After inaugurating its dealership in all metro cities, iconic US-based motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson is now focusing on smaller cities and towns to drive an annual growth rate of 25 percent in India, according to a PTI report.
Anoop Prakash, MD, Harley Davidson told reporters in Kolkata: “The next step will be the Tier-II and Tier-III cities and towns. We need to expand the rural markets as there is a lot of demand in cities like Bhubaneswar and Raipur". As part of its strategic dealership expansion drive across the country, the company today opened its dealership in Kolkata, the first in eastern India.
Besides other metros, the US two-wheeler major already has dealerships in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. '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.
What with more than a thousand Harley Davidson motorcycles on Indian roads now after the company started their India operations in 2010, Prakash said the the firm had a 40 percent market share in the premium motorcycle segment in the country.
'In the next five years, a year-on-year growth of 25-30 percent looks sustainable', the official noted. Famed for its distinctive designs the world over, Harley 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. They offer 16 models, including the popular Dyna-frame motorcycles, the report added.
