Hero MotoCorp raises new Harley-Davidson prices in India

A Harley Davidson X440 bike is displayed in this handout image obtained by Reuters on July 18, 2023. Hero MotorCorp/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
BENGALURU, Aug 2 (Reuters) – Two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp (HROM.NS) on Wednesday raised prices of the new Indian Harley-Davidson motorcycle by 10,500 rupees ($127.45) days after the Harley chief executive said pre-orders of the new model exceeded the company’s expectations.
The Harley-Davidson X440 will be priced at 239,500 rupees ($2,905.06) and above, with the hike applicable for all its variants, Hero said in a statement. Deliveries are expected to begin by October.
Harley partnered with Hero, the world’s largest motorcycle maker, to develop and sell a range of its own branded bikes in India, starting with the X440 after exiting and shuttering most of its dealer network in 2020 in the country.
Harley entered the space with its British rival Triumph last month and unveiled their cheapest models in India, the largest motorcycle market by sales, to tap into higher spending in premium segments across categories.
Triumph, which has partnered with Bajaj Auto (BAJA.NS) in its India venture, had last month said that the starting price of its Speed 400 motorcycle would be 223,000 rupees for its first 10,000 customers and then raised to 233,000 rupees.
Triumph had crossed more than 14,000 in bookings last month, while Hero or Harley did not disclose their booking numbers.