Motorcycles from India: Royal Enfield Dethrones the Big Boys
Is Royal Enfield Outpacing Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorrad, and KTM in Motorcycle Sales and Market Share?
The electric motorbike frenzy may have the Big Boys in Japan, Europe, and China flexing their muscles, but there's a new sheriff in town - and it ain't afraid to step on a few toes. We're talking about none other than India, the unlikely contender crushing it in the mid-range motorcycle game with Royal Enfield leading the charge.
If you crunch the numbers based on revenue, the usual suspects at the top of the high-end motorcycle manufacturing heap include Harley-Davidson and BMW. However, when you shift your focus to the annual production volume of two-wheelers, it's the Japanese giants like Honda and Yamaha, with their broad model range from 50cc upwards, that take center stage. But let's not forget the fine print: When we focus solely on motorcycles (and not scooters or smaller motorbikes), it's Royal Enfield that deserves the crown, according to Kai Petermann, responsible for the brand's distribution in Germany.
The Indian brand opts out of the production of smaller engines (125cc and below), commonly favored by big manufacturers to boost their production numbers. They also skip out on the fabrication of mopeds, light motorcycles, and other lightweight options. Instead, they focus on mid-range motorcycles with engine capacities ranging from 250cc to 750cc. In one fiscal year alone, they pumped out a record-breaking one million motorcycles, with four engine series to back them up.
These series include a 350cc single-cylinder engine, two air-cooled single-cylinder engines (one not homologated for Europe and another with a capacity of 440cc), and a 650cc twin-cylinder engine. The newest addition to the family is a 450cc single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling, available since 2023 and currently featuring in the Himalayan adventure bike and the Guerilla naked bike.
Royal Enfield: The Premium Indian Brand Taking Over
Royal Enfield is on a steady rise in its home market, considered a premium brand in its own right. The manufacturer is making waves not just in Asia but also across the western world. Even in performance-oriented Germany, Royal Enfield's influence is beginning to solidify. In 2022, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) recognized Royal Enfield as one of the top 12 motorcycle brands by volume for the first time.
To cater to this growing market, Royal Enfield is setting its sights on increasing its presence in the twin-cylinder segment starting in 2025, with the new "Bear 650" and "Classic 650" models. This moves the brand's total model count to a formidable 12, available in various versions and colors.
The most affordable model, the HNTR 350 in the Dapper version, is priced at €4,490, while the most expensive, the Super Meteor 650 "Celestial," checks in at €8,390. The new "Bear" models fall between €7,640 and €7,890, and the new Classic 650 between €7,090 and €7,390. The brand also has plans to release an electric motorcycle in 2022.
To continue piling up the registration and ownership numbers in Germany, Royal Enfield is expanding its presence significantly, setting up its own German subsidiary this fall to better serve its customers.
Source: ntv.de, Ulf Böringer, sp-x
Fun Fact:
Despite roots dating back to 1901, the Classic 650 carries on a tradition that's been ongoing since the brand's inception - a strong, durable, and timeless approach to motorcycle design and manufacturing. Now, they're pushing bounds, taking the limelight, and showing the Big Boys a thing or two!
Royal Enfield, a premium Indian brand, is making a significant impact in the global motorcycle market, with an impressive production of mid-range motorcycles. This shift has led to their recognition as one of the top 12 motorcycle brands by volume in Germany. With the introduction of newer models like the Bear 650 and Classic 650 starting in 2025, the brand is poised to increase its presence in the twin-cylinder segment. Amidst this growth, Royal Enfield is also venturing into gadgets and technology, as they plan to release an electric motorcycle in 2022.
