Two-wheeler market has been of interest to many overseas players. It was only a matter of time before global biggies joined bandwagon.
NEW DELHI: The Indian two-wheeler market has been of interest to many overseas players for some time. It was only a matter of time before more of the global biggies joined the Japanese bandwagon.
At the forefront of this race to the subcontinent is the Milwaukee, US-based cult bike maker Harley-Davidson.
Two Chinese companies -Chongqing Lifan and Loncin - are also holding talks with Indian players in a bid to firm up their entry plans, according to industry sources.
Harley-Davidson has, in fact, already held several rounds of discussions with the government on two issues: formulating specific emission norms for heavy motorcycles and the high incidence of taxation on importing such a product into the country. Harley boasts of superbikes - or monsters, if you please —-such as Sportster, Dyna and Softail in its legendary line-up.
“We believe with the closer ties between our two countries (India and the US) and the investment that certain other firms are making in India that there would be a real interest in Harley-Davidson’s brand and the opportunity to ride one of our ‘hogs’ over there,” Tim Hoelter, vice-president of government affairs for Harley Davidson was quoted as saying in Milwaukee on Friday.
Chongqing Lifan is actually not a new name for Indian bike enthusiasts, since this company has been planning to launch its products for more than two years in the country. Even now, it has held several rounds of discussions with Indian automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra about a possible partnership for bringing its bikes into India. It has also expressed intention to set up a manufacturing plant.
Peer Loncin is also believed to have initiated talks with M&M and tested some of its engines for the latter’s benefit. But does this mean that M&M will finally bring one of the two Chinese bike brands here?
Analysts said M&M may be chary of a solo two-wheeler ride so is talking to both Lifan and Loncin . M&M officials remained unreachable for comment.
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