Harley Davidson to quit India, take $75 million in restructuring cost

Company will incur restructuring cost of $75 mn, MD of India operations sent to Singapore, 70 employees to lose jobs

Iconic US motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Harley) will discontinue its sales and manufacturing operations in India. The move is seen as part of its global restructuring initiative, under which it plans to exit international markets, where volumes and profitability have been elusive.

Industry sources said that Harley is also exploring a strategic tie-up with India’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp. UK-based Triumph Motorcycles, Harley’s rival in the 500-cc and above segment, has a non-equity partnership with Bajaj Auto, under which it produces its products at Bajaj’s Chakan factory. Bajaj also handles the distribution for Triumph.

“We are open to all kinds of