Harley-Davidson rewires India business: Sales-manufacturing discontinued

Press Release:

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) today announced that as part of The Rewire, an overhaul of its operating model and market structure, the company is changing its business model in India and evaluating options to continue to serve its customers.

Harley-Davidson plans to close its manufacturing facility in Bawal and significantly reduce the size of its sales office in Gurgaon. The company is communicating with its customers in India and will keep them updated on future support. The Harley-Davidson dealer network will continue to serve customers through the contract term.

These actions are aligned with The Rewire which is planned to continue through the end of 2020, leading to The Hardwire, a new strategic plan for 2021-2025 aimed at building desirability for the Harley-Davidson brand and products.

Re: Harley-Davidson rewires India business: Sales-manufacturing discontinued

I wish they would be clearer than
I understand that companies may have valid financial (and other) reasons for exiting the Indian market, but they have to provide more guidance to owners on what to expect for service & parts going forward. Harley has handled that poorly, which is made worse because Harley owners typically have such out-sized loyalty to the brand.

Do they expect to sell any of the inventory currently with dealers?

Re: Harley-Davidson rewires India business: Sales-manufacturing discontinued

Rumors are that they will have some kind of deal with Hero Motors for retailing.

Re: Harley Davidson to exit India

The company doesn't want to change enough. Most of its variants are making under 80 bhp (Dear HD, hiding power figures doesn't help), even Suzuki Intruder made more power than their entire range IIRC. Technology wise its obsolete and reliability issues are heard of too.
And lastly, it doesn't want to sell run of the mill models to the common 125cc to 200cc seeking public (under a different brand name)... How will it make money? A Street 750 in around 6 Lakhs is not run of the mill in India.


A pyramid with no bottom stones is a pyramid floating in air... (meaning it doesn't exist). I see a grim future for all premium brands which don't have a bottom range in India.

With 25000 units sold in these years, Harley must now address clearly a big group of customers about the future of their rides.
I can already see ads on olx in a 6 lakh population city like mine, says a lot how the owners feel.


I do hope they can get things sorted with Hero Motocorp's assistance.