Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) has high plans for the Indian market in terms of investment in an assembly plant for its bikes. The cruiser bike maker plans to create a product development center for design and development of the bikes in the Indian market.

Rod Copes, Senior Vice-President, International Sales, Marketing and Business Development, HDMC -
Going forward, we’re going to be looking at product development at more international bases. What’s the product that customers in different countries want? This will be in the third phase of our growth strategy in India—the first two being the launch with CBUs (completely built units) and the assembling of CKDs (completely knocked down kits).

But, before Harley goes into setting up its assembly line here in India, they want to make sure that the sales of these bikes is substantial in the continent. The company has done its analysis and estimates to reach financially viable sales volume figure for an assembly plant over the next two years.

Currently, Harley-Davidson imports its bikes in India in form of completely built units (CBUs) paying nearly 80% import duties for these bikes. If this new assembly line does start, the price can easily drop by 30%.

The company is on a lookout for more dealers across the country to increase its dealership from 3 to 12 in coming months. It also plans in starting a rental service of its bikes in the end of next year.

Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India -
We are looking at cities and states with strong biking cultures for setting up dealers.

The company has a line up of 12 cruisers in India that start from Rs 6.95 lakh and going all the way to Rs 34.95 lakhs. The company has also arranged for financial aid from ICICI to ease the financial service for interested customers. But, if you really wanna own one, save up and wait until it starts assembling the bikes here in India.