The biggest two-wheeler manufacturer in India, Hero MotoCorp, has expanded its partnership with American luxury motorbike producer Harley-Davidson. Along with extending the present co-developed model into other variants, the two companies aim to co-develop and manufacture a new motorbike.
Working together since 2020, Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have developed and sold motorcycles in India and several other markets. The first co-developed model was the 2023 launch Harley-Davidson X440. Currently produced at Hero MotoCorp’s Garden Factory in Neemrana, Rajasthan, with an ex-showroom price of Rs 2.80 lakh,
“The extension of the existing collaboration between Hero and Harley-Davidson, which has been in place since October 2020, will expand the X440 motorcycle into new variants and develop and manufacture a new motorcycle,” Hero MotoCorp said in an exchange filing explaining the rationale for the partnership extension.
The main product line of Hero MotoCorp has been entry-level motorcycles running from 100 to 110cc. Hero MotoCorp has changed its emphasis more towards the 125cc and premium segments as well as XTECH variants, with a strategy including the most product launches in the current fiscal year, as the premium motorcycle market is growing at a far faster rate than the commuter segment in recent years.
Working with Harley-Davidson is seen as Hero MotoCorp’s endeavour to strengthen its premium segment brand image. In January, Hero MotoCorp revealed the Maverick roadster. Built on Harley-Davidson’s X440 chassis, Hero is the first co-developed vehicle produced by the company.
The ongoing collaboration coincides with Hero MotoCorp’s development of its first electric motorcycle. According to our sister newspaper Autocar Professional, Hero MotoCorp plans a portfolio of six electric motorcycles under the Vida line and another four motorcycles under its partnership with Zero Motors starting in 2025–2026.
To co-develop and produce luxury two-wheelers in India, other big two-wheeler manufacturers Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor have also teamed with Triumph and BMW Motorrad.
