Open to partnering Harley: Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp is ready to partner Harley-Davidson in India as the cult American bike maker looks at a larger play here with low-powered, locally-made products, chairman Pawan Munjal has said. “If they want to (enter into a partnership), then why not? Sure… I am open to the right kind of match,” Munjal told TOI when asked whether the company is ready for an alliance with Harley.

While claiming that no proposal is on the table at this time, Munjal said about the possibility of partnership with a premium maker, “The sooner it happens, it’s good for everyone.” It is understood that the American company held talks with Hero Moto-Corp recently as it firms up a long-term local plan for India, something it did in China a few months ago.

Munjal refused to confirm this, but said that Hero is “very open” to partnerships. “This is the era of partnerships and as and when the right kind of partnership comes our way, or we are able to get around to one, we would be willing to do that. There are people who are looking at this market for certain segments, (and) we are wanting to get into higher segments. If there is a match, then why not?”

While Indian companies have attained expertise in lowpowered commuter two-wheelers, they lack the skills and refinement of making powerful bikes, which has resulted in partnerships with global companies. TVS already has a partnership with BMW for mid-powered bikes, while Bajaj has tied up with British company Triumph. Harley-Davidson has said publicly that it is scouting for a partner in India with a manufacturing and distribution footprint to make lightweight motorcycles in the sub-500cc category.

Speaking about the slowdown in the two-wheeler market, Munjal said that it is worrying as the numbers have been depressed for a very long period. “There is a concern that the slowdown has gone on for a fairly long period… I would think that this looks like a near- to mediumterm phenomenon.”