The Iconic British motorcycle brand, Norton Motorcycles, is finally set to launch in India, 5 years after Indian motorcycle giant TVS Motor acquired the brand. The company recently revealed an estimated time frame for Norton bikes to launch in India to rival other retro classic bike brands such as Triumph, Royal Enfield, Jawa and Yezdi, among others.
Norton Motorcycles to come to India
Norton Motorcycles, the iconic British bike brand, has been a popular choice for neo-retro enthusiasts. Currently, the company offers 3 motorcycles in its portfolio – Commando 961, V4SV and V4CR. The prices for these motorbikes fall in the range of Rs 20 Lakh to Rs 50 Lakh.
Norton Motorcycles was acquired by TVS Motor around 5 years ago, and it has been highly anticipated on our shores since its acquisition. Now, TVS has confirmed the British brand will be introduced in India by the end of 2025 through the CBU route, especially now that the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to bring automotive tariffs from 100% to 10%.
With this historic FTA, both nations plan to boost trade and revenue. This will benefit British automakers too, as tariffs could be reduced to just 10% down from around 100%.
It is speculated that Norton Motorcycles is dividing its operations and is developing two new platforms, one of which will displace around 450cc, which will act as its most affordable offering, and the other one could be a middle-weight model with a displacement of 650cc.
While the small-capacity motorbikes are more likely to happen in the distant future, the launch of the Commando 961, V4CR, V4SV or all of them by 2025 is more likely to happen. These will be shipped into our market from Norton’s facility in Solihull, UK.
TVS Motor acquired Norton Motorcycles for around Rs 153 Cr, which looks like a small amount if we look at it in a long-term perspective.
