Royal Enfield: The First True 'Global' Indian Brand?

[Gessler]

Ever since their new-generation 650cc twins released in 2018, Royal Enfield (RE)'s reputation & sales figures has taken off in the international markets. So much so that even a platform which was never 'meant' for an international customer base like the preceding Himalayan ADV is racking up respectable sales & a well-earned reputation for ruggedness & affordability.


So much so that the Interceptor even climbed to the top of the sales charts in the UK:

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 becomes UK’s top-selling bike

Royal Enfield's 650 formula has been a success not only in India, but other global markets as well.

auto.hindustantimes.com

And recently in New Zealand as well:

Royal Enfield becomes top-selling mid-size bike brand in New Zealand

Royal Enfield's popularity started to grow on a global scale with the launch of the 650 twins - Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650 - 2018.

www.financialexpress.com

While it would be imprudent to say RE has surpassed the likes of BMW Motorrad or the Japanese giants when it comes to dominating sales charts overall (each year RE only barely manages to stay in the Top 10 brands in UK over cumulative sales of all models; to be expected though considering RE caters to only a small section of the market unlike the companies mentioned above) - what CAN be stated quite assuredly is that RE has for sure learnt how to tap into market niches, use them to expand their foothold to make a name for themselves, and emerge as a mainstream international brand in doing so.


The current RE management certainly has their sights set on the same:

Royal Enfield aims to become a $5 billion global company: Report

Royal Enfield is targeting a 10 per cent market share in mid-size bikes in the export market

www.business-standard.com

Even the smaller-displacement models which otherwise were not expected to get that much of a response in developed markets (like the new Meteor) are outperforming in bookings & sales.


We can comfortably say that the days of RE being nothing but a cult favourite that manufactures classic designs like the Bullet using the same tooling & machinery from their British days back in the 50s, are effectively over...and they were over for a long time, the replacement of the old 350UCE machines with the new 350 J-platform across the board would be the last nail in the coffin of old RE, and the last brick in finishing the construction of new RE. An RE that stands for quality & immense value.


With a slew of new models around the corner (including expansion of the 650 twin family to include cruiser & ADV members) and an expanding international dealer network, this bull run of RE is not going to stop any time soon. I would say with confidence that RE may be the first true global brand that India has produced - that too in a highly competitive and established industry like automobiles. At the very least - this is a story that deserves to be followed.


@Haldilal @COLDHEARTED AVIATOR @Indx TechStyle​

 

[Haldilal]

View attachment 102352

Ever since their new-generation 650cc twins released in 2018, Royal Enfield (RE)'s reputation & sales figures has taken off in the international markets. So much so that even a platform which was never 'meant' for an international customer base like the preceding Himalayan ADV is racking up respectable sales & a well-earned reputation for ruggedness & affordability.


So much so that the Interceptor even climbed to the top of the sales charts in the UK:

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 becomes UK’s top-selling bike

Royal Enfield's 650 formula has been a success not only in India, but other global markets as well.

auto.hindustantimes.com

And recently in New Zealand as well:

Royal Enfield becomes top-selling mid-size bike brand in New Zealand

Royal Enfield's popularity started to grow on a global scale with the launch of the 650 twins - Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650 - 2018.

www.financialexpress.com

While it would be imprudent to say RE has surpassed the likes of BMW Motorrad or the Japanese giants when it comes to dominating sales charts overall (each year RE only barely manages to stay in the Top 10 brands in UK over cumulative sales of all models; to be expected though considering RE caters to only a small section of the market unlike the companies mentioned above) - what CAN be stated quite assuredly is that RE has for sure learnt how to tap into market niches, use them to expand their foothold to make a name for themselves, and emerge as a mainstream international brand in doing so.


The current RE management certainly has their sights set on the same:

Royal Enfield aims to become a $5 billion global company: Report

Royal Enfield is targeting a 10 per cent market share in mid-size bikes in the export market

www.business-standard.com

Even the smaller-displacement models which otherwise were not expected to get that much of a response in developed markets (like the new Meteor) are outperforming in bookings & sales.


We can comfortably say that the days of RE being nothing but a cult favourite that manufactures classic designs like the Bullet using the same tooling & machinery from their British days back in the 50s, are effectively over...and they were over for a long time, the replacement of the old 350UCE machines with the new 350 J-platform across the board would be the last nail in the coffin of old RE, and the last brick in finishing the construction of new RE. An RE that stands for quality & immense value.


With a slew of new models around the corner (including expansion of the 650 twin family to include cruiser & ADV members) and an expanding international dealer network, this bull run of RE is not going to stop any time soon. I would say with confidence that RE may be the first true global brand that India has produced - that too in a highly competitive and established industry like automobiles. At the very least - this is a story that deserves to be followed.


@Haldilal @COLDHEARTED AVIATOR @Indx TechStyle​

Ya'll Nibbiars 14 new RE models are coming. From 150 cc to 859 cc.

 

[Stalingrad]

RE overall is a good brand and Sid Lal did great with finding the right team who could re-establish the marque in domestic market and beyond.
No cons mostly, though they have to seriously work on improving the quality of their spares here. The quality of spares in UK were much better as observed by a relative of mine. RE has to work as per customer reviews like uprating the torque of Himalayan etc etc.

Such a global reputation is a must for India which in the form of Mahindra, Bajaj etc have seen success in S.America, African markets yet failed to be market leaders in the respective regions.
Chinese are fast filling in, but everyone knows the kinda trash they sell.

Overall as an Indian I am proud of their reputation globally.

 

[Gessler]

Ya'll Nibbiars 14 new RE models are coming. From 150 cc to 859 cc.

Any info about the 859?

If you're talking about the KX V-twin that's only a concept and likely won't ever see production.

 

[Haldilal]

Any info about the 859?

If you're talking about the KX V-twin that's only a concept and likely won't ever see production.

Ya'll Nibbiars they are going make it to the production aimed at the international market as most of the buyers are asking beyond 650 cc. The twins were successful and more reliable but more powerful motorcycle are needed.

 

[SKC]

Ya'll Nibbiars 14 new RE models are coming. From 150 cc to 859 cc.

1 new bike each quarter from now on till 2025.

 

[SKC]

Any info about the 859?

If you're talking about the KX V-twin that's only a concept and likely won't ever see production.

This was only concept model & not a candidate for production.

 

[SKC]

Ya'll Nibbiars they are going make it to the production aimed at the international market as most of the buyers are asking beyond 650 cc. The twins were successful and more reliable but more powerful motorcycle are needed.

They are not going above 650cc anytime soon.
RE hit a sweet spot between sales and performance with the 650cc platform.
They are currently working on the 650cc version of Himalayan type bike.

 

[Haldilal]

This was only concept model & not a candidate for production.

Ya'll Nibbiars kuch ata pata nahi aur post kar dala. It's going to make to the production a similar model.

 

[Haldilal]

They are not going above 650cc anytime soon.
RE hit a sweet spot between sales and performance with the 650cc platform.
They are currently working on the 650cc version of Himalayan type bike.

Ya'll Nibbiars phir se post kat dala without going into details thera kya hoga?.

 

[SKC]

Ya'll Nibbiars kuch ata pata nahi aur post kar dala. It's going to make to the production a similar model.

 

[Haldilal]

View attachment 102394

Ya'll Nibbiars @SKC Nibba be like.

 

[SKC]

T

Ya'll Nibbiars @SKC Nibba be like.

View attachment 102397

umhare jitne to nahi!
humara meme humme hi chep rahe ho

 

[Gessler]

Ya'll Nibbiars phir se post kat dala without going into details thera kya hoga?.

View attachment 102392

Bhai phir tum toh batao details

Kisne bola hai ki 850cc launch hoga

 

[Haldilal]

Ya'll Nibbiars

Royal Enfield KX Bobber prototype spotted testing in India

Royal Enfield may launch a new cruiser motorbike in 2021, based on its KX concept model showcased at the EICMA 2018

www.newsbytesapp.com

 

[Gessler]

Ya'll Nibbiars

Royal Enfield KX Bobber prototype spotted testing in India

Royal Enfield may launch a new cruiser motorbike in 2021, based on its KX concept model showcased at the EICMA 2018

www.newsbytesapp.com

Arey bhai that's the 650 cruiser I was talking about! It's called Shotgun.

(including expansion of the 650 twin family to include cruiser & ADV members)

People were using the name "KX" erroneously until the images of RE registering Shotgun name came out. This bike is a 648cc parallel twin just like the Interceptor & ConGT, its nothing like the KX concept which was a 838cc V-twin, entirely different engines & platforms.

P.S. - and the KX concept itself was a spur-of-the-moment artwork project envisioned by the guys at RE's UK design centre, it was never indicative of an upcoming RE motorcycle.

EICMA 2018: Royal Enfield KX Concept is a pure design study, NOT headed for production - Overdrive

The Royal Enfield 838cc V-Twin KX Concept pays a homage to the cult classic of the 30s in a modern manner. - Overdrive

www.overdrive.in

 

[Haldilal]

Arey bhai that's the 650 cruiser I was talking about! It's called Shotgun.





People were using the name "KX" erroneously until the images of RE registering Shotgun name came out. This bike is a 648cc parallel twin just like the Interceptor & ConGT, its nothing like the KX concept which was a 838cc V-twin, entirely different engines & platforms.

P.S. - and the KX concept itself was a spur-of-the-moment artwork project envisioned by the guys at RE's UK design centre, it was never indicative of an upcoming RE motorcycle.

EICMA 2018: Royal Enfield KX Concept is a pure design study, NOT headed for production - Overdrive

The Royal Enfield 838cc V-Twin KX Concept pays a homage to the cult classic of the 30s in a modern manner. - Overdrive

www.overdrive.in

Ya'll Nibbiars wrong link post kar de.

 

[Haldilal]

Ya'll Nibbiars

From an Indian perspective I agree, the current power plants serve the domestic market needs. Yet, considering how REs global business is growing there is a need for more variants. What RE needs in my opinion are:

- 1 cyl, 500cc, 6 speed, approx 30hp
The Himalyan desperately needs this. The offroader has a lot of appeal globally. An affordable bike that can be used without the worry of expensive damage. But the moment it sees open roads the Himalyan struggles to keep up with regular traffic. A 50%power hiike with an extra cog will resolve this.

Also the new 350 range makes a brilliant city bike, but I am sure International buyers who also plan to ride the bike on highways would find the current specs inadequate and would upgrade to the 500.

-2 cyl, 800cc,6 speed, approx 60hp

A long distance cruiser will need this sort of grunt. These bikes always need that 20% power in reserve when riding on open roads.

I am sure RE knows this much better than any of us. They take a lot of feedback from their dealers and have invested a lot in their global operations.

Thus I have a feeling there's more they have up their sleeve.

Shortbread.

 

[armyofhind]

They are not going above 650cc anytime soon.
RE hit a sweet spot between sales and performance with the 650cc platform.
They are currently working on the 650cc version of Himalayan type bike.

Nothing of that sort is happening.

The new Himalayan will be an up-engined variant, but still a single.

 

[Haldilal]

Nothing of that sort is happening.

The new Himalayan will be an up-engined variant, but still a single.

Ya'll Nibbiars I also thought when they started working on a new engine for the Himalayas.