Harley-Davidson has finally gotten around to launching their Indian version of the Fat Bob, giving them 13 models for sale in the country.
The Asian motorcycle market is growing quickly, while manufacturers have seen bike sales slip in much of the rest of the world in recent years. Harley-Davidson is trying to boost sales in India by importing their bikes as knock-down units; the bikes’ parts are built elsewhere, shipped to India, and assembled there. This helps the American company circumnavigate Indian import laws, keeping the price down.
Speaking of prices, after conversion, the Fat Bob should cost around Rs 12.80 lakh, or $22,910 in Canadian dollars.
Harley-Davidson hasn’t seen the massive sales of Indian competitors like Bajaj or Hero yet, but those are lower-priced bikes meant for the masses. Your average Indian doesn’t have 22 grand for a bike. But HD is hoping to double their sales, from 1,000 bikes to 2,000, in 2012. They have nine dealers in the country now.
