Raleigh Hopes To Ride Back

Raleigh Cycles is hoping to make a triumphant comeback in India after a marathon court battle against the Cycle Corporation of India that has stretched on for fourteen years.

The British two-wheeler major is about to resume talks with the Chennai-based TI Group for a licensing arrangement that will bring the `real' Raleigh cycles back on India's roads in doublequick time.

Raleigh was driven off the streets in the early '80s after its licensee Sen-Raleigh was nationalised by the West Bengal government. The company which later became the Cycle Corporation of India continued to use the Raleigh brand name on its bicycles even though the British company had pulled out from the venture.

 

This led to a tortuous court battle which has dragged on through the Calcutta High Court and gone all the way to the Supreme Court. The Cycle Corporation of India has fought the case bitterly even though it has stopped production at its Calcutta factory. Raleigh held discussions with the TI Group three years back when it looked as if the legal wrangling was about to end. However, their hopes were premature and the case has dragged on for another three years.

The Supreme Court had given a judgement in the British company's favour but ordered that it would have to apply to the Calcutta High Court for a licence to start production.

The Calcutta High Court has now given the company leave to apply for a licence two weeks after the court reopens.

The British cycle maker has not made firm plans about production numbers in India. "We will reintroduce the authentic Raleigh in India. But we are still keeping our fingers crossed," says Chris Handley, who handles international operations.

Raleigh belonged to Britain's TI Group until it was sold 10 years ago.

It has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Chennai-based TI Group.