Bike manufacturer BMW Motorrad, is reported to be planning a series of sub-500 cc motorcycles over next three years, in partnership with TVS in Chennai, India. If they look anything like this, they should be a big hit.
Although no official statement has been released by BMW, strong rumours have emerged in India regarding the type of bikes that might be launched. If sources are to be believed, then BMW Motorrad is likely to include a naked bike and an adventure bike in its portfolio. Sources close to this development have said that the naked and adventure bikes might have a displacement below 250 cc. As per reports and figures, the German two-wheeler manufacturer has been performing really well in the international market.
Bikes produced by BMW Motorrad have been admired for their superb technology, performance-oriented engines and excellent aerodynamics. Recently, according to reports, the German firm celebrated nine decades of motorcycling with unveiling of the BMW R nine T. This augured well for the Indian bike maker TVS in its partnership with BMW Motorrad. According to reports, sub-500 cc bikes will be manufactured at TVS' facility located in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, with production targeted for 2016.
India is one of the largest markets in the world for two-wheelers, as a huge population travels on bikes on a regular basis. In addition, the demand for sports bikes in India has been rising in the past few years. Experts believing that collaborating with an Indian company is a wise decision for any foreign bike maker as the domestic firms have established distribution and production frameworks.
There have been a few examples of successful partnerships between Indian and foreign bike makers. Hero Honda, a partnership that was dissolved sometime back, can be considered as the most successful collaboration in the history of the Indian market. Another association is the one between Bajaj and KTM. The Austrian manufacturer, in association with Bajaj, is producing motorcycles for the Indian market.—Paul Duchene
