The much anticipated new range of ‘baby’ Triumph motorcycles and electric Husqvarna models are set to be built in a major new factory being built in India under the investment of Bajaj Auto.
The Indian giant - which vies with Hero MotoCorp for status as India’s biggest motorcycle company - is gearing up for an important 2022 as it puts the literal building blocks in place for production of several all-new global models being developed by its high-profile partners.
Bajaj currently holds a major share in Pierer Mobility, from which it contributes manufacturing facilities and platforms with KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS, retains a relationship with Kawasaki having previously owned a share in the Japanese firm, while it has recently signed an agreement with Triumph to develop a range of new models.
It is the latter that is understood to have led to Bajaj signing an agreement with the government of Maharashtra to build a fourth new factory close to its current headquarters in Pune, India.
Triumph’s deal with Bajaj will see it look to gain a greater foothold in the crucial Indian market with a range of more viable lower capacity models than its current line-up, which has the Trident 660 as its entry-point.
Though Triumph has remained coy as to which models it has in the pipeline, it has started they will range between 250-700cc, with a new ‘baby’ Trident expected to be the first fruits of its labour in the 300-400cc mark to rival the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Asia-only Honda H’ness.
Pierer is also set to benefit from the new plant with India Today reporting KTM’s forthcoming range of 500cc models will be built there.
More significant, however, is the plant will also be dedicated towards boosting Bajaj’s electric motorcycle production. As it stands, Bajaj offers the Chetak EV scooter, which in turn is set to form the basis of the new Husqvarna Vektorr electric scooter.
The Swedish firm’s first foray into the scooter segment, if the Vektorr is built in India it will be the first Husqvarna model to be manufactured outside of Europe.
Currently Husqvarna models are built in Austria alongside its KTM counterparts, but the Vektorr - and the forthcoming E-Pilen roadster - are being developed with both Europe and Asia in mind.
It is anticipated that KTM will also follow suit when it begins its shift towards electric production, though for now it appears motivated to allow Husqvarna to lead its electric charge.
