In their quest for a new El Dorado (North America & Europe are no more), all major motorcycle manufacturers rush to India. Yesterday, British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph announced its entry into the Indian market with products slated to hit the roads by November 2013.
“In the past few months, we have carefully assessed the market landscape and will be making well-honed efforts to provide our discerning customers with a complete brand experience.” stated Paul Stroud, global director of sales and marketing. The company is currently recruiting dealers and will start assembling some of its models in India at the completely knocked down (CKD) assembly facility, which is nearing completion at Manesar, Haryana.
And now an opportunity to create a more “genuine” motorcycle. Can’t you make a Triumph fuel tank that isn’t an exposed, high-rise, clam-shell seam like a 1962 Honda Dream?
The name Triumph deserves better than that. Doesn’t it?
A triumph of globalization.
India…where ever….
Just make-em simple, light, and quick steering.
(like your basic T120R)
And no more body-work ….Puleeezzz…..!!!!
Replacing all that E85 rotted fuel hoses can waste a day.
Most of the time spent removing, refitting, and adjusting body panels.
Not to mention chasing down a zillion escapee sheet-metal screws and clips …… 🙁
Back to basics…. 🙂
-nicker-
Don’t have to make or Build them with much quality. India is a perfect place to build a Triumph. Look at those Bikes that they Build for the last 30 years. They were better 30 years ago. India just Sucks!
izadore007.Indians assemble VMAXes.A VMAX is way beyond anything H-D has ever build in over a century of production.I employed a Indian machinist well over a decade ago.He did good work,fast and was a fluent English speaker and an all round great guy.Royal Enfield India has build Bullets since about 1958 and runs double shifts to meet demand.Don’t let the facts get in the way of a minor rant based on jack.KTM and Eric Buell maybe know something you don’t?
India is a country with a thriving motorcycle culture. Motorcycles are everywhere, for so many they are primary transportation. Also, the market is becoming more open and competitive all the time. I own an Indian made Royal Enfield and its a hell of a motorcycle. No its not fast on the highway. It can go a bit faster than 75, but I won’t ride it faster than that.
But I took it off road on some dirt and grass and it did great, it also can handle bad roads great.
In India people aspire to own a Royal Enfield. Most people start with Japanese bikes or knockoffs. The competition in the 100-300 cc range over there is unreal. So many excellent bikes to choose from for less than $2000 USD.
Harley Davidson, Triumph, KTM and others are all in India for a reason. Also, Polaris has a joint venture with Eicher motors the parent company of Royal Enfield to make utility vehicles.
Royal Enfield has gone from roughy 25,000 motorcycles a year to 125,000 motorcycles a year in less than 6 years. That kind of growth is huge. This has happened in an era where the riders there have MORE CHOICE not less. With the new Unit Construction Engines Royal Enfield is making some great mid sized bikes (Small in the US and European Markets). With their new factory they are gearing up to make 250,000 motorcycles a year. They are also going to up their exports.
The midsized market is picking up worldwide. Honda has 8 new models of motorcycles in the United States. Not a one is over 1000cc. All are between roughly 250cc and 850cc. That space has huge potential worldwide.
There are huge parts of the world where the roads aren’t really ready for 90 to 100 mile an hour travel on a motorcycle. Also, in many parts of the world the roads are full of potholes and some aren’t even what we would consider a road. In those areas being able to handle bad roads is essential. That why Royal Enfield and KTM and others are doing so well.
Talk to someone from India, they almost always have ridden motorcycles. Cars are still so expensive and out of reach for so many there. But owning a Royal Enfield is a sign you are moving up in the world. Its an aspirational bike. KTM is really getting noticed there. Harley Davidson isn’t doing great yet. I think they need to design a Harley for that market, not just build the Iron 883 there. If Triumph builds the right motorcycles for the market at a good price, they will indeed sell.
My Royal Enfield is my first motorcycle. I love it. I go to bike events with hundreds of great Harley Davidsons, but people stop, look at my bike and ask me about it. Yeah, its slow, yeah its odd, but it gets lots of attention and its fun to ride. I love the perplexed look people get when I say ints a 2012, not a vintage bike.
India is a huge market for motorcycles and the people there have a huge passion for them. Its also one where leisure riding is just starting. Most motorcycles are for transportation. If you want to be a global player in Motorcycles you are in India, period.