Harley Hero tie up: What Harley-Davidson bike owners in India need to know

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Harley-Davidson has forged a partnership in India with Hero MotoCorp for India operations. As part of this collaboration, Hero will be responsible for selling and servicing H-D bikes in the country.

Harley-Davidson, after a run of ten years, decided to end operations in India owing to poor sales. The American motorcycle maker, which enjoys a cult following on a global level, failed to rack up sales in the country and was selling less than 200 units every month. This, along with a sales decline on a global level, compelled H-D to bid adieu to several challenging motorcycle markets, including India. However, the legendary motorcycle maker has now forged a partnership with Hero MotoCorp to continue operations in the country. This collaboration with Hero will allow Harley to leverage Indian brand’s wide distribution channel in the country. On the other hand, Hero will be able to enter the high capacity and premium motorcycle segment with this collaboration.

If you are an existing Harley-Davidson owner, then you must be wondering about the aftersales network. Harley-Davidson had previously noted that it will continue to offer aftersales services via its existing dealerships. And with the latest partnership, Hero MotoCorp will be responsible for offering aftersales services to existing Harley-Davidson owners in the country. For this, the Indian two-wheeler maker will use existing Harley dealerships in India and could also establish some exclusive Hero MotoCorp dealerships. The Indian brand will also be responsible for Harley-Davidson bikes’ spare parts, accessories, riding gear, and merchandise. 

Hero MotoCorp will also take care of the distribution and sales of Harley-Davidson bikes in the country. For this, it is likely to use H-D’s existing dealerships and could even set up new showrooms. And as part of a licensing agreement, Hero will also be developing and selling a range of premium bikes under Harley-Davidson brand name. And as for manufacturing of Harley-Davidson bikes, it is not sure if Hero MotoCorp will be taking over production of H-D’s bikes or will the American brand continue to use its Bawal manufacturing facility, which is currently shut. In all honesty, the details concerning Harley-Davidson and Hero MotorCorp partnership are quite scarce as the two companies are still working out the details. But in the meantime, existing Harley-Davidson dealerships will continue to offer after-sales support to existing Harley owners in India.