UM Motorcycles to enter Indian market; up to 400cc bikes on cards

The US based motorcycle brand UM is planning to enter the Indian two wheeler market with a range of bikes. Among all the bikes that the company sells globally, its popular cruiser range 'Renegade' will be the first to enter our shores, and will be priced between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh, claims a report by Financial Express. The report further says that the UM will have bikes of different capacities starting from 100cc to 400cc in India.

The company is in talks with two Delhi NCR based companies for a possible joint venture, to set up an assembly plant. The company aims to have 25 dealers across 15 cities, initially. The company has already set up its research and development centre in Delhi, which is developing two new engines for the Indian market. Of the two engines that the company is working on, there is a 350-cc, water-cooled V-twin engine, which will be the first in the market.

After the JV comes into effect, the company will start with a manufacturing capacity of up to 5,000 units a month, which will go to 15,000 a month in three years' time. The company might also export bikes from India to south-east Asian markets.

After the Renegade series, the company will bring in its premium bikes in 300cc and 400cc capacities. These premium bikes are expected to be priced at around Rs 2 lakh. Once the production starts in India, the company will aim to manufacture the bikes locally with 40-50 percent localisation, thus brining the costs down.