Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:21 pm
Hi JS That doesn't surprise me. The market here is heavy with nostalgia, and would be very different from the situation in the States.
I hear from several sources that Royal Enfield have recently recapitalised and are planning/hoping to emerge onto the world stage as a major exporter of 'classic' bikes, with a whole range of new models tailored to the various national markets. They are intending to challenge Triumph in the UK, for example, in their range of retro bikes (If their publicity is to be believed.)
Enfield have traditionally manufactured bikes primarily for the Indian domestic market. In India, after fifty years, the Bullet is still THE motorcycle of choice and carries more status there than any other bike. Their only significant export market until now has been the UK. As I said, there is a lot of nostalgia for them here. And they have a lot to play on: they were originally a British firm based just south of Birmingham, and they have produced motorcycles without interruption for longer than any other manufacturer, anywhere in the world.
I hear from several sources that Royal Enfield have recently recapitalised and are planning/hoping to emerge onto the world stage as a major exporter of 'classic' bikes, with a whole range of new models tailored to the various national markets. They are intending to challenge Triumph in the UK, for example, in their range of retro bikes (If their publicity is to be believed.)
Enfield have traditionally manufactured bikes primarily for the Indian domestic market. In India, after fifty years, the Bullet is still THE motorcycle of choice and carries more status there than any other bike. Their only significant export market until now has been the UK. As I said, there is a lot of nostalgia for them here. And they have a lot to play on: they were originally a British firm based just south of Birmingham, and they have produced motorcycles without interruption for longer than any other manufacturer, anywhere in the world.
