India has been a market where even some of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers have not been able to make a mark in the market without a small displacement motorcycle in the line-up.
Now, according to a report by a website called BikeWale, there are rumours doing the rounds that Italian motorcycle maker Ducati might be planning to partner with Hero Motocorp to develop a small displacement 300cc motorcycle for India.
Similar partnerships have blossomed in recent years, with the likes of KTM, BMW and Triumph having partnered with Indian brands in order to develop a small-capacity motorcycles for Indian customers.
Triumph is also said to be making a small displacement bike in association with Bajaj. Harley Davidson has also announced that it will be making affordable bikes of around 500cc displacement for India. In doing this, the American manufacturer may also take the partnership route.
KTM has partnered with Bajaj for its small displacement Duke and RC motorcycles that have been successful within the country and abroad. BMW has partnered with TVS to develop the three recently launched 300cc motorcycles, the Apache RR 310 and BMW's G310 R and G310 GS.
Since all of these manufacturers are going the partnership route, the Ducati-Hero combine might just come through. Although these are just rumours and should be taken with a pinch of salt.
However, since Ducati, had committed to stay out of entry-level motorcycles segment, this could be big news, if true. Hero is being speculated upon as a likely partner because all the other Indian manufacturers already have associations with foreign brands.
If this partnership materialises, Ducati may use Hero Motocorp’s distribution network to sell its compact offerings in India. According to an XBhp report, Ducati may manage the design and R&D work, while Hero could produce the machines.
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