Enfield Cycle Company partnered with Madras Motors in India in forming Enfield of India, based in Chennai, and started assembling the 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in Madras. The first machines were assembled from components imported from England. Starting in 1957, Enfield of India acquired the machines necessary to build components in India, and by 1962 all components were made in India.
Royal Enfield produced bicycles at its Redditch factory until it closed in early 1967. The company’s last new bicycle was the ’Revelation’ small wheeler, which was released in 1965.Production of motorcycles ceased in 1970 and the original Redditch, Worcestershire-based company was dissolved in 1971.Enfield of India continued producing the ’Bullet’, and began branding its motorcycles ’Royal Enfield’ in 1999. A lawsuit over the use of ’Royal’, brought by trademark owner David Holder, was judged in favour of Enfield of India, who now produce motorcycles under the Royal Enfield name.
Royal Enfield motorcycles had been sold in India since 1949. In 1955, the Indian government looked for a suitable motorcycle for its police and army, for use patrolling the country’s border. The Bullet was chosen as the most suitable bike for the job. The Indian government ordered 800 350-cc model Bullets, an enormous order for the time.In 1955, the Redditch company joined Madras Motors in India in forming "Enfield India" to assemble, under licence, the 350 cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in Madras ( now called Chennai) . Under Indian law, Madras Motors owned the majority ( over 50% ) of shares in the company. In 1957 tooling equipment was sold to Enfield India so that they could manufacture components.
Enfield of India continued producing the ’Bullet’ long after the UK factory’s bankruptcy, and changed its branding to ’Royal Enfield’ in 1999. The ’Royal Enfield’ name and rights had been purchased by Matt Holder of Aerco Jigs and Tools, at the bankruptcy sale in 1967.The business passed on to his son, David Holder, of the Velocette Motorcycle Company of Birmingham, UK. The Holder family has produced spares for Royal Enfield motorcycles continuously from 1967 through to the present, but did not trade under the Royal Enfield name.While David Holder objected to the use of ’Royal Enfield’ by Enfield of India, a UK court ruled in favour of the Indian company, who have now assumed the trademark, and produce motorcycles as Royal Enfield.