Indian motorcycle and scooter manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, has recently announced the development of a separate vertical, in a bid to boost the company’s Harley-Davidson business as well as merchandise distribution in the region.

The largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India has revealed the appointment of Ravi Avalur as the new vertical’s business unit head. Mr. Avalur will be reporting to Hero MotoCorp’s CEO and Chairman, Pawan Munjal. He has operated previously as the head of strategy & international business at Cooper. Prior to Cooper, he also had assumed the role of the Managing Director of Ducati India.

As per the reported statement made by Hero MotoCorp, the new business will include 4 executives from the erstwhile Indian operations of Harley-Davidson. Since 18^th January 2021, the company has started the wholesale dispatches of the product to the dealers. Additionally, it also has on-boarded 11 dealers of Harley-Davidson in key geographies across India.

The statement further added that the company is planning to expand its accessories, parts, and service business beyond 11 cities covered presently by the newly-appointed dealers to the pan-India level, by leveraging the extensive dealer network.

In September 2020, Harley-Davidson announced the discontinuation of its sales and manufacturing processes in India, 10 years after marketing its premium bikes in the region. Later in late-October, the company and Hero MotoCorp partnered to continue business expansions in the Indian market.

As per the agreement, Hero MotoCorp will start developing and selling a wide range of premium motorcycles in India under the Harley-Davidson brand. The company will also supply parts and other service requirements to manufacture Harley bikes. These Harley accessories & general merchandise, riding gear, and apparel will then be sold via a brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealer network as well as its existing sales network in the region.

Source credit:

https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/hero-motocorp-sets-up-dedicated-biz-vertical-for-harley-davidson