Harley-Davidson, arguably the world’s most popular cruise bike brand, has sold 4,000 of its bikes in India in the first three years of its operations in India.
The company, which opened its first dealership in July 2010, opened its 12th showroom in the country in Panaji, Goa.
“Buoyed by the positive response of customers across the country, Harley-Davidson India has undertaken strategic expansion plans particularly in the western region,” the company said in a statement.
Harley-Davidson’s launch has been beneficial for its local rival, the Royal Enfield.
In 1956 Enfield of India started assembling Bullet motorcycles under licence from UK components, and by 1962 were manufacturing complete bikes. Enfield of India bought the rights to use the Royal Enfield name in 1995. Royal Enfield production, based in Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, continues and Royal Enfield is now the oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in production with the Bullet model enjoying the longest motorcycle production run of all time.
Both companies, however, aim for different price segments. While Enfield bikes typically cost Rs 100,000-300,000, the cheapest Harleys in India cost Rs 590,000 ($9,800). The Harleys are not made in India, and are assembled in Gurgaon. They attract heavy import duties.
The American company has dealers in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Indore and Pune.