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Harley-Davidson eyes either Bajaj, Mahindra, or Hero to make some of its new bikes

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle brand is on the lookout for a new partnership.

Monzit Purugganan Monzit Purugganan on Sep 09, 2020
Harley-Davidson Street 750

Eyes are on Harley-Davidson’s as it plans to make its next big move. The Milwaukee-based motorcycle brand has been struggling to find a way to get younger people to swing their leg over one of their motorcycle offerings. Yet, for the past several months, Harley-Davidson has been in a hotbed of controversy with motorcycle publications following its next course of action. After its new President and CEO Jochen Zeitz took over where its predecessor Matt Levatich left off, changes in the company have been happening both swiftly and steadily. 

Harley-Davidson Bronx

Zeitz immediately implemented his new “Rewire” strategy and has set aside Levatich’s plans of introducing new models into its lineup, instead refocusing on what motorcycles they were always known for — good-old American cruisers. With this new strategy, the company has projected more than 700 job cuts from its global workforce and the dropping of a few models from its lineup. Speculations pointed to the Bronx and Street 750 lineup as getting axed from its catalog. 

Related:
Harley-Davidson dropping the Bronx from its lineup.

Despite this, Harley-Davidson never really lost sight of other high-potential markets which included India, and other parts of Asia. As it now shifts its Asia Pacific operations to Thailand, talks with other brands like Mahindra, Hero, Motocorp, and Bajaj are taking place for a new partnership. These talks started brewing after news of shutting down its Bawal manufacturing plant in India started churning out of the rumor mill. As it now stands, Harley-Davidson is looking to enter into a partnership similar to KTM’s relationship with Bajaj or BMW’s joint venture with TVS. With it, Harley-Davidson’s affiliation with a new partner would bring them to manufacture midsize motorcycles made primarily for the Indian market, one of the biggest motorcycle markets in the world. 

Related:
Will Harley-Davidson close shop in India?

Harley-Davidson reportedly had talks with industry heavyweight the Mahindra Group, the owners of Classic Legends, who are behind the Jawa revival and current owners of the BSA brand. Their partnership could match the American motorcycle brand’s retro aesthetic, and satisfy its need for a global supply chain. At the same time, they still seem to be moving forward with producing its China-exclusive model 338R. Thus, a similar tactic could benefit them insofar as the Indian market is concerned. 

As cruiser sales still continue to decline back in the United States, Harley-Davidson looks at ramping up its global presence to hedge its losses. Certainly, catering to the two most populous countries and largest motorcycle markets would be critical for the brand’s strategy and future. Perhaps the closing of its Bawal manufacturing plant could trigger the next chain of events. However, until then, we’ll have to be on the lookout for Harley-Davidson and Jochen Zeitz’s next move. 

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