In an interview, Royal Enfield President, Rudratej Singh said that the Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650 are expected to see a positive response in developing markets such as South East Asia and Latin America. "I believe that the Interceptor and the Continental GT are the first true global product launches for Royal Enfield ever. Therefore, the appeal will be global," Singh said.
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One of the markets that Royal Enfield is targeting is Brazil. However, entering the Brazilian market may take longer than expected. Reports from local media say that the homologation process in Brazil takes more than six months. Thus, the new Royal Enfield 650 duo is unlikely to reach Brazilian shores in 2019.
Apart from the Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650, there is another Royal Enfield motorcycle that is heading to Brazil, the 410cc Himalayan adventure tourer, which is scheduled to arrive by the end of 2019. With more products, Royal Enfield is expected to achieve better export sales. The Indian two-wheeler brand has managed to sell 700 units in Brazil since commencing its operations in April 2017 with a single dealer.
Royal Enfield posted year-on-year sales figure of 69,377 in August 2018, against 67,977 units in August 2018, registering a marginal growth of 2%. Export for the same period grew by 23 percent.
Meanwhile, the Indian launch of the Royal Enfield 650 duo, as told by Rudratej Singh, is by January 2019. The motorcycles will reportedly arrive at an ex-showroom price tag of INR 3 lakh.
Mechanical specifications on both the motorcycles will include a 648 cc parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, air-cooled, fuel injected engine that delivers 47 bhp of maximum power @ 7,100 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque @ 5,200 rpm. The motor will be mated to a six-speed gearbox and will feature Assist and Slipper clutch.
The 650 duo will come equipped with conventional telescopic front forks and twin coil-over gas-charged rear shock absorbers.
Also read: Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 spotted with accessories
Media rides of the new Continental GT 650 and Interceptor INT 650 are scheduled from September 22 to September 28 in California, USA.
[Source: AutomotiveBusiness.com]
