Harley-Davidson’s journey in India has been a rollercoaster. The iconic American motorcycle manufacturer initially established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Gurgaon, commencing operations in 2009. They began by importing completely built units (CBUs) and later set up an assembly plant in Bawal, Haryana, in 2011. This allowed them to reduce import tariffs and offer a wider range of models, including locally assembled Sportster, Dyna, and Softail lines, and even locally produced Street 750 and 500 models for domestic sales and export.

However, citing weak demand and sales, Harley-Davidson decided to discontinue its manufacturing and sales operations in India in September 2020 as part of a global restructuring strategy. This involved closing their Bawal plant and significantly reducing their sales office in Gurgaon.

Despite ceasing independent operations, Harley-Davidson has maintained a presence in India through a strategic alliance with Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer. This partnership, formalized in late 2020, involves Hero MotoCorp handling the sales and service of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as selling parts, accessories, and merchandise through a network of exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and some of Hero’s existing dealerships.

More recently, the collaboration has expanded to include the co-development of new motorcycles. The first product of this joint venture is the Harley-Davidson X440, manufactured by Hero MotoCorp at their Neemrana facility in Rajasthan. This model aims to compete in the mid-size motorcycle segment in India. Additionally, the two companies are expected to introduce more Harley-Davidson models in the future, potentially including models manufactured in India for both domestic sales and export. This new chapter signifies Harley-Davidson’s continued commitment to the Indian market through a collaborative approach.