Interview with Anoop Prakash, MD Harley-Davidson India

March 2010

Punnoose Tharyan

CARNSTYLE

How old would a Harley rider be in India?

Worldwide Harley Davidson enthusiasts range from 18 year olds to 75 year olds. People in different shapes and sizes go for our vast range of bikes. That is the reason why we got such a wide range of bikes into India that would fit different profiles.

You just tied up with ICICI to provide loans to prospective buyers. Now does a Harley buyer need a loan for his bike?

Our goal is more riders and more Harleys on the roll. That’s what gets us going. So it makes sense to make our bikes as accessible as possible to every rider who is dreaming about owning a Harley and joining the global community. The tie-up with ICICI makes a lot of sense mainly because we are valuing the Harley Davidson rider and the profile of the rider. So now every Harley Davidson rider as got as much opportunity that he or she wishes for and not just the one they can afford.

Will India’s terrible road infrastructure be an impediment to your growth?

The cruiser bikes are the best bikes for India. They have the durability, the engineering, the comfort and they have the style. You have a relaxed riding position. You can slow down, you can speed up. You do not have to be on a forward leaning position as in other bikes. So I think we are in the perfect segment for Indian roads. The infrastructure is only getting better in India.

Is it going to be imports all the way for Harley-Davidson?

It will be CBUs all the way at least in the near term.

Any particular model you think will do rather well in India?

According to the response we have got, there will be a lot of Dynas and Sportsters in the city and a lot of V Rods and Fat Boys for those hitting the highways.

What about Harley accessories? Will you bringing these to India?

We will be bringing the full range of accessories into India. These would be jackets, helmets, gloves and all the riding gears. We would also be bringing in the casual apparel the riders wear. You will find jackets ranging from Rs 70000 and upwards.

What were you doing before you took up the Harley-Davidson assignment?

I was working with the Bush administration in Washington DC. I was the Deputy Chief of Staff at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. I have been with Mckinsey and before that I served in the US Marines. It is a great privilege for me to bring Harley Davidson into India.