Triumph says it will commence assembly and sales operations in India this November and has recruited an experienced local to head up its business there.
Vimal Sumbly (right), formerly general manager for sales at second-biggest indigenous Indian bike manufacturer Bajaj Auto, has been appointed as managing director. Sumbly is currently looking for dealer partners across strategic locations throughout India.
Speaking at a press conference, Triumph global sales and marketing director Paul Stroud said: “2013 is a very crucial year for Triumph Motorcycles in India and, as a company, we are confident about the timing of our market entry. In the past few months, we have carefully assessed the market landscape and will be making well-honed efforts to provide our discerning customers with a complete brand experience.”
The company is likely to begin with a portfolio of its cheaper Bonneville twin and 675cc triple models assembled from CKD kits, to minimise import tariffs and therefore maximise price competitiveness. But unconfirmed reports of a forthcoming smaller (possibly single-cylinder) bike wholly manufactured in India have been dismissed by Triumph who say it will be manufactured at one of it’s three factories in Thailand. Triumph’s production plant at Manesar, an industrial city in Gurgaon province close to Indian capital New Delhi, is now nearing completion.