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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Motorcycle makers join together to survive /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1502991247 Message started by Oldfeller on 08/17/17 at 10:34:07 |
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Title: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Oldfeller on 08/17/17 at 10:34:07 http://newatlas.com/indian-motorcycle-market-turmoil-triumph-bajaj/50859/ How Royal Enfield became the top-selling gasoline big bike in the world http://https://img.newatlas.com/indian-motorcycle-market-turmoil-triumph-bajaj-27.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ch=Width%2CDPR&fit=max&h=700&q=60&w=616&s=3a9da5375fd427c21e4052b8e4713088 INDIA TAKES OVER ALL OF MOTORCYCLING'S MAJOR OLDER NON-JAPANESE BRANDS Read the article, it shows that Royal Enfield has become the largest numerical gas fueled bike maker in the world by a sizable margin. Chinese bikes are dropping off dramatically due to restraints placed on them by the Chinese government and are actually rolling towards electric as we speak. Here follows the history of the new order as it has unfolded: There is a great shrinking and re-conglomeration of gasoline bike makers that is happening right now as we watch. Bajaj and Mahindra are the dual cores of this effect as they buy up older "bigger" brands and move all the production of the bikes to India. Bajaj and KTM The partnership between India's Bajaj and Austria's KTM is one of the great success stories of the motorcycle industry, having begun a decade ago in 2007 when Bajaj purchased a 14 percent stake in KTM. This enabled KTM to triple its annual production numbers from 65,000 in 2007 to 200,000 in 2017, and become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe along the way. Bajaj has now invested around $250 million in KTM and produces around 100,000 KTMs a year at its manufacturing facility in Chakan, near Pune. In turn, beyond KTM's core competency of building "race ready" performance motorcycles, it owns a number of highly relevant technology companies, such as renowned motorcycle suspension company WP, and aerospace manufacturer Pankl, which produces key components such as turbines and conrods for aircraft and high performance engines. The relationship provides access to an ecosystem of manufacturing competency. Bajaj's philosophy of developing long-term relationships to achieve growth has been very successful, and Bajaj is also the Kawasaki distributor in India. Last month (July 2017), Bajaj went very close to purchasing the Ducati brand name from Lamborghini (in turn, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group), but the deal failed at the eleventh hour for unknown reasons. Within weeks, it had found an alternative new partner of similar promise: Triumph. Bajaj and Triumph Esteemed British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph announced it would partner with India's Bajaj last week, with the aim of delivering a "range of outstanding mid–capacity motorcycles benefiting from the collective strengths of both companies." With similar existing sales numbers to KTM at the beginning of the Bajaj relationship, plus R&D resources capable of producing state-of-the-art motorcycles for enthusiasts, Triumph and Bajaj have the makings of an ideal and very rewarding partnership. Bajaj and Husqvarna Last month, Bajaj and KTM announced they would globally roll out a full range of Husqvarna motorcycles, another well-known European motorcycle brand name with an extraordinary heritage, having begun manufacturing motorcycles in 1903. KTM acquired a long-term license agreement for the use of the Husqvarna brand from BMW in 2013 and the announced plans call for Husqvarna motorcycles to be manufactured in the same Indian plant (Chakan) as KTM, and distributed in equal numbers to KTM in the medium term. The first planned Husqvarna models, the Vitpilen 401 (pictured above), Svartpilen 401 and the Vitpilen 701 will be produced by KTM in Austria, and launched in 2018. Later in the year, production of the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401, which share the KTM 390 Duke engine, will be transferred to Bajaj's Chakan factory. KTM production in India is expected to exceed 100,000 units this year, and with Husqvarna production to be ramped up from 2018, that number of motorcycles produced from the KTM relationship is expected to double to 200,000 over the next few years. Hence, in addition to the two million Bajaj motorcycles sold in 2016, the fourth largest Indian motorcycle manufacturer has leveraged its success developing two of its own brands (KTM and Husqvarna), and nurturing a non-equity partnership with Triumph. TVS and BMW Motorrad In 2013, the third-largest Indian motorcycle manufacturer, TVS, announced a strategic partnership with Germany's BMW Motorrad to design and build sub-500cc aspirational motorcycles under the BMW brand for both the Indian domestic and global markets. In 2016, TVS sold 2.48 million motorcycles in India, but had never produced a motorcycle larger than 250cc. The new BMW G 310 R was announced in 2015, and is currently rolling out into developed countries under the BMW brand (see our first test of the bike), with production taking place at the TVS Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu. Production is still ramping up, with 4,772 units produced in 2016-2017 financial year, and 2,000 units produced last month. Sales will begin in India next year once BMW has developed a more extensive dealership network, with more new models designed by BMW Motorrad and built by TVS to follow. Mahindra and Peugeot Mahindra & Mahindra is one of India's largest companies with annual revenues of US$13 billion. The company is India's largest producer of SUVs and utility vehicles and its subsidiaries include the world's largest tractor manufacturer. It has been working toward building a presence in the Indian motorcycle industry since 2008 with little success, though the last few years has seen an intensification of effort and expenditure that indicates that failure is not an option. The company created Mahindra Racing and began racing in the World Motorcycle Championships in 2011, at first in the 125cc class, then in the Moto3 (250cc) class. In 2016, the team was supplying several satellite teams plus an official Peugeot team with motorcycles and experienced its first success with two Grand Prix wins. Mahindra Two Wheelers, the eighth largest motorcycle manufacturer in India, acquired a controlling interest (51 percent) of Peugeot Motocycles in 2015. Peugeot claims to be the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, though it's debatable whether the claim is technically accurate. Peugeot showed the motorcycle above at the 1898 Paris Exhibition, but did not actually begin manufacturing motorcycles until 1901, the same year that England's Royal Enfield and America's Indian began production. Perhaps even more relevant to Mahindra's ambitions was the purchase in 2015 of the famous Italian design house Pininfarina for $185 million. Pininfarina's long-term relationship with Ferrari as its designer of choice over the last 70 years will enhance Mahindra's ability to create premium products. Mahindra and BSA In 2016, Mahindra & Mahindra acquired a controlling share in Classic Legends Private Limited (CLPL). Subsequently, in October 2016, Classic Legends acquired the rights and trademarks for the legendary British Motorcycle company BSA. Classic Legends paid just £3,399,600 (US$4,150,000) for the rights to resurrect one of the best known motorcycle brands in history, a company that was once the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Detailed plans for the marque are still unclear, but design of a range of 500cc to 750cc motorcycles is known to be underway in Italy and manufacturing facilities are being built in both France and India with a view to a brand launch in 2019. Mahindra has also confirmed that it has acquired the rights to the "Gold Star" brand, which was synonymous with BSA for many decades. Mahindra and Jawa In the same 2016 time-frame as it acquired the rights to BSA, Mahindra subsidiary Classic Legends also acquired the Czech motorcycle manufacturer Jawa and, in a separate deal, the rights to the name Yezdi. Jawa motorcycles were sold in over 120 countries during the 1960s and 1970s, with the distinctive two-strokes enjoying a reputation for reliability that borders on legendary. If you've never heard of a Yezdi, you're probably not alone if you live outside India. Jawa motorcycles were initially distributed in india by Ideal Jawa, but eventually were rebranded as Yezdi and the acquisition of both Jawa and Yezdi names indicates greater plans are afoot. Mahindra has already confirmed that a global dealership network is planned for both Jawa and BSA. The recent inauguration of a Yezdi web site aimed at the Indian market suggests the beloved Yezdi name will be used in India. |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Papa Bear on 08/17/17 at 14:29:28 Maybe I'll be able to get another new 650 BSA "LIghtning Rocket" 8-) |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by jcstokes on 08/18/17 at 01:22:39 A useful and interesting post. I've passed it on to several people who know much more about motorcycling, than I. |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by JLC on 08/18/17 at 07:47:41 Great article, thanks for sharing. I am especially interested in the rebirth of BSA! |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by MMRanch on 08/18/17 at 08:58:53 Wow , All I wanted was a 15" mag wheel for my Savage , well , maybe a 19" to match ... ;) Nice article |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Ruttly on 08/20/17 at 21:06:46 Yeah , a new BSA GOLDSTAR 500 with a ( yup I'm going to say it ! ) ELECTRIC START , yes a Happy Button ! Sign me up , I have to own one ! Its going to be a long two years. |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by LANCER on 08/21/17 at 06:13:35 496E6F6F77621B0 wrote:
Wonder what kind of Goldstar this will be ? Will it be a "Performer" like the old ones were or just a 500 with the name plate ? ? And which Goldstar model will this be ? Will it look like the road going Catalina; or a scrambler; or a Road racer; or a :D ;D FLAT TRACKER !!!!! ;D :D |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Ruttly on 08/23/17 at 22:06:59 I'm really not caring about its form , but a Flat Tracker would be cool ! I just hope the engine has the same basic form as the old G/S and not some motor that looks like a Chinese copy of a Honda engine. It's very rare when I see a new bike I want , plenty overseas bikes I like, but here in the states only a couple,mostly supermotos. Makes my heart pound just thinking about it , I can already see myself riding a G/S just Thumpin down the road not in a hurry to get anywhere. In my head , not in a hurry to get anywhere , means it's goin be a long ride and a total adventure 8-) |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Gary_in_NJ on 08/24/17 at 06:17:12 It's interesting and welcome information. I'm glad that Indian companies are looking to produce and export affordable motorcycles. Partnering with known brands is a great way to get product to consumers until the reputation is established. We have all read the same stories - younger people aren't riding and older riders aren't buying. Let's face it, the best pro-motorcycle campaign was 50-60 years ago when Honda pushed "you meet the nicest people on a Honda". Since then it's been some strange anti-social Harley costume party. It's time for motorcycling to be marketed as what it is - fun. Fun transportation. Fun social networking. Fun skills acquisition. Just fun. Motorcycles have gotten too big (cc's and hp), too heavy and too complicated, and as a result - too expensive. A smaller displacement bike is more accessible. And when you can see the components on a motorcycle, they are a crap load easier to maintain. Bring on the Indian made bikes. Just look at the KTM 390's. If that's the future - there's hope. |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by ohiomoto on 08/24/17 at 07:50:21 I'm 100% on board with Gary on this one. The best bikes for STREET use (besides touring) are sub 700cc standards, duel sports and cruisers. Everything else is mostly too big, fast, complicated and outright dangerous machines built for fantasy land egos. |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Ruttly on 08/24/17 at 15:15:08 I'm also on board,however I have grown fond of my sportster,I wanted one since I was sixteen. But for a ear to ear $hit eatin grin just cut me loose on any big single,primitive,simple and the basis of all motorcycles,a big single just thumping down the road,just fast enough for thrills and slow enough to enjoy the scenery. Its always funner riding a slow bike fast. Thumpers thrill me to the bone it just doesn't get any better! |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by LANCER on 08/24/17 at 16:34:14 Gary, Ohio & Ruttly ... yep, yep & yep. |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by zipidachimp on 08/24/17 at 23:40:17 I did a long ride on a BSA Thunderbolt 45 years ago (partly in the rain) and always wondered why anyone would want anything over 650/750 ccs. I blame Kawi with the Z-1 !!!! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by LANCER on 08/25/17 at 03:58:22 2E3D243D3035373C3D3924540 wrote:
Back then 650-750 twins were light weight, maneuverable, capable of 120 mph, and the price was reasonable. What more do you need ? |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by ohiomoto on 08/25/17 at 05:42:43 2A27282523347471460 wrote:
125? Ha, ha... I think I got my 72 T500 2-smoke up to 100+... Actually, I'm fine with 80 mph for my riding. I mostly ride under 55 and hardy ever go over 65-70. I guess 90 mph would be ideal, a little extra in reserve would be nice to have. :) |
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Title: Re: Motorcycle makers join together to survive Post by Gary_in_NJ on 08/25/17 at 07:30:20 My FZ6, with its 13,000 red line and 10,000 rpm torque peak, is just waking up at 80 mph. It's great on the back roads but just demands to be opened up on the highway...so I (try) keep it off the highway. But if my travels call for highway duty the FZ is the most suited bike I have - it's just smooth as glass and comfortable all day long. The Cafe and the Tracker both like 50-60 - but at different rpms. At 60 the Cafe is at 4,000 and the Tracker is at 6,000. The Cafe just vibrates too much above 70 mph for my comfort. The Tracker just vibrates. It's happy to go 80-90 mph, but I'm not. |
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