US-based iconic cult bike maker Harley-Davidson said on Monday that it will start assembling three more models in India that will result in slashing of prices by up to Rs 4.55 lakh, close on the heels of the government increasing the customs duty on imported superbikes in the Budget.
The company's Indian arm, Harley Davidson India, will now assemble models Fat Boy, Fat Boy Special and Heritage Softail Classic at its Bawal facility in Haryana.
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy will now be available at Rs 14.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against the previous imported price of Rs 19.45 lakh. Similarly, Fat Boy Special will cost Rs 15.6 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against the previous imported price of 19.70 lakh. The Heritage Softail Classic model will be tagged at Rs 16.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against Rs 20.45 lakh earlier.
Commenting on the development, Harley-Davidson India Managing Director Anoop Prakash said, 'Since we entered India in 2009, we have been consistent with our plans have more local assembly of our products and make them accessible to more enthusiasts and customers across the country. The completely knocked down (CKD) operations of the three models is another step towards it.'
The company now has nine out of 12 models that it sells in India locally assembled.
Asked if the company plans to assemble all the models that it sells in India, he replied, “It is not possible for a long time to come. Our flagship 'Touring Family' has its own heritage, we want to maintain it and moreover the market for it hasn't developed yet here in India."
Commenting on the Budget announcement, Prakash said, 'Our completely knocked down operation allows us to contribute to local investment while also reducing the tariff burden for customers across India.'
The impact on pricing will be minimal due to the company's steady focus on developing completely knocked down operations in India since early 2011, he added.
In the Union Budget for financial year 2013-14, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has proposed to hike import duty on bikes with engine capacity of 800 cc or more from to 75 per cent from 60 per cent.
On the sales growth, Prakash said that the company is expecting 'a double digit' increase in 2013. Since 2010, when it started selling its bikes in India, the company has sold over 2,000 motorcycles.
The company's Indian arm, Harley Davidson India, will now assemble models Fat Boy, Fat Boy Special and Heritage Softail Classic at its Bawal facility in Haryana.
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy will now be available at Rs 14.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against the previous imported price of Rs 19.45 lakh. Similarly, Fat Boy Special will cost Rs 15.6 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against the previous imported price of 19.70 lakh. The Heritage Softail Classic model will be tagged at Rs 16.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against Rs 20.45 lakh earlier.
Commenting on the development, Harley-Davidson India Managing Director Anoop Prakash said, 'Since we entered India in 2009, we have been consistent with our plans have more local assembly of our products and make them accessible to more enthusiasts and customers across the country. The completely knocked down (CKD) operations of the three models is another step towards it.'
The company now has nine out of 12 models that it sells in India locally assembled.
Asked if the company plans to assemble all the models that it sells in India, he replied, “It is not possible for a long time to come. Our flagship 'Touring Family' has its own heritage, we want to maintain it and moreover the market for it hasn't developed yet here in India."
Commenting on the Budget announcement, Prakash said, 'Our completely knocked down operation allows us to contribute to local investment while also reducing the tariff burden for customers across India.'
The impact on pricing will be minimal due to the company's steady focus on developing completely knocked down operations in India since early 2011, he added.
In the Union Budget for financial year 2013-14, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has proposed to hike import duty on bikes with engine capacity of 800 cc or more from to 75 per cent from 60 per cent.
On the sales growth, Prakash said that the company is expecting 'a double digit' increase in 2013. Since 2010, when it started selling its bikes in India, the company has sold over 2,000 motorcycles.