Aug. 26 – Harley-Davidson has announced that it will enter the emerging Indian market with its range of elite cruiser motorcycles.
The details of their model-range and pricing in India are still pending release. With the economic slowdown taking grip in its home country, U.S. companies are now looking at expanding their markets abroad.
“Harley-Davidson continues to lay the groundwork for our market entry into India. We are making good progress on our overall plan to enter the market, and will have more details to share at the appropriate time,” a company spokesperson wrote in an email in response to Livemint when asked about the details of the company’s entry to the Indian market.
In 2007, Indian government allowed the importation of high-capacity powered two-wheelers to the country thus allowing bikes above 800cc to be brought in legally in exchange for the United States lifting the ban on Indian mangoes.
However, Harley-Davidson had to delay its foray into India that time because of emission rules and high excise duties charged by the government on 800cc and above capacity imported motorcycles that amounted to a 104 percent tax rate. Japanese bike manufacturer, Yamaha, who would enter the market and use of the import trade policy to launch its flagship model in India.
Livemint estimates that Harley-Davidson may price its bikes anywhere between
Rs400,000 to Rs1,400,000 including tax.
