Harley Davidson Softail FLSTF Fat Boy and FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic

American cult bike maker, Harley Davidson has announced that its planning to set up an assembly facility in Haryana, India which will serve the demand in the local market and will also bring down prices as a result.

Harley Davidson at Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi

The new assembly line will be operational in the first half of the year 2011 and will assemble the bikes coming to India via CKD route instead of the CBU route which attracts very high duties. The company first displayed its bikes at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi earlier this year and currently sells 12 models which are fully imported from USA.

“This investment (to set up a factory) will allow Harley-Davidson to improve our market responsiveness and production flexibility while reducing the tariff burden, which we expect will drive growth over time by making our bikes more accessible to India’s consumers.” said President and COO., Matthew S. Levatich, Harley Davidson.

The company has not yet decided which models will be assembled in India but has already earmarked several million dollars for investment in 70000 square feet of land for the assembly facility. Harley Davidson is also increasing its dealership network in India and has already appointed a dealer each at Ahmedabad, Kochi and Kolkatta.

BMW has already announced its entry into the Indian bike market by December this year while Honda is already readying an affordable 250cc in the form of recently announced CBR250R and the KTM and higher capacity Bajaj sports bike is already under works. Exciting times for the much deprived Indian biker and they are here to stay.

Related Posts

• January 8, 2010 -- Auto Expo 2010: Harley Davidson Rides Into India With 12 Models

Harley Davidson Softail Painted in Indian Tri Color

There are two kinds of people in this world – those who love Harley Davidson and the one’s who don’t and then there are people who have Harley’s and the one’s who wished they had! The wait is finally over for Harley Davidson enthusiasts in the country as beginning April you would be able to book your very own Harley Davidson.

Any resemblance to your car's dashboard is purely co-incidental!

The cult US motorcycling brand has entered India with their full range of five motorcycling families – the Dyna, the VRSC, the Sportster, the Softail and the top of the range Touring series. The bikes have been priced from starting from Rs 6.95 Lakhs to Rs 34.95 Lakhs Ex-Showroom, Delhi offering the widest choice to buyers.

Harley Davidson Night Rod which has a Porsche developed 1100cc V twin!

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Anoop Prakash, Managing Director Harley-Davidson India said, “For over a century, Harley-Davidson has inspired motorcycles across the world to celebrate their passion for riding. Our experience in leading the leisure motorcycle market worldwide makes us naturally suited to help lead and define leisure riding in India. We entered India with a promise to bring riders the pure Harley-Davidson experience with bikes from every family. Over the past year, we have listened to riders across India at our many events, and we have produced a line-up to stir their soul.”

Harley Davidson Flagship Road King

The company will announce five dealerships in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chandigarh in the due course with the aim of increasing the total count to more than 20 within the next 5 years.

“The bikes will be imported as completely built units (CBUs). That’s why there is 100 per cent import duty. However, we will see how the market matures and we are open to manufacturing in India if it is viable. We are here to create a new culture of leisure riding,” said Mr Prakash.

Jump over for images of Harley Davidson’s whole range for India.

Harley Davidson @ Auto Expo 2010

Related Posts

• November 2, 2010 -- Harley Davidson To Be Made In India