Triumph rides into India with up to Rs 20-lakh bikes

Company aims to sell around 500 units within the first six months of the launch

British motorcycle brand Triumph on Thursday entered India with 10 models, priced between Rs 5.7 lakh and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), to challenge the dominance of Harley-Davidson here.

The US motorcycle maker, which has on offer 12 motorcycles between Rs 5.91 lakh and Rs 29 lakh, accounts for three of every four superbikes (with engine capacity above 550cc) sold in India. Triumph is expecting to close the year with sales of 50,000 bikes. Harley’s annual sales are 250,000 bikes.

Triumph, which has set up a wholly owned subsidiary in the country, will start delivering its bikes from January next year. Bookings are scheduled to begin in the second week of December.

Vimal Sumbly, managing director, Triumph Motorcycles India, said, “We are looking at selling 400-500 units in the next six months. In the next financial year (the company follows July-June financial year), we are eyeing sales of over 1,000 bikes.” The company plans to have nine dealerships by the end of March. “In the first phase, we will start sales through two dealerships in Hyderabad and Bangalore in December. Two more outlets in Delhi and Mumbai would be operational by the end of January. In the second phase of expansion, we will add dealerships in Kolkata, Chennai and Pune to have a total of nine sales points,” said Sumbly.

While six of the 10 models on offer in India will be assembled locally, the costlier ones — Thunderbird Storm, Rocket III Roadster, Tiger 800 XC and Tiger Explorer — will be imported as completely built units from the UK and Thailand.