Royal Enfield registers 40 percent growth rate in 2011, invests $30 million to double output and decrease waiting period
A legendary motorcycle with a massive fan following, Royal Enfield started their journey in India back in 1956, when the first Bullet was assembled under…
Last year, Royal Enfield’s factory manufactured 74,600 motorcycles, an increase in output by 40%: but such is the demand, that their motorcycles still come with a wait period of 9 to 12 months.To solve this problem, Royal Enfield is going to invest $30 million this fiscal in order to upgrade technology and double output. Mr Venki Padmanaban, CEO, Royal Enfield Motors, said, “Paradoxically, the more we make the more we appear to be falling behind. Only when the new plant kicks in fully next year will we be able to fully address the waiting periods.”
Royal Enfield motorcycles start at Rs 108,000 and go upto Rs 175,000. Competing with all kinds or motorcycles over the years, Royal Enfield motorcycles have stood their stead in the Indian two wheeler market. There are still diehard fans that approach the company to purchase a bike with an old engine but unfortunately they have to be turned away as the company stopped manufacturing these engines in 2010.
This year Bullet celebrates its 80th anniversary. Comparing Royal Enfield with Harley Davidson, Mr George Koshy, a 35 year old who owns 4 Royal Enfield Motorcycles, says, “If you want to ride for the heart, you ride the Bullet. If you want to ride for performance you ride the Harley.”
Images here show Brad Pitt riding a Bullet in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
