Milwaukee-based Iconinc bike maker Harley-Davidson on Tuesday said it will start an assembly facility of its motorcycles in India by the first half of 2011, making it the second facility outside the US.
This investment will allow us to improve our market responsiveness and production flexibility while reducing the tariff burden, which we expect will drive growth over time by making our bikes more accessible to India's consumers," said Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew S. Levatich.
The company will set up the new facility near Bawal in Haryana and expects the assembly facility to be operational in the first half of 2011, it said in a statement.
However, the bike maker did not divulge any details on the production capacity or the investment that will be made in the facility.
This announcement comes from the bike-maker, on backdrop of President Barack Obama's first state visit to India on November 6, which is expected to focus on trade and business opportunities between the two countries.
Harley-Davidson India commenced operations in August 2009 and opened its first dealership in July 2010. The Company currently offers 12 models in its 2010 line-up in India, available through authorized dealerships in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad.
They will never look like this while riding....
FFS... I bet Harley go down the same road as ROYAL ENFIELD did when they moved to India >>>>>>>>>>>>>> SHIT
If the company has any sort of a futue it's a good move. Gone are the days where they can produce solely in the U.S, that might work for the U.S market but as we see here in Australia we pay through the nose for it. Production in India will reduce costs to this part of the word and open a whole new market for them in Asia.
Well didnt Harley sell the rights to the japanese in the first place IE Rikuo.
Dont forget its away around the tarrif barrier set up by the indians there import duties are huge and to get the pricing down thats why they open joint facilities.
Little known fact where are ford fiesta and Hyundi I20 made that are running around on our roads made right know.
Royal Enfield india are a joke the company bought the tooling after enfield ceased production in the uk and then went under it is know known as Royal Enfield. Thats why they prefer Joint ventures.
Buy the way do you know that the limit of 150 bugati veron allocated for india (3 years)was sold out in less then one month it has the worlds largest middle class thats why they are doing it Sales
Where's John Wayne when you need him, he was good at taking care of Indians. Sorry, I mean Injans!
If you buy a cheaparse Harley made in India, for a lot less $'s, the money saved could be used on all the go fast stuff on the market now, S&S, PM, etc etc. I reckon more than half the HD buyers these days upgrade their stockers? I will buy a Harley from India, if I ever have to again. I'll tweek it to my own satisfaction. It's a hard world out there for big businesses to keep on going, to hold their heads above water is a good term. If AMF (BBBRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!) didn't own HD for a few years,years ago, there wouldn't be a HD company now,believe it or not! Harley's history books are mindblowing reading as in how they have survived all these 107 yrs. If their made in "where ever", I'll still buy one. How many riders own AMF Harley's and touched em up to be more reliable? It all boils down to BIG $$$$$$$$'s for companies to survive. (lots of other cool bikes out there,but HARLEY FUCKEN DAVIDSON......................is still on the top of my list, no matter where their made.)
If they give each worker a headset they can handle complaints & sales as well, that will save even more $$$$$$ & realy shit the rest of us off
Chrome hand-controls made in Taiwan Genuine Harley-Davidson, Live to ride Chrome Emblems for the primary made in Taiwan Genuine Harley-Davidson, New Genuine Harley Davidson Rims Made in Italy, Indian assembled Motorbike, You would have to expect it, probably have USA stamped on it as well.
I fucken would!! I'd get the bastard going reliably and sorted to my specs, fuck any other non Harley (NEW) bikes. I've got an AMF 69 FLH and it's still going. A Harley is a Harley no matter what. I'd buy an Indian built Harley just to give you the shits and any other bastard that puts shit on Harleys. I'd park it next to your Yamaguchi or Leadwing or whatever and still win best bike. Maybe a concourse Vincent Black Shadow might pip me at the post, or a Brough Superior or Egli Vincent ( Francis Barnett) or Manx ........... I think 4 non rainy days so far this month is gettin to me AND SHITLOADS MORE ON THE WAY
Let's not kid ourselves the lower manufacturing cost of the Indian made Harleys will make them cheaper here in OZ; or anywhere else for that matter.
The savings to Harley, primarily in labour costs, will be money in the pocket for HARLEY and no-one else - it's called BUSINESS.
Look at all NIKE products & LEVIS Jeans & ADIDAS etc, etc; all those name brands and more. It's ALL made in the sweat shops of the various banana republics dotted across the third World economies. And are those products cheaper here?
I do agree with the comment about 'American Made' Hogs encouraging a good re-sale price, but for Indian made Harleys they'll be no savings for us at all - and re-sale even worse.
Don't get ya hopes up!
Production in India may be cheeper, but the Harleys will be no cheeper to buy from the steelers. Just like the Land Rovers made by Tata !
