Triumph is hunting for a partner in India and is in talks with both well established two-wheeler makers as well as distributors for a CBU operation.
NEW DELHI: The relaxation of homologation norms for large bikes has opened the floodgates. Close on the heels of Harley Davidson, Kawasaki and Suzuki declaring their intent to come to India, it is now the turn of Britain’s cult bike maker, Triumph Motorcycles.
Triumph is hunting for a partner in India and is in talks with both well established two-wheeler makers as well as distributors for a CBU (completely build unit) operation.
Interestingly, Bajaj Auto was one of the Indian two-wheeler makers which has shown interest in getting Triumph to India last year; officials from Bajaj had visited the company’s manufacturing facilities in UK and met its top officials some months back.
But since then, Bajaj has bought an equity stake in Austrian bike maker KTM besides firming up a separate distribution arrangement with Kawasaki.
So is Triumph still talking to Bajaj, among other India companies, for a partnership? Export manager for Triumph Nick Bloor confirmed that Bajaj was in talks with his company last year but declined to reveal any more.
“We are looking at different options,” he said to a question on whether Bajaj is still in the race.
Triumph’s top management team, including managing director John Bloor and commercial director Tue Mantoni, is coming down to India this week on a “fact finding mission” before firming up distribution plans. Already, Triumph is sourcing some components from here and this operation could also be enhanced.
As of now, Tirumph has no manufacturing unit in the Asian region, preferring to operate through distributors in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Bloor said there were no plans to service neighbouring markets such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka through an Indian distribution arrangement as of now.
Triumph’s roster includes everything from the iconic Bonneville of the 1960s to the latest range including the Rocket III and the Speed Triple.
The £165-million ($336 million) company has cruisers, urban sports bikes and other lifestyle products in its range including apparel and accessories.
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