TVS to invest 200 mn pounds in Norton Motorcycles; India launch on plan

TVS Motor Company will invest around £200 million in British iconic bikemaker Norton Motorcycles, owned by the Indian major. The investment will be covering areas like new product development, facilities, research and development (R&D), and world-class quality engineering.

As part of its product line-up expansion, Norton will be launching six new models over the next three years. The investment and growth plans are expected to put Norton in the ideal place for international expansion, including in India.

The Solihull (UK)-based company seeks to expand in the US, Germany, France, Italy and India, TVS said.

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, which was held in the UK from July 11-14, members of Norton’s senior leadership team — Sudarshan Venu, Robert Hentschel and Richard Arnold — shared the vision of the brand and discussed how the company is now perfectly placed to expand globally.

Venu, managing director, TVS Motor Company, said: “Our vision, commitment and investment in the Norton brand is entering an exciting phase. We look forward to sharing that with motorcyclists across the world.”

With TVS Motor’s backing and global capabilities, Norton is being reinvigorated as a global brand, led by a strong and dynamic team. The new Norton motorcycles will follow the company’s philosophy of “Design, Dynamism, and Detail”, it said, adding that exciting product launches are being planned starting next year.

At the Goodwood Festival, Venu outlined the expansion of Norton Motorcycles’ senior leadership team, as well as the investment in the company. New appointments included Richard Arnold as Norton Executive Director, and Dr Robert Hentschel as its executive director and CEO. Arnold is a former CEO of Manchester United Football Club.

As a result of TVS Motor’s investment and support, Norton’s revitalised R&D has been channelled into its product pipeline through its state-of-the-art facility in Solihull. Testament to this is the One of One V4SV, inspired by Steve Hislop’s “White Charger” that sped up the Goodwood Hillclimb every day of the festival.

Hentschel said: “The investment in R&D and leadership has us positioned to take six exciting products to countries across the world, with world-class quality and scale, spelling another epoch of success in the Norton story. Our focus on design, drivability and details will maximise the exciting opportunity for Norton as well as for those new customers who choose one of our motorcycles.”

This year also marks the completion of Norton Motorcycles honouring Norton Motorcycles UK Ltd (NMUL) customers. After investing £2.3 million in development, manufacturing and re-engineering of the Commando and V4 platforms, the fulfilment and delivery of orders for customers of the previous company signify the closing of a significant chapter in which Norton can fully focus on the company’s future, he added.

Arnold said: “Norton’s heritage is vast, and (it) plays a key part in our development as a global brand. It’s important for us to prioritise our customers, both in the present and the future. Not only with new bikes but also with every touchpoint of the Norton experience. The products currently in testing and development are incredibly exciting. Bikers around the world will love to ride them and love to own them. I am looking forward to expanding their availability to local dealers in new territories and connecting with bikers to share the Norton journey.”