[Hard Torque]: Interview: Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

ken cool · 09-01-2009, 04:08 AM

Interview: Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India

Interviewed by Krishnendu Kes, Photos: Aryan

I walked into the warmly lit conference room of the Taj Palace Hotel where I was introduced to Mr. Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, India. As we shook hands and exchanged cards, I noticed a discreet pin on the lapel of his power suit which clearly said Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. We were seated and I was quickly made to feel comfortable. The Harley Davidson team that was present in the room had already been briefed about the meeting with representatives of xBhp. However I made a short introduction of what xBhp is and what xBhp has advocated in the past 6 years, I delved into a conversation with Mr. Anoop Prakash about the arrival of the iconic Motorcycles from Milwaukee into India. What followed were exciting and breathtaking moments of understanding Harley-Davidson’s movement into India and Mr. Anoop Prahash’s vision in particular of the coming years.

One of my first questions to Mr. Anoop Prakash was about the strategy of Harley-Davidson in India. The company started thinking about entering the Indian market since 2007. They started studying the market, conducting surveys, noting the development and growth of the Indian economy and decided that it was time to make a move. With the economic growth that India has traced in the past decade and India being the largest market for motorcycles in the world, albeit small ones that they are well aware of, they feel and believe that Harley-Davidson can bring about a sea change in the biking culture in this country. How are they thinking of going about bringing that change.

Other manufacturers have got one or two motorcycles to this country. Which I personally feel is just a brand building exercise. Harley-Davidson is not looking at entering the Indian market thus. Mr. Anoop Prakash said, “We have set up a wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson in Gurgaon. India is the first country where Harley-Davidson has set up a wholly owned subsidiary without selling a single motorcycle!” There was a long moment’s poignant silence after he delivered that amazing sentence.

They are thinking of bringing several motorcycles from their entire range, a few from each family. Along with the motorcycles they are also planning to introduce accessories, their range of apparel, riding gear, the whole HOG. At that Mr. Anoop Prakash said, “You are saying the whole HOG, I am not saying it” and he laughed as he said that! “Our aim is to build the brand in the right way.” They are not planning to just showcase two motorcycles. They are giving us an entire gamut to choose from.

How many motorcycles are you planning to bring in, I asked him. He replied, we have forty three motorcycles sold worldwide in 70 countries. We do not plan to bring all forty three of those.

We plan to launch twelve to fifteen motorcycles from the entire family of Sportsters, Dynas, Softails and CVOs. Not long ago, we conducted a survey in the major cities of New Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore with 500 enthusiastic participants on the pricing of a motorcycle, the styling, the sound, the emotional look and feel that a bike gives to a biker and based on that study we have decided to launch these models.

I was pretty much certain that such a man would be aware of the duty structure of imported vehicles in India. To that Mr. Anoop Prakash continued with his effortless ease of handling my questions, “Yes, we are aware of the duty structure that exists in this country. And we are bringing in CBUs only initially. We have no plans of indigenous parts or components manufactured or assembled in India. Which of course means that the pricing will be on the higher side. But as I said, there will be a whole range to choose from. There will be motorcycles ranging from 700, 000 INR to 2, 000, 000 INR. I am sure someone like you who rides an R1, if you have known what the Harley-Davidson experience is all about, you would want to and would have the choice of being able to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the future.” I smiled at his conviction. What he was saying was not far from the truth at all.

Are the roads in India ready to receive motorcycles like the Harley-Davidson? Mr. Anoop Prakash points at the Great India Roadtrip book that I had gifted him and says, “You tell me. You have done a 20,000 kilometres roadtrip around India. You tell me if the roads are there.” A short pause later he adds, “I think the roads are there. There are quite a few highways. There some bad roads and rough terrain. But there is NO BETTER motorcycle than a Harley-Davidson to tackle bad roads. These bikes are robust and tough.”

Harley is launching in the first half of 2010. They are in the process of setting up dealerships. As of now they have not finalised dealers. They are also in discussions for providing finance options to customers. All of which will be available at the dealerships. “Being Harley-Davidson dealer is not an easy task. It is part of the Harley-Davidson experience. And a dealer should be able to convey that to the customer. The customer should feel the Harley-Davidson experience from the moment he enters a dealership. We even send dealers to Milwaukee to train them and inculcate the Harley-Davidson experience in them which they in turn will be able to pass to their customers. We want to bring the Pure Harley-Davidson experience to India!”

Do you have a target? “No. I do not have a target. I have a dream, a vision. I want to see a strong dealer network coming up in two years. I want to see HOG chapters developing in the major regions of the country. Harley-Davidson would like to organize strong get-togethers. This is my vision!” A warm smile broke across his determined countenance. I realized that Harley-Davidson meant business and was here for good.

As I stood up to shake hands and leave the room engulfed in dreams of riding a Roadking through the deserts of Rajasthan or along the coastlines of the Konkan, Mr. Anoop Prakash came up to me and gifted me a Waterman Harley-Davidson pen as a souvenir! As I left the warmth of the room, I just realized that I was part of a Harley-Davidson experience for the first time in India!

Note: Mr. Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India, amongst other extremely distinguished achievements in his life is an MBA from Harvard Business School and has also served in the US Marine Corps! His career profile can be seen here.

Text: Krishnendu KES aka KEN.

Speed Pujari · 09-01-2009, 04:24 PM

I heartly welcome HD to India. Need to work out and build up my body. Count me in as a potential buyer in within 4 years time

..

Sarvajit · 09-01-2009, 04:29 PM

Excellent piece of news&even more brilliantly penned down by OF Sir&Ken Dada!
I will also look forward to owning a Harley someday!

ken cool · 09-01-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed Pujari

I heartly welcome HD to India. Need to work out and build up my body. Count me in as a potential buyer in within 4 years time

..

If I can ride a Harley-Davidson weighing in at 59 kilos, French friend of mine can ride a HD measuring 150cms and weighing in at 42 kilos, I don't see why you have to go body building!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarvajit

Excellent piece of news&even more brilliantly penned down by OF Sir&Ken Dada!
I will also look forward to owning a Harley someday!

Thanks Sarvajit for the compliments. I really enjoyed interacting with Mr. Anoop Prakash. He was warm, forthcoming, full of enthusiasm and gave me a true Harley experience even in that room.

Raoul Black · 09-02-2009, 05:53 PM

great work Ken, very well written, thoroughly enjoyed reading the piece, kudos to you, keep it up

, would really love to go a HD showroom and have the HD experience

shrinathrao · 09-02-2009, 07:09 PM

people like u really builds bridges over hopes by bringing such powerful personalities together who really want to do something good for the 2 wheeler riders in india.

excellent work ken da

Speed Pujari · 09-02-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken cool

If I can ride a Harley-Davidson weighing in at 59 kilos, French friend of mine can ride a HD measuring 150cms and weighing in at 42 kilos, I don't see why you have to go body building!

.

Coz I have made a fun of myself sitting over a tourer in a HD showroom in chicago. My bad luck that I could not find any dyna or speedster model there to poise on

..

JOSH5898 · 09-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Fabulous piece of work ken. If not for you & XBHP many of us would not have known about the HD's plans in India and the initial first ride experience. All we could have gathered from news and tv would have been tit bits with no proper sense.. Thanks a lot to the whole team.

Welcome To INDIA MR HARLEY.

whizzkid_ram · 09-02-2009, 11:53 PM

Hot bread news with the super strong chaaya

...

moeed · 09-04-2009, 03:16 AM

Thanks for the interview!

09-01-2009, 04:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
ken cool Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,677	Interview: Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India Interview: Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India Interviewed by Krishnendu Kes, Photos: Aryan I walked into the warmly lit conference room of the Taj Palace Hotel where I was introduced to Mr. Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, India. As we shook hands and exchanged cards, I noticed a discreet pin on the lapel of his power suit which clearly said Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. We were seated and I was quickly made to feel comfortable. The Harley Davidson team that was present in the room had already been briefed about the meeting with representatives of xBhp. However I made a short introduction of what xBhp is and what xBhp has advocated in the past 6 years, I delved into a conversation with Mr. Anoop Prakash about the arrival of the iconic Motorcycles from Milwaukee into India. What followed were exciting and breathtaking moments of understanding Harley-Davidson’s movement into India and Mr. Anoop Prahash’s vision in particular of the coming years. One of my first questions to Mr. Anoop Prakash was about the strategy of Harley-Davidson in India. The company started thinking about entering the Indian market since 2007. They started studying the market, conducting surveys, noting the development and growth of the Indian economy and decided that it was time to make a move. With the economic growth that India has traced in the past decade and India being the largest market for motorcycles in the world, albeit small ones that they are well aware of, they feel and believe that Harley-Davidson can bring about a sea change in the biking culture in this country. How are they thinking of going about bringing that change. Other manufacturers have got one or two motorcycles to this country. Which I personally feel is just a brand building exercise. Harley-Davidson is not looking at entering the Indian market thus. Mr. Anoop Prakash said, “We have set up a wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson in Gurgaon. India is the first country where Harley-Davidson has set up a wholly owned subsidiary without selling a single motorcycle!” There was a long moment’s poignant silence after he delivered that amazing sentence. They are thinking of bringing several motorcycles from their entire range, a few from each family. Along with the motorcycles they are also planning to introduce accessories, their range of apparel, riding gear, the whole HOG. At that Mr. Anoop Prakash said, “You are saying the whole HOG, I am not saying it” and he laughed as he said that! “Our aim is to build the brand in the right way.” They are not planning to just showcase two motorcycles. They are giving us an entire gamut to choose from. How many motorcycles are you planning to bring in, I asked him. He replied, we have forty three motorcycles sold worldwide in 70 countries. We do not plan to bring all forty three of those. We plan to launch twelve to fifteen motorcycles from the entire family of Sportsters, Dynas, Softails and CVOs. Not long ago, we conducted a survey in the major cities of New Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore with 500 enthusiastic participants on the pricing of a motorcycle, the styling, the sound, the emotional look and feel that a bike gives to a biker and based on that study we have decided to launch these models. I was pretty much certain that such a man would be aware of the duty structure of imported vehicles in India. To that Mr. Anoop Prakash continued with his effortless ease of handling my questions, “Yes, we are aware of the duty structure that exists in this country. And we are bringing in CBUs only initially. We have no plans of indigenous parts or components manufactured or assembled in India. Which of course means that the pricing will be on the higher side. But as I said, there will be a whole range to choose from. There will be motorcycles ranging from 700, 000 INR to 2, 000, 000 INR. I am sure someone like you who rides an R1, if you have known what the Harley-Davidson experience is all about, you would want to and would have the choice of being able to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the future.” I smiled at his conviction. What he was saying was not far from the truth at all. Are the roads in India ready to receive motorcycles like the Harley-Davidson? Mr. Anoop Prakash points at the Great India Roadtrip book that I had gifted him and says, “You tell me. You have done a 20,000 kilometres roadtrip around India. You tell me if the roads are there.” A short pause later he adds, “I think the roads are there. There are quite a few highways. There some bad roads and rough terrain. But there is NO BETTER motorcycle than a Harley-Davidson to tackle bad roads. These bikes are robust and tough.” Harley is launching in the first half of 2010. They are in the process of setting up dealerships. As of now they have not finalised dealers. They are also in discussions for providing finance options to customers. All of which will be available at the dealerships. “Being Harley-Davidson dealer is not an easy task. It is part of the Harley-Davidson experience. And a dealer should be able to convey that to the customer. The customer should feel the Harley-Davidson experience from the moment he enters a dealership. We even send dealers to Milwaukee to train them and inculcate the Harley-Davidson experience in them which they in turn will be able to pass to their customers. We want to bring the Pure Harley-Davidson experience to India!” Do you have a target? “No. I do not have a target. I have a dream, a vision. I want to see a strong dealer network coming up in two years. I want to see HOG chapters developing in the major regions of the country. Harley-Davidson would like to organize strong get-togethers. This is my vision!” A warm smile broke across his determined countenance. I realized that Harley-Davidson meant business and was here for good. As I stood up to shake hands and leave the room engulfed in dreams of riding a Roadking through the deserts of Rajasthan or along the coastlines of the Konkan, Mr. Anoop Prakash came up to me and gifted me a Waterman Harley-Davidson pen as a souvenir! As I left the warmth of the room, I just realized that I was part of a Harley-Davidson experience for the first time in India! Note: Mr. Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India, amongst other extremely distinguished achievements in his life is an MBA from Harvard Business School and has also served in the US Marine Corps! His career profile can be seen here. Text: Krishnendu KES aka KEN. __________________ The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better! BMW Motorrad Days 2011 Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour Last edited by ken cool; 09-01-2009 at 06:49 PM.

09-01-2009, 04:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Speed Pujari The MotoGrapher Join Date: May 2007 Location: Apni Ranchi- Namma Bengaluru Posts: 313	I heartly welcome HD to India. Need to work out and build up my body. Count me in as a potential buyer in within 4 years time .. __________________ I am Hyper-Linked .. Click Me !

09-01-2009, 04:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sarvajit バイカ　ボイズ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,073	Excellent piece of news&even more brilliantly penned down by OF Sir&Ken Dada! I will also look forward to owning a Harley someday! __________________ Quench my thirst with gasoline!

09-02-2009, 05:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Raoul Black Thrill Seeker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 188	great work Ken, very well written, thoroughly enjoyed reading the piece, kudos to you, keep it up , would really love to go a HD showroom and have the HD experience __________________ Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

09-02-2009, 07:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
shrinathrao Toreador rider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: pune, goa Posts: 2,447	excellent write up sir people like u really builds bridges over hopes by bringing such powerful personalities together who really want to do something good for the 2 wheeler riders in india. excellent work ken da __________________ If you don't ride in the rain, you don't ride. ~Author Unknown Don't argue with an 18-wheeler. ~Author Unknown Gray-haired riders don't get that way from pure luck. You don’t stop riding because you’re getting old, but you get old when you stop riding.

09-02-2009, 08:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
JOSH5898 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: COIMBATORE Posts: 813	Fabulous piece of work ken. If not for you & XBHP many of us would not have known about the HD's plans in India and the initial first ride experience. All we could have gathered from news and tv would have been tit bits with no proper sense.. Thanks a lot to the whole team. Welcome To INDIA MR HARLEY. __________________ Cheers JOSH

09-02-2009, 11:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
whizzkid_ram Bucephalus Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UNITED STATES OF CHENNAI, TN 21 AH 4555, TN 21 J 4555, TN 21 AF 4555 Posts: 1,842	Hot bread news with the super strong chaaya ... __________________ B o D a C i O u S The increase in performance is directly proportional to the size of the hole in your pocket :D

09-04-2009, 03:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
moeed The Addict! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad/On the highways Posts: 2,395	Thanks for the interview!

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