Harley-Davidson to build bikes in India

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Fazer1Sniper, Nov 8, 2010.

  1. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Or would that be the Indian American Indian?
     
  2. ngc4945

    ngc4945 New Member

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    The left hand grip of those Indian Harley's might be a bit on the nose...
     
  3. KC-10 FE

    KC-10 FE New Member

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    My point is VERY simple. I, along with probably every single person registered on this web site, have been ridiculed at some point about riding "Jap Scrap" or heard "Why don't you buy American?" or heard "HARLEY!!! Made in America by Americans" or heard "One day, you will end up on a HD" etc... Now, they can't say it with a straight face.

    The unemployment in Wisconsin has nothing to do with where the bikes are assembled, it has everything to do with how much they cost & how much the workers there demand to be paid. Let them assemble the bikes in India, since I can see not a single way, shape or form how I could spend my hard-earned money on a HD, this will not affect me in the slightest. I also do not see how this is going to benefit HD since I'm fairly certain the average citizen in India would have to work for 358 years to afford a FLHTXCDWITY Electra Ultra Vibro Astro Glide with the optional kitchen sink package. I also know that they certainly DID NOT employ any Americans in this deal unless there are some Americans living in India & are willing to work for $0.13/hour.

    KC-10 FE out...
    :plane: :usa2:
     
  4. John451

    John451 Member

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    Seems this is a great idea for HD.

    Often talk motorcycles with my Manager ( a good guy Australianised Indian who's been here over 20 years ) so mentioned this news to him he reckoned HD are onto a winner. In India their are more millionaires than the total number of people in Australia many who grew up on and love motorcycles, yes most are 125 to 150cc but they all know how to ride them on terrible roads in insane traffic. He related from young many yearn for 500cc Royal Enfields like his very cool uncle had when growing up but if given a choice a HD would be king.

    Due to the scary potholed roads it seems most Indians are less interested in carving up twisties and more interested in looking cool whether riding or stationary, product placing a few locally built Harley Davidsons in some Big budget Bollywood movies would help sell them them no end. :cool:
     
  5. ngc4945

    ngc4945 New Member

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    This might be right - but won't the Indian's damage the paintwork when they try and wash the Harley's by banging them on a rock by the side of a river? :biggrin:
     
  6. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    careful, your ignorance on the topic is really starting to show

    The bikes sold in America are built and remain built in America.

    Harley has now found a whole new market to SELL their product - India.

    More sales = more units = more kits and components built in Wisconsin = more revenue to a US company = more jobs and job security in Wisconsin.

    bikes built (partially) in India for consumption in the Indian market.

    Harley can still say made in America by Americans with a straight face.

    And you can bet Buell would have shipped containers of unassembled sport bikes there too for consumption in the Indian market if he could.

    Read the Honda annual investor report and see that the consumption of bikes in Thialand alone is double all of what Honda sells in the US.
     
  7. John451

    John451 Member

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    This is the important bit, there is no way a Foreign Auto / motorcycle company can sell in India without having a local partner adding local content to mainstream products ie assembly. The US still gain by sending over the US made parts and the eventual profits which over the long term could be massive.
     
  8. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    LOL.. Keep in mind that ol KC likes being pissed off at most things. Kind of like Don Quixote.
     
  9. KC-10 FE

    KC-10 FE New Member

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    If you want to label me as ignorant, knock yourself out, I just don't care. I was completely unaware of your status as a consultant on the matters of HD marketing & Indian economics. If insulting me makes you feel better about yourself, by all means, fire away.

    I would like to see exactly what models they will be putting together in India with American made parts. Are they the same as the US market? Is HD making under 500cc bikes that most of the world outside the US seems to like the best? Is there really a market in India for full size hogs? Inquiring minds want to know.

    KC-10 FE out...
    :plane: :usa2:
     
  10. crustyrider

    crustyrider New Member

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    here is the "official " Harley Davidson India Web site... Harley-Davidson India - Home looks like they are offing the whole line up.. more than likely the more expensive ones have a longer wait time...but here they are.... an XL 883L is 695000 rupees which is roughly 44.3 rupees to the dollar... so the price of the bike in us dollars ...15,688
     
  11. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    I made no such insult, personal or otherwise. Just pointing out you are expressing strong opinions and accusations about something you clearly know little about.

    As for your second paragraph; all very good questions.
     
  12. KC-10 FE

    KC-10 FE New Member

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    So, in India, it's double the price (more or less) the exact same bike would be in the USofA? I see India has it's fair share of stupid suckers just like the USofA does.

    KC-10 FE out...
    :plane: :usa2:
     
  13. Fazer1Sniper

    Fazer1Sniper New Member

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    They pay that much for a sporty what can we get for this fine peice of craftsmanship...
    [​IMG]
    ..... I know what KC-10FE is getting for Christmas.
     
  14. John451

    John451 Member

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    It will be full sized Harleys they'll be buying. Bit of a generalization but those that want one wont care how much a HD is as long as they can buy one and it is loud and shiny.

    India is 3rd in the world for Billionaires and there are some 200 million middle class people in India who have loads of cash money in their cupboards and love to show off to there neighbours and as mentioned before most love their motorcycles flashy whether parked or riding and don't really care about fanging around the twisties.
     
  15. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I'd like to have a Harley Chia Pet. Does anyone have a line on one? It has to be full size too. None of that miniature shit for me.
     
  16. tmyoungjr

    tmyoungjr New Member

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    Agreed !!!!

    [​IMG]
     
  17. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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  18. tmyoungjr

    tmyoungjr New Member

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    damn one upper!
     
  19. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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  20. John451

    John451 Member

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    Interesting, the USA is not just selling Harley Davidsons to India, my guess it is also looking for India as a counter balance to China and Pakistan in the region.

    "Eager to diversify its weapons procurement sourcing, India has told the US to ease its export control restrictions to allow high-end weapons technology tie-ups between the two nations. India's defense minister, A K Antony, who visited America last month to iron out matters with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates prior to the Obama visit, said that India is eager to "diversify its defense procurement sourcing and wants America to ease export control restrictions" for fully-fledged military exchanges.

    Over the last couple of years, the big arms deals inked with America include six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for almost US$1 billion (2007) and eight Boeing P-8I planes for more than US$2 billion (2009).

    India has also acquired the Airborne Early Warning Air Craft, Hawkeye E-2D, developed by US firm Northrop Grumman, much to China's irritation. There is a pending multi-billion-dollar deal for American C-17 cargo planes.

    America has also been looking to bag a mammoth US$12 billion deal to supply 126 advanced fighters with an option for 60-odd more "


    Asia Sentinel - India Buys US War Equipment
     
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