Royal Enfield could consider assembling the 650 twins in Brazil or Thailand, according to a report from DNA India.
Locally assembling the Royal Enfield 650 twins helps lower the tariff. Unlike the USA, some of Royal Enfield’s global markets attract higher import duties on vehicles. Speaking about the possibility of overseas local assembly, Siddhartha Lal - MD & CEO, Eicher Motors (Royal Enfield’s parent company), said:
It is not needed. We can make world-class products, and we don't need to go anywhere else for it. The only reason we may eventually end up doing assembly in Brazil or in Thailand is from the tax perspective. But that will also be minimised to completely knocked-down (CKD) type. We are studying different options, but the intent is as much as possible to have our production to be in Chennai, India.
Royal Enfield has already launched the 650 twins in the UK, USA, Europe and Australia. The motorcycles are set to reach more international markets including New Zealand in the coming months. The company is focusing on making the twins successful, while more models will spawn from the 650 platform only after 2020.
The Royal Enfield 650 twins are identical in its construction, yet entirely different in its personalities. While the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a modern-retro roadster, the Continental GT 650 is a neo-classic café racer. Most of the parts like engine, suspension, frame, wheels etc. are shared.
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 features a committed riding position with its rear-set footpegs, clip-on handlebars and the long tear-drop fuel tank. The Interceptor 650 features an upright riding posture as a result of the wide handlebar and the centre-set footpegs. The INT 650 comes with a round fuel tank.
Also Read: Royal Enfield aims to become a global company with the 650 motorcycles - Report
The Royal Enfield 650 twins employ an all-new 648cc, 8-valve, parallel-twin, fuel injected engine that pumps out a maximum power of 47 bhp at 7,100 rpm along with a peak torque of 52 Nm at 5,250 rpm. A six-speed transmission works in sync with the twin-cylinder motor. An assist and slipper clutch system is standard.
[Source: DNAIndia.com]
