Harley-Davidson will scale up exports of the Street 500 and 750 motorcycles to Europe and Asia this year from its India factory, according to Anoop Prakash, Managing Director.

The Street 500 will exclusively be for exports. The decision not to sell the model in India is based on market feedback, he said.

The company started initial exports of the Street 500 and 750 to Europe last year. But volumes will rise this year, and by 2015-end, the models “will be available in all the markets we are in”. They will be exported to the company’s major markets in the Asia Pacific, including Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, Australia and Japan, Prakash said.

Asia Pacific, West Asia and Latin America are among the largest growing markets for Harley-Davidson.

Speaking to BusinessLine at the start of the India Bike Week celebrations, which also marks the fifth anniversary of Harley Davidson’s presence in India, Prakash said the Street 750 has emerged as the market leader in the premium segment, accounting for its largest volume. Harley has sold over 8,000 bikes across its entire range and the sales trend will be in the high double digits for the next few years, he estimates.

Last year, sales were in double digits across segments. Harley offers a range of 12 models with eight assembled at the unit in Bawal, Haryana.

Asked about the Union Budget, the MD said he hopes the Budget would announce the roll-out of goods and services tax and some reduction in excise duty. Anything that helps bring down costs will be welcome, Prakash said.

(The writer is in Goa at the invitation of Harley-Davidson.)

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