[Testiphony]

Harley Davidson has been plotting its plan for success in India for quite a while now. India has a growing professional class that are prime customers for Harley. These occupations include IT professionals, HR heads, doctors, architects, real estate consultants, and bureaucrats. Even film stars are jumping on the Harley Davidson band wagon.

Indian cities with a large British influence have a strong biking culture. It is especially prevalent in Bangalore. Professional, mainly from the IT sector, have had the chance to travel overseas, and they bring back with them a first hand look at the biking culture that is flourishing overseas. Other hotbeds for motorcycle culture are Delhi and Mumbai.

Harley Davidson began expanding its production and assembly operations to India over the past few years. This is the only place that Harley Davidson produces motorcycles outside of the US. India has a steep customs duty on imported motorcycles (75%), but these fees are avoided by assembling bikes locally. The FatBoy, Fat Boy Special, Superlow, Iron 883 and Heritage Softail Classic all got price reductions because of this move.

The Street 750 will start being sold in India this month, and at a price under Rs 5 lakh, it will be the cheapest Harley Davidson on sale in the world. It will be an entry-level bike that aims to allow potential customers to "buy a Harley motorcycle when they want to and not when they can afford to."

Some may be disappointed to hear that the Street 500 will not be sold alongside the Street 750 in India, though it could be brought to the market later. The decision came as a result of a survey of 3,000 customers across 10 countries that found that India had the most demand for the Street 750.

Since 2010, Harley Davidson India has sold 4,000 motorcycles, but the brand expects that number to increase greatly over the next few years as the Indian economy continues to grow. Indeed, Harley isn't the only brand who sees this happening. Brands like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Triumph are all investing in this growing market as well.

 

[harleyhoonigan]

At least news papers are picking up on it, good to see that.
But the downside is theres a long wait to go till it actually drops.

Patience....wish I had more.

 

[Yusef]

I read about a lot of companies that are expanding their motorcycle sales into India. It really seems like the big thing for the motorcycle market right now. Harley is definitely on the pricier end of the market for India. I wonder what type of people will be buying the HD Street in India. I still think that you need to be middle class to buy this bike there. It may not be super expensive but it is not cheap either.

 

[harleyhoonigan]

I read about a lot of companies that are expanding their motorcycle sales into India. It really seems like the big thing for the motorcycle market right now. Harley is definitely on the pricier end of the market for India. I wonder what type of people will be buying the HD Street in India. I still think that you need to be middle class to buy this bike there. It may not be super expensive but it is not cheap either.

This is correct. I know KTM is like this too. They're crazy will filling the Indian market with bikes. The growth will only continue to grow with competition.

 

[fkystreet]

It is a smart decision on Harley Davidsons part. And a decision to ensure their survival and success as well as growth


The motorcycle industry in Asia is growing much faster than the NA market. In fact pretty much any market in Asia is growing faster than NA.

Affordable is key if they want to sell in large quantities. And the Street 500 and 750 are the most affordable of the HD brand.

What makes HD better than others? Because there are many other brands that are sold in India. Ducati, KTM, Japanese brands..

Well to start Harley Davidson is AMERICAN. Anyone who has been to Asia knows that there seems to be an obsession with anything that is American. And considering HD is an American icon... That works great for them. (even though the sold in India streets aren't made in the USA)



As long as it doesn't effect us here negatively stateside I have no problem with HD expanding to Asia. That just means more cash flow for HD to make and develop more motorcycles for us

 

[stude]

As long as it doesn't effect us here negatively stateside I have no problem with HD expanding to Asia. That just means more cash flow for HD to make and develop more motorcycles for us [/QUOTE]


I agree, I have no issue with American factories overseas as long they are serving the overseas market and bringing the net $$$$ back here. Unlike all the dirt bag American companies that have their goods made overseas and import them back to America to sell to the very people they sent to the unemployment lines.
I better go read a different thread now... I feel my blood pressure rising.

 

[harleyhoonigan]

Dont worry about HD going global, HD is staying true to 'merica. They're even making american street models in america! Thankfully it's not going to be made in India or even China!

Indian market models will be made in india.

 

[fkystreet]

As long as it doesn't effect us here negatively stateside I have no problem with HD expanding to Asia. That just means more cash flow for HD to make and develop more motorcycles for us

I agree, I have no issue with American factories overseas as long they are serving the overseas market and bringing the net $$$$ back here. Unlike all the dirt bag American companies that have their goods made overseas and import them back to America to sell to the very people they sent to the unemployment lines.
I better go read a different thread now... I feel my blood pressure rising.[/QUOTE]
I accept things based on pricing.

If I see that a product that is made in China is cheap. I expect it to be cheaply made.

If I see a product that is expensive that is made in China. I do not understand why that company did not just make them in North America. Companies are too selfish and greedy. All decisions are profit driven.

As for Harley moving to India - it is also a profit driven decision but as long as it does not effect us here I have no problem.

India is the second largest motorcycle market in the world just behind China at over 10 million motorcycles sold in a year and showing no signs of giving up. There is an increasing demand in India for higher end bikes. The Street can pass as a higher end bike coming from a higher end company but at a more affordable price.

The four largest motorcycle markets are right in Asia so if manufacturers aren't selling there? They aren't profiting.

Plus by having factories there they can also have some less important parts made there and shipped back to north America for assembly.

I just want to keep the important aspects of a motorcycle made in the USA.