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Hero Hires Former BMW Designer Markus Braunsperger

Indian motorcycle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp is headhunting, and the latest name to join the ranks of the bike giant is Markus Braunsperger, who will head its R&D division. Hero’s Research and Development was started in September 2013 as a special project by Hero’s vice-chairman Pawan Munjal, and is aimed at bringing a modern, more aggressive approach to the bikes Hero plans to export in international markets.
Hero Hastur concept 3 photos
Photo: Hero Motocorp
Hero's R&D center and key figuresHero Hastur
Markus Braunsperger is an ex-BMW employee and has worked in the design division, with the most notable projects he has been involved with being the Series 3, 5,7, X3 and X5 cars. However, Braunsperger has also been in charge of the R&D team of BMW Motorrad, so he arrives with a comprehensive expertise in both “armies”.

Hero’s Centre for Global Innovation and Research & Design will be located in Kukas, near the major city of Jaipur, and it looks like Erik Buell Racing will also play a role in this. Indian sources report that Erik Buell himself was present at the launch of the R&D center, and with the latest Hero bikes announced which already show a different design paradigm, it’s obvious to see that the North American manufacturer is not idling.

Hero MotoCorp actually bought a minority at EBR, funding the development of the new motorcycles and helping EBR expand its dealer network, crossing the pond in Europe. In exchange, EBR will infuse the Indian motorbikes with modern, racing-derived technology and upgraded design as Hero will soon begin exporting to the western markets.

Now, bringing Markus Braunsperger as its R&D boss, Hero will also benefit partially from the German way of designing motorcycles, a thing which in our book, should produce quite interesting results. It’s too late to see new Hero machinery this fall at the European bikes shows, but we should definitely prepare for some truly interesting 2015 appearances.
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