TVS BMW sportsbike has 100% engineering done by BMW Motorrad

That is one of the many reasons why BMW Motorrad selected TVS Motor Company as their partner. Yes, it was not an easy decision. BMW Motorrad were looking for a partner with whom they can share technical know-how, especially in the developing countries, where the demand is growing exponentially.

Finally, after years of search, they found the right partner in TVS Motor Company, India’s third largest two wheeler manufacturer, after Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India. The partnership was officially announced in April 2013, and is expected to deliver their first product later this year.

Recently, Stephan Schaller, President, BMW Motorrad spoke with Australian Motorcycle News. Below is an excerpt from that interview, mainly focusing on the bit where they talk about TVS BMW sportsbike and India plans.

Speaking about the deal, Schaller says that it is a win win situation for both BMW Motorrad and TVS. The products which will be developed under this new partnership, will have 100% engineering from BMW Motorrad, but the cost-effective local manufacturing and sourcing of parts will be done by TVC, giving the partnership an edge. The end result will be state of the art engineered motorcycles, which will be priced at highly competitive rates.

So how is this partnership different what Bajaj and KTM have? Schaller says that what BMW Motorrad and TVS have is more of a cooperation, as there is no financial implication. Both, TVS and BMW have a mutual interest to develop cost effective modern bikes. Also, there are no plans of buying stakes in TVS Motor Company.

The new TVS BMW sportsbike, which will be the first of the many new products under the umbrella; is powered by a single cylinder under 500 cc engine. As BMW will be sharing technical know-how, is it possible TVS might use the same to develop their own motorcycles? Yes, they can produce motorcycles using the same platform and engine as that of BMW, upto a certain extent.

You can read the full interview at Ultimate Motorcycling