Indian Motorcycles is exploring the possibilities of bringing its cruiser range via the CKD route in the next 3 to 5 years, keeping the prices more competitive.
Indian Motorcycles opened its second dealership in India in Bangalore yesterday and simultaneously also unveiled the Roadmaster and Dark Horse cruisers for the Indian market. Since its arrival in the country in early 2014, the Polaris-owned American motorcycle maker has received a positive response for its luxury cruiser range and was quick to bring its other cruisers apart from the Chief series. With the Indian market promising immense growth in the years to come, the company said that it is exploring the possibilities of locally assembling its offerings in the country.
Indian Motorcycles though is not immediately looking at commencing local operations. The manufacturer will bring some of its offerings via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route but over the next three to five years. The company further stated that such a step will help bring down the prices on several of its offerings and help the company compete more fiercely against compatriot Harley-Davidson that has an assembly plant in Bawal, Haryana.
Currently, bikes above 800cc attract an import duty of 75 percent and local assembly will help keep the prices more competitive. Indian brings its entire range via the CBU route from its only manufacturing facility located in the US. Furthermore, the manufacturer also said it has been able to capture 10 percent of the 1600cc and above segment that is estimated to be around 200 units every year. The premium bike manufacturer is currently operating out of two dealerships with the first one located in Delhi-NCR and the company plans to open four more in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad each.
