Royal Enfield to discontinue 500cc bikes next year when BS6 emission norms kick in.
The Indian automotive industry is currently witnessing a big shift to new BS6 emission norms that will be implemented from 1st April, 2020. Some of the manufacturers are pulling the plug off the low selling models as upgrading them to BS6 is costly and unviable.
Similarly, Royal Enfield has decided to discontinue 500cc bikes in India as they won’t be upgraded with BS6 compliant engines. The Indian bike maker is offering 500cc bikes since 30 years. The Classic, Thunderbird and Bullet series offer 500cc engine option.
Royal Enfield believes that the production of these low selling 500cc capacity motorcycles is unviable for the domestic market considering the high cost of BS6 upgradation.
The bike maker will upgrade their entire 350cc lineup to BS6 as the bikes are in good demand. The push rod architecture of the existing 350cc and 500cc engines do not meet the emission norms.
RE will come up with an all-new 350cc BS6 compliant engine and phase out all the existing 350cc and 500cc bikes. Even in the export market, the demand for 650cc powered Interceptor and Continental GT was more than the 500cc bikes.
Royal Enfield 500cc Bikes
– 500cc bikes will no longer be on sale from April 2020
– High upgradation cost to BS6 makes 500cc bikes unviable for production
– RE will upgrade all the 350cc bikes in the lineup to BS6
Source – LiveMint.com
