Harley-Davidson: Not Coming After All?
It appears that despite the respite (heh heh) in emission norms, Harley-Davidson are not coming to India yet. Associated Press, Mint and Brain Bucket have versions of the same story quoting HD Veep Tim Hoelter saying that the duties would put the Harleys beyond the Indian customers reach and while they would keep their eye on India, this was probably not the right time to enter the Indian market. On the other hand, Rediff is hosting an Business Standard story that the high duties have failed entirely to deter the Japanese brands from forging ahead with their CBU plans.
I think that would make a lot of sense. The current grey market sales in Indian of bigger capacity motorcycles centers entirely on sportbikes, inline fours and primarily Hondas. Neither of the three are categories that Harleys would fit into, right?
Links:
Brain Bucket | International Herald Tribune/AP | Rediff Money
2 comments:
I think that would make a lot of sense. The current grey market sales in Indian of bigger capacity motorcycles centers entirely on sportbikes, inline fours and primarily Hondas. Neither of the three are categories that Harleys would fit into, right?
Disagree. The grey market imports cater to those guys who take the trouble of getting these things in (or paying those who do it). They know bout the product in the first place.
But if you can walk into a showroom and book a Harley after lookin at it. I guess there will be a sizeable customer base who will be willing to do so. Numbers may atleast be a percentage of the number of Porsche Cayennes sold!
I am so pi**ed off !!! They proposed to permit Harley a concession to avoid the "Homologation" regulations of India (AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA) (maybe they should have a peek at most of the vehicles plying on highways and in small towns of India and check them for emissions ) BUT they add, as a rider to this great concession a 113 % Duty !!! The words that spring to mind to describe these beurocrats are too offensive to post in print ! There is not ONE Indian manufacturer that has reached or breached 250 cc in a decent configuration - Please dont talk about Enfield which is some 1953 model with small changes here and there that makes it burp and fart up to 350 and then cough and wheeze up to 500 cc. Lets talk REAL motorcycles. NO ONE here. Yet they wont let decent bikes above 500 cc to be imported at a 15 - 20 % duty (which would make them relatively affordable) . A bike that would otherwise cost 7 lakh like the Harley was going to cost would then be (with 22% duty) a respectable 3.5 lakh or so.
Its sad, and pathetic how they protect the people who keep churning out old wine in new bottles.
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