India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp is striving to increase its foothold in the international markets alongside the Indian market. The Indian two-wheeler maker came up with a soft launch at the inaugural American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) in Orlando, Florida. With the aim of becoming a global player, Hero MotoCorp will roll out its products in the US and Canada starting summer 2014. As we all know, Erik Buell Racing is the American based technology partner for Hero MotoCorp.
EBR has been appointed as the distributor for Hero products. Apart from being an exclusive distributor of Hero products, Erik Buell Racing also plans to set up manufacturing and assembly plants in North America eventually. At the AIMExpo, Hero MotoCorp showcased bikes such as the Hunk, Karizma ZMR, HF Deluxe Eco, Splendor Pro and the Pleasure scooter. However, pricing and product details to be offered are yet to be decided. The Indian company believes that despite the domination of heavier bikes (600cc and above) in the US market, smaller two-wheelers in the range of 100cc to 250cc can also be successful.
The main competitors in the US market currently include brands like Harley-Davidson, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, Yamaha and Honda. Hero MotoCorp is investing $25 million (Rs. 158 crores) for acquiring EBR. It has already invested $15 million (Rs. 95 crores). Hero MotoCorp’s R&D team is also working towards developing new models for global customers. Hero MotoCorp envisions being available in around 50 countries across the globe by the year 2020. The manufacturer has recently introduced its updated lineup in India and promises to roll out new products frequently to keep its pole position.
