By Patty Murray, Wisconsin Public Radio
DELHI, INDIA (WPR) Milwaukee-based Harley Davidson says the time is right to start selling motorcycles in India. More than a billion people live in India, and many ride motorcycles. Given economic conditions there, the company thinks people will want to up-grade to a Harley.
The company has officially opened a sales and marketing subsidiary, and is now looking to sign up dealers in India's major cities. Speaking from Delhi, CEO Matt Levatich says there are already 100-million motorcycles in that country, but most are like scooters. He says some members of the country's growing middle class are already shopping abroad for Harleys, and are willing to buy them despite tariffs.
India’s government has also increased investment in the country’s infrastructure and roads. Both factors make it more desirable to own a “more leisure-oriented, heavyweight motorcycle,” says Levatich.
The motorcycles and accessories will be made in the United States and exported to India. Harley Davidson has no immediate plans to build a factory in India.
Levatich says focus groups done earlier this year showed Indian riders are already well aware of the Harley brand, and are drawn to its ideas of freedom, independence, self-expression and the “love of adventure and the open road."
Levatich says within the year, Harley Davidson hopes to award ten dealership licenses. He says the company has already gotten unsolicited requests from 100 prospective vendors.
Information from Wisconsin Public Radio, www.wpr.org
http://www.fox21online.com/news/harley-davidson-wants-make-tracks-india
No comments:
Post a Comment