our British brand Norton will launch later this year, and this agreement will help us scale faster and leverage common supply chains.“
We expect to get our first look at the all-new Nortons around September this year, before they go on sale in India closer to the year-end. These bikes will join the likes of Indian-made Triumphs and Harley-Davidsons, all with the collective target of taking on Royal Enfield’s might in the retro motorcycle space.