Triumph did not say when it would begin selling in India nor whether the bikes would be imported or assembled in India.
It does strike me that some of the other manufacturers now setting up shop in India, might want to thank Harley Davidson for making the decision because of Harley’s efforts to negotiate lower tariffs on imports on larger displacement motorcycles. Since the Motor Company made the move, there has been a steady stream of announcements from other manufacturers headed that direction. Tariffs certainly still exist, but they’re moving downward. It benefits everyone in India who would like to buy these other motorcycles, but it also benefits those who are now able to sell into that market.
Link: Times of India
Kenny says
Interesting.
When they say they’ll be entering the Indian market do they mean to just bring their existing line-up or will they be introducing (or re-introducing) some new models to take a slice of the small bore market?
Paulinator says
I recently read an article about Indian investment money looking for other markets that were free from the corruption and volatility found at home. Setting up shop for a newbe importer must be a challange once the fresh sweet smell of cash injections start to permeate the air.
Will Silk says
With the twin cylinder line being produced in Thailand, I imagine that the logistics aren’t as much of a problem in moving those bikes into the Indian market. The triples, to my knowledge, are all thankfully still produced in the UK. Shipping for those units may be a concern, especially due to cost.
I can’t see Triumph up and closing the lines in Hinckley, UK or in Thailand for that matter to swing production to India. They’ve only been building complete bikes in Thailand since 2006/2007, and the investment into that facility would have had to been substantial and meant for the long term.
I think the big question is how long will this market in Central Asia last. I’ve heard concerns from more than a few financial people that the Central Asian economic boom may be short lived, sort of like a shooting star effect so to speak. Sure, it’s a great place to cash in now, but the outlook in 5 years may very well be substantially different than that of today.
If Triumph goes in just to sell, that’s great, and very wise on their part. I’m not sure HD and Victory, who have rushed to set up production facilities, were quite as wise. Again, the entire region is quite volatile, in more than just an economic sense.
B50 Jim says
Maybe Triumph India could build a line of TRs from the 60s, only update them with electronic ignition, fuel injection (make the injectors look like Amal concentrics) and non-leak engines. Seriously, a line of nice, classic-styled 650s might stimulate interest in the Indian market and the home/export markets. Hey, it works for Royal Enfield. Just dreaming here….
However, Will Silk makes a good point. The Asian and Central Asian economies have all the hallmarks of bubbles, and it they burst, the world’s economy will shake to its foundations. Any company that sets up shop in India, China and other Asian nations might find itself making a fast exit, but not after taking a severe drubbing.
Tin Man says
The costs of setting up an assemble plant are very low, HD for example is not manufacturing bikes in India only bolting pieces together, much like the Japanese Auto companys did in the USA in the 80s. The cost is in manufacturing not assembling
BobG says
+1. As usual Tin Man, some people just read the headlines.
Paulinator says
-1. The thought of a “for profit” company avoiding the use of locally abundant and politically leveraged cheap labor resources in its production-stream, where ever feasible, is rediculous. Use your brain.
BobG says
It all has to due with tariffs. Use your brain.
Harley Bob says
These Companies are going to build and sale in India,not ship to the U.S.
Mark says
You’ve got to hand it to India, they have managed to leverage their enormous and growing middle class to their advantage, by making it financially impossible to import products into India, if they are not manufactured, or at least assembled in India.
India has as many of it’s citizens in college right now than the entire population of the US. This will spur enormous economic growth for India going forward, and the government is making sure that they are providing the jobs their citizens need.
Imagine how many jobs we could create using the same policiy, I would love to have the option of working for Ducati, Triumph, or any number of Japanese manufacturers setting up factories here in the US.
Earl says
I read a piece recently about a gang of young uber-wealthy Indians who get a stretch of highway closed off between 1am and 3am once a month so they can do the fang in their Lamborghinis.
15 years since I was last in India, but with a huge population, a strong sense of national self and a rickety road system, I don’t see a lot of the modern triples being sold. The retro-styled twins, tho, can take up the Enfield market as a cooler option. If it works, Triumph won’t be able to ship Speedmasters and Americas there quick enough.
Dawg says
There are rumours of a new Triumph single in the near future. 350cc is the size being suggested. This would be in direct competition with the Enfields and smaller japanese bikes. The market in India and Asia for bikes is enormous and this would be a no-brainer for Triumph.
WRXr says
There is no suprise here.
Honda-Hero, and the other Japanese big four have been in India in various partnerships for years. The fact that Harley followed suit and now Triumph only shows that they recognize a good thing when they see it….finally.
B50 Jim says
A Triumph single is a step in the right direction. 350 cc would be great for the Indian market, where it certainly would give R-E a run for its money — a new 350 would run rings around R-E’s updated-but-still-ancient 500, even running on the petro-swill sold in the Indian countryside. How about making a 500 and importing them to the U.S. market? A 350 would be a bit small because American riders like their superhighways, but with a good, modern Triumph thumper, American riders might rediscover the joys of a light, crisp-handling, smooth-running, torquey, economical Single for everyday riding. We can dream.
Will Silk says
Right On B50 Jim! When I worked at the local Triumph dealer, we frequently would beg for a starter bike to bring people into the brand early and not have to push to convert riders to the Triumph marque. Interestingly enough at the time (spring ’06-late’08), Triumph always came back with the statement that it was a market they weren’t truly interested in entering. I tend to think it was largely because of the profit margin that exists on lower end, entry level bikes. Basically, there isn’t much profit.
Still, I always fancied a modern day Triumph Cub with a DOHC Single, disc brakes all around, mild rearsets, and Clubman Bars straight from the factory. Wouldn’t that be sweet!
Dawg says
A baby Street Single and dual sport Tiger Cub using the same engine. I think 350 would be ok especially for the Asian market. There are already loads of great supermotos already out there, do Americans go for these like they do in europe?
Will Silk says
Judging by how hard it can be to pick up a Suzuki TU250X in my area, I think Americans are taking to the small bore bikes more and more. Sure, the recent price of fuel has had much to do with that, but I’ve talked to so many people who seem to be looking for a modern day version of an AJS 7R or a Manx Norton.
People I’ve spoken to in the North East US seem to want a return to the more simple look of a motorcycle, coupled with light weight, good power, and great agility.
Will these folks part with the bikes currently in their stable, maybe not; but if Triumph can come up with a retro-esque Tiger Cub powered by a 350-500cc DOHC single and price it at less than $5,000USD, I seriously don’t think they will be able to make enough of them for the North American market.
Dawg says
You can’t get much simpler than a Husky or KTM supermoto unless you by an old air cooled bike. BMW also produced the X Country and X moto but nobody went for them. Singles are killers on a twisty road but can be a bit restrictive on long rides and freeways. Can people handle living with a a bike so focussed?
If you want retro, buy an Enfield and put a long alloy tank on it. It will probably even leak oil in the right places!
There is a big market for small machines in Asia but I imagine they would prefer a modern looking bike to compete with Japanese machines. Outside Asia is there really a market for small bikes? I don’t see much of a market for small singles in England and our petrol is a lot more expensive than the USA!
Will Silk says
Yeah, I know from friends over that way just how bad you guys get hit with petrol pricing in the UK. You certainly have a rough go when comes time to fill up, that’s for sure.
I see your reasoning behind the small bike sales outside of Asia not being a big market for the manufacturers to look at. But I truly think that things are shifting so to speak in the North American market. I notice a lot more singles on the road in the North East, and a fair amount of scooter traffic has begun to emerge as well. It’s not just the fuel prices driving the train, as the economy over all is pretty much on the rocks, and I know quite a few people that were once a two car family now doing business as one car and a bike.
You mentioned KTM and Husky, both excellent products, but a 690 Duke here in the US retails for over $10K, and I think the reason that so many people shy away from it is that they can buy a multi-cylinder bike for that much quid, and the maintenance on the KTM is intensive and expensive. With a Jap bike, you change the oil and that’s about it outside of the usual expenses in running the machine.
The other thing that is huge in America is retro, which is probably a contributor to RE having a waiting list to get one. When Triumph came back to the States in 1995, everyone clamoured for a Bonneville, and in 2001 they got it. Now the Bonnie line is expanded and huge in terms of popularity. This is something that KTM and Husky don’t offer, and combined with their price points, is probably why they have units languishing on dealership showroom floors. It’s not that they are not excellent products, nothing could be further from the truth, it’s simply that they don’t offer the look that many Americans seem to be desiring currently.
So yes, I think that there is a strong market for modern small bore bikes in North America provided they have a sort of retro style appeal.
Phoebe says
It’s nice to see Triumph continue to grow and flourish.
B50 Jim says
Phoebe — what you said. It’s almost as if they never closed Meridan.
Hooligan says
I have no nostalgia about the Meridian factory. I had a Trident 150 in the 1970’s. It was the worst built bike I ever owned. I swore I would never ever buy a Triumph again. I was almost happy when it got stolen by some Hells Angels. I can assure you I did not go round and knock on their door and say “Can I have my bike back please mister?”
The modern Triumphs are as good as anything in the bike market. And certainly better than some.
But then they are assembled from parts sourced from all over the world.
My Street Triple R has a frame and petrol tank made in Thailand, the cans are Italian and the brakes and suspension are Japanese.
BobG says
Manufacturing in India would avoid import tariifs (over 100%) and could avoid ‘assembling’ tariffs ( around 60%), but from what I’ve read, reducing the assembly tariff from 60% has not yet been decided by India’s gov’t. Setting up a complete new manufacturing operation is indeed expensive compared to an assembly operation, right now anyway.
Paulinator says
I remember a story of the WW1 British supply ship that delivered burlap sand bags to North Africa. It’s hold was laden with burlap sand bags….40 pounds each. The same snafu logic applies to labor intensive, high-value exports to India. Paint and metal polish would certainly be the first processes transfered.
Bob Nedoma says
Sahara sand, while there is lots of it, was too fine to stay in the burlap bag.
It can not be used to make concrete either.
tim says
really? you do learn something new every day!
B50 Jim says
Hooligan—
I agree that some execrable machines crawled out the doors at Meridan toward the end. It was a sad chapter in the life of the once-proud and dominant English motorcycle industry. I was merely “what-iffing” and filing in the blank years until the new blokes started doing it properly. Today’s Triumph has nothing to hide, and builds some world-class machines.Sourcing parts from all over the world is merely part of manufacturing today. If I could afford a new bike and had the heart to depart from my beloved old BSA, I would certainly buy a Triumph.
Hooligan says
I think this Street Triple R is the nearest thing to a modern Bonne I’ve seen.
B50 Jim says
Is there a market for small-bore street motorcycles? I wonder — I spoke to a woman riding a Honda Rebel 450; she liked it but was ready for something bigger such as a Sportster. The Rebel was her first bike and she used it as a stepping-stone to a bigger machine. Looking at the high-profit offerings from the manufacturers today, and there are few smaller beginner-style bikes on display. A prospective buyer might walk into the showroom, get intimidated by all the massive iron and leave. Remember the 1960s? The streets rumbled with troublesome big-bore English bikes and Harleys, with very few smaller machines available. There were 250s, but they were somewhat smaller versions of their larger brethren and just as problematic. Along came Honda with small, friendly, reliable and clean step-throughs that consumers found irresistible. When riders were ready for “real” motorcycles, there was Honda with a stable of 90s, 150s and 180s, then 305s and 350s. When the customers wanted big bikes, the CB750 filled the bill, and Honda made tons of cash. I wonder if a similar strategy would work for Triumph now?
Dawg says
In reply to Will Silk
There’s a waiting list for Enfields?!!!!! Holy crap you guys really have got a retro hangover over there!
I just checked out the Suzuki TU250X… a bike I had never heard of as it is not sold in the UK. They do seem to be popular there so perhaps Triumph might do well with a small machine in the States. The motor seems similar to the one in a DR350 I rode once… it was very weedy!
Despite the awful petrol prices Brits tend to ‘grin and bear it’ and continue to buy fast, modern machinery. The Street Triple and new Tiger 800 are doing very well and outselling the Japs because of their low price here and the fact they are perfect for our, rough, tight and dirty roads.
Hooligan says
“outselling the Japs because of their low price here”
One advantage of being a manufacturer here out of the Euro Zone!
Triumphs are very competitively priced. The standard Street Triple costs less than Honda’s current 600 Hornet recommended price.
And those Tiger 800’s are going to be popular! A rorty torty engine that!
Hooligan says
B50 Jim,
Is there a market for smaller bikes, middle power bikes? yes of course there is. Whether Triumph would be interested in developing such a engine is another matter. They are doing very well with their 3 cylinder philosophy.
But ideas about power and cc’s have changed and technology moved on.
A Honda 600 Hornet will run rings around a CB750 because it’s 30 years on.
So maybe for your Rebel 450 rider should look at something like the Hornet – or rather the 599 as it’s called in US rather than a Sportster which it will equally run rings round.
Dunno what it is like the States but generally the dealers here have a range and variety of the bikes that people will need. Unless it is a one make specialist like Ducati, (or Triumph) Here a 125 is the starter bike, 2-350cc have virtually vanished as “step” up bikes. Though there are a few exceptions,
Mehul Kamdar says
While India is largely poor, the country’s middle class is 300 million strong and its wealthy are as wealthy if not wealthier than those anywhere else on earth – thee sheer numbers of these people is equal to the ppulation of several small countries in Europe or the Middle East, and, with 1.1 billion people overall, India has as many people as all of Europe. By any standard that is a market that is big enough to support several premium manufacturers and Triumph have seen the possibilities in the Indian market – John Bloor didn’t become a multi millionaire because he was an idiot.
An old British settlement in South India, the city of Chennai (originally known as Madras and where Royal Enfield and Standard Motors used to be located) has now become the 7th largest center in the world for automobile component manufacture. Companies like Lucas, Penta Daewha, Hyundai, Toyota and others all have car and component assembly and manufacturing plants in and around Chennai.
With this combination of manufacturing infrastructure and a local market which has some interest in nostalgic brand names, Triumph are smart to enter India. There will be naysayers and skeptics. I remember one of those, many years ago, who said that Renault’s investment in Nissan was such a terrible idea that they might as well have dropped the money into the Pacific ocean. I wonder if the gentleman who said that would please raise his hand now? 🙂