Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp are poised to expand their strategic partnership with plans to co-develop and manufacture a new range of entry-level performance motorcycles and cruisers in India for both domestic and international markets.
The collaboration, which currently includes the Harley-Davidson X440 and Hero Mavrick 440, is expected to introduce multiple new models during the current financial year as both companies seek to strengthen their presence in the premium motorcycle segment. Industry sources indicate that some of these upcoming products will also be exported to select emerging markets, marking a significant step in the alliance’s global ambitions.
The first of these launches is expected to be the Harley-Davidson Sprint, which is slated to debut later this year. Additional models are anticipated to follow over the coming months.
Responding to queries regarding future product development and export plans, Harley-Davidson stated, “Hero is an important partner, and we continue to work with them in support of our strategy to expand access to Harley-Davidson in key markets.” The company, however, did not provide specific details about upcoming products.
Hero MotoCorp CEO Harshavardhan Chitale confirmed that several new Harley-branded motorcycles are scheduled for launch this year, although he stopped short of confirming international market plans.
“The Hero-Harley collaboration does not restrict sales to India. If Harley identifies opportunities for these products in global markets, it can source them from Hero for overseas sales. That decision rests entirely with Harley,” Chitale said.
The expanded collaboration aligns with Harley-Davidson’s newly announced global growth strategy, dubbed ‘Back to Bricks’, which focuses on accelerating sales growth and increasing market share through a broader product portfolio. Under the plan, Harley-Davidson intends to launch 20 new models and variants based on existing platforms over the next three years, aiming to attract a wider customer base and lower entry barriers into the brand.
The strategy comes as Harley-Davidson seeks to reverse a prolonged decline in global sales. The company’s worldwide retail volumes reportedly fell by 40 percent between 2019 and 2025, impacting profitability and dealer performance across key markets.
On the manufacturing front, Hero MotoCorp is strengthening its premium motorcycle operations by dedicating its Neemrana facility in Rajasthan to premium bike production. The company is also rapidly expanding its premium retail footprint, with more than 130 premium-exclusive dealerships currently operational. Harley-Davidson products are expected to play a central role in this strategy.
Harley-Davidson had previously established a manufacturing facility in Bawal, Haryana, in 2011 but ceased production operations in India in 2020 due to low sales volumes and financial challenges stemming from high import duties. Later that year, the company entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with Hero MotoCorp, covering motorcycle sales, servicing, parts, accessories, riding gear, and future product development.
The partnership’s first jointly developed motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson X440, was launched at a starting price of ₹2.35 lakh (ex-showroom). Hero subsequently introduced its own version of the platform under the Mavrick 440 brand.
Together, the X440 and Mavrick 440 recorded sales of 14,375 units during the last financial year. With an estimated 11 percent market share in India’s 350cc-500cc motorcycle segment, Hero MotoCorp has emerged as the third-largest player in the category, behind Royal Enfield and Bajaj Auto.
The planned expansion of the Hero-Harley alliance underscores India’s growing importance as a development and manufacturing hub for premium motorcycles, while also opening new global growth opportunities for both companies.
