Photo: Indian Motorcycle
Polaris is on an expansion spree with its Indian Motorcycle brand, but this is old news. What is, however, newsworthy, is the fact that Indian is now launching a new "attack" on its arch-rival Harley-Davidson... on Indian soil.
Having set foot in India earlier last year, Indian managed to sell almost 200 units through its only dealership in Delhi, and this was regarded as a huge success. If the 200-unit figure sounds ridiculously small, you should remember that Indian is selling imported completely built units (CBU), and they are heavily taxed. The local taxes drive the prices to insane quotes so selling 200 bikes in the debut year even with insane prices IS a success.
Even so, Indian introduced the Roadmaster and the Chief Dark Horse by opening the second dealership, in Bangalore. By the end of 2015, the Indian network in India will grow with no less than four new showroom, Polaris India Managing Director Pankaj Dubey tells the media.
Indian's presence will extend with dealerships that will open in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, with the one in Mumbai being almost ready to roll. It will open its doors next month, in a location that's very close to DSK-Benelli and Triumph Motorcycle dealerships.
Polaris has even bigger plans for Indian in this new market. A very important step will be taken with a plant for the local assembly of Indian bikes as CKD units. With the parts imported from the US, and the bikes assembled in India, the import duties will no longer apply, allowing Indian to lower the prices and improving the sales figures.
No mention as to which bikes are envisaged to be built in India was made at the time of writing. Again, it's game on on Indian soil, as well.
Looking forward to an Indian CKD plant
The cheapest Indian bike sells in India for the equivalent of $18,800 (€16,450), while the most expensive comes with a $54,700 (€47,800) price tag. Now, compare these prices to what you'd spend on an Indian in the US and understand the real dimensions of the whole thing.Even so, Indian introduced the Roadmaster and the Chief Dark Horse by opening the second dealership, in Bangalore. By the end of 2015, the Indian network in India will grow with no less than four new showroom, Polaris India Managing Director Pankaj Dubey tells the media.
Indian's presence will extend with dealerships that will open in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, with the one in Mumbai being almost ready to roll. It will open its doors next month, in a location that's very close to DSK-Benelli and Triumph Motorcycle dealerships.
Polaris has even bigger plans for Indian in this new market. A very important step will be taken with a plant for the local assembly of Indian bikes as CKD units. With the parts imported from the US, and the bikes assembled in India, the import duties will no longer apply, allowing Indian to lower the prices and improving the sales figures.
No mention as to which bikes are envisaged to be built in India was made at the time of writing. Again, it's game on on Indian soil, as well.
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