Harley Davidson targets 10-fold jump in India

Harley Davidson has received a good response so far in the Indian market and riding on the success has aiming for a ten-fold increase in sales in India by 2015-16 to 10,000 units a year. With more models planned for the Indian market the company is looking to expand its base. After opening its dealership in all metro cities, iconic US-based motorcycle maker Harley Davidson is now targeting smaller cities and towns to drive an annual growth rate of 25 per cent in India.

Besides other metros, the company already has dealerships in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. The company recently opened its new dealership in Kolkata, the first in eastern India.  “By the end of this year, we will be in Kochi and Goa too. Later on, we might go to Jaipur and Bhubaneswar as well,” Prakash said.

(Harley-Davidson shows its might at 2012 Auto Expo)

With more than a thousand Harley Davidson bikes on Indian roads now after the company started their India operations in 2010, he said the company has a 40 per cent market share in the premium bike segment in the country.

Since the time Harley formally entered India in July, 2010, the company sold over 1,000 bikes, which is a good number. The Super bike market above 800 cc stood at 1600 units in 2011 and it is growing at 40-45% per annum.

Famed for its distinctive designs the world over, Davidson produces premium heavyweight custom, cruiser, and touring motorcycles. The base model starts at Rs 5.60 lakh.

To develop biking culture in India, the management has also set up the Harley Owners’ Group in many cities, where the bike owners plan weekend or overnight trips with families riding their Harley Davidsons.  Harley Davidson offers 16 models.