Talking to PTI, Siddhartha Lal, MD and CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd.
Talking to PTI, Siddhartha Lal, MD and CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd. (parent company of Royal Enfield), revealed that the Chennai-based retro classic motorcycle maker is currently developing two new engine platforms in the displacement range of 2500-750cc. These engines would be used to launch multiple products in the coming years, staring from 2016.
Royal Enfield new engine platforms will spawn multiple products (image: our speculative rendering of the Himalayan tourer).
Mr. Lal didn’t divulge further details about the displacements of the two new engine platforms but various media reports indicate that the company is currently working on a 410 cc single-cylinder motor and a larger parallel-twin unit. The new engines, along with the existing platforms – 350, 500 and 535 cc – would help RE pursue its goal of dominating the global medium displacement motorcycle segment.
Talking about the future products, the top official said that they would possess higher performance but won’t be of extreme nature. The upcoming RE motorcycles will stick to the brand’s core values.
The company is aiming to achieve global leadership in the medium displacement category.
The first model to be out in 2016 is expected to be an adventure tourer/scrambler called as the Himalayanwhich has just started testingon public roads. The new bike is expected to be powered by the 410 cc motor in question. The early prototype borrowed several components from the Continental GT but we expect the final product to have a distinctive appeal with considerable off-road capability.
The company is planning to invest around INR 500 cr this year in stepping up its R&D operations by establishing two technology development centres (India and UK) and enter Phase-II of production at Oragadam plant which would see the monthly production capacity increase from 30,000 to 50,000 units. Mr. Lal said that the firm will continue to invest more into brand, distribution and globally relevant products.
The company would invest on developing more globally relevant products and capacity expansion.
Royal Enfield recorded its best ever first quarter sales in Q1 2015 at 92,845 units, registering an impressive growth off 44.5% over same period last year. Exports grew at 62% at 2,342 units.
Source: ET Auto
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