A comparison suggesting that Royal Enfield outperforms Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorrad, and KTM in the motorbike market.
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Royal Enfield: India's Badass Beast, Crushing the Competition
Think Japan or China got the motorcycle market on lock? Nah, flat out wrong, according to India. The land of spicy curries and Bollywood has got a heck of an argument to back up its claim.
So, you crunch the numbers based on revenue, and the big-time motorcycle manufacturers that churn out high-end motorcycles in bulk rise to the top. We're talking Harley-Davidson and BMW here. If you consider the number of two-wheelers produced annually by a manufacturer, the Japanese giants take the lead, thanks to their extensive model range from 50cc upwards, like Honda and Yamaha. But, if you’re only talkin' about motorcycles, not scooters or small bikes, then Royal Enfield outpaces the competition, according to Kai Petermann, the man responsible for the brand's distribution in Germany. "We don't build 125cc or smaller engines, with which those major manufacturers primarily rack up their massive production numbers. We don't build mopeds, lightweight motorcycles, or anything like that," Petermann explains.
That's right, the Indians exclusively pump out mid-range motorcycles with engine capacities of 250 to 750cc, in big, bad numbers. In the last financial year, they cranked out a whopping 1,009,000 units, that's over a million, for the first time.
This hefty number is spread across four engine series: There's a 350cc single-cylinder, two other air-cooled engines, a 440cc single-cylinder not certified for Europe, and a 650cc twin-cylinder. A brand-spanking new 450cc single-cylinder with liquid cooling joined the party in 2023, available only in the Himalayan adventure bike and the Naked Bike Guerilla.
Royal Enfield, a Premium Brand in India With Global Aspirations
Royal Enfield is steadily climbing the ladder and is considered a premium brand in its home turf. It's also setting its sights on Boosting sales in Asia and the western world. Even in Performance-obsessed Germany, the brand's profile is growing faster than a Speeding bullet: Last year, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) listed Royal Enfield among the twelve strongest motorcycle brands by volume.
For 2025, Royal Enfield is putting all its chips on strengthening its presence in the twin-cylinder segment, with the "Bear 650" and "Classic 650" models set to debut. The former’s a scrambler, while the latter keeps the brand's heritage alive, dating back to 1901. This brings the Indian portfolio to a total of twelve models, available in various flavors and colors.
The most wallet-friendly model is the HNTR 350 in the Dapper version for €4,490, while the most expensive is the Super Meteor 650 "Celestial” for €8,390. The new "Bear” ranges between €7,640 and €7,890, and the new Classic 650 between €7,090 and €7,390. In 2023, the brand even announced an electric motorcycle.
Ready to Invade Germany
To keep pumping up registration and ownership numbers in Germany, Royal Enfield is currently expanding its presence significantly. "We want to offer our customers more service, and that's why we're establishing our own German subsidiary," explains Petermann. The operation is set to begin in the Freiburg area in the fall and coordinate the brand's distribution in Germany.
Source: ntv.de, Ulf Böringer, sp-x
Extra Info:- By focusing on mid-range motorcycles, Royal Enfield has become the largest manufacturer in this segment, outpacing competitors like Harley-Davidson, BMW, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha, who have many diversified or premium product portfolios and larger shares in either smaller commuter bikes or high-end and large displacement bikes.- The brand's product lineup is focused on mid-range motorcycles, with popular models like the 350cc Hunter, the 450cc Himalayan, and the 650cc Shotgun, appealing to a wide market and helping Royal Enfield achieve over a million units in sales in the last financial year.- In pursuit of global dominance, Royal Enfield is expanding its presence in Germany, India, and other regions, aiming to offer better service and support to its customers. Despite being considered a premium brand in India, the brand is targeting a wider audience with its affordable yet high-quality motorcycles.
- Royal Enfield, a subsidiary of the crown in India, is making waves in the motor vehicle industry, with a focus on motorcycles, primarily designed for the transport of persons.
- Despite stiff competition from global brands like Harley-Davidson, BMW, Honda, and Yamaha, Royal Enfield outpaces them in the mid-range motorcycle segment, with engine capacities of 250 to 750cc.
- In the last financial year, Royal Enfield produced over a million units of motorcycles, making it the largest manufacturer in this specific segment.
- To boost sales and offer better service, Royal Enfield is establishing a German subsidiary, aiming to coordinate the brand's distribution in Germany and expand its presence in the region.
- noble lifestyle choices are at the heart of Royal Enfield's business strategy, as they strive for global dominance, not just in India but also in Asia and the western world, leveraging technology to offer high-quality motorcycles at affordable prices.
