HERO MOTOCORP COMES TO HARLEY'S RESCUE

Will distribute, service and also manufacture motorcycles for Harley-Davidson

In September, Harley-Davidson announced an overhaul in their India operations which made them shut manufacturing facility in Bawal. The motorcycle manufacturer also mentioned continuing to serve customers through the contract term, valid till the end of 2020. While this was being seen as the end of the H-D era in the country, Indian two-wheeler major Hero MotoCorp has come to the American motorcycle maker’s rescue. Both the companies have entered a distribution agreement wherein Hero MotoCorp will be selling and distributing Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the country. Additionally, Hero will also provide the necessary backing to Harley’s parts, accessories and merchandise business which includes riding gear and apparel, which forms an important part of Harley’s business in India. This will be done through exclusive Harley dealerships in the country as well through Hero’s network, which should be of tremendous advantage to Harley considering the widespread reach that Hero MotoCorp has in different pockets of the country. We believe through this tie-up, Harley-Davidson will also enter additional markets in smaller towns and cities, which have had prospective clients but the lack of sales and service support made them shy away from the American motorcycle brand.