Harley
Owners Group (HOG) conducted nation-wide dark rides and rallies to support the
cause of several Harley Davidson dealers who they feel have been hit hard
because of the US company’s decision to close shop here in India and continue
its journey through a strategic alliance with Hero MotoCorp.
CLICK HERE TO READ: HARLEY-
DAVIDSON BEGINS NEW JOURNEY IN INDIA WITH HERO MOTOCORP
The
brand ambassadors of Harley Davidson took out the rallies against the American
giant’s decision to abruptly close operations in India. “The move to close
Harley Davidson operations would cause huge losses to dealers in India who have
invested crores of rupees in the business. The common consumers who have
brought the bike would lose out to riding experience they bought the bike for,”
said, Deepesh Tanwar, Ex HOG director who in support of the dealers resigned from
the directorship. The common consumers who have brought the bike would face
difficulties in getting spare parts and services, he added.
Meanwhile, Sajeev
Rajasekharan, Managing Director – Asia Emerging Markets & India,
Harley-Davidson noted in a press statement, “As we change our business model in
India, we are pleased to be continuing our journey in the country together with
Hero MotoCorp. We are working closely with Hero to ensure a smooth transition
for our riders. We are providing our riders with updates as available and have
assured them that Harley-Davidson motorcycle, parts and accessories and general
merchandise sales, as well as after-sale services, warranty and H.O.G.
activities will continue from January 2021 onwards.”
The
Harley Davidson Dealers Association along with Harley Owners Group (HOG)
supported by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations of India (FADA)
took out multi-city ‘Dark Rides’ in Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Lucknow,
Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Indore, Bhopal, Raipur, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai
and Guwahati
“These Dark Rides were organised to highlight
the concerns of the dealers being let down by Harley Davidson. Members of
Harley Owners Group, and many of the dealers as ambassadors of the cause
participated in the rides across 14 cities with a single demand that
compensation be offered in line with upholding the philosophy of brotherhood
that Harley was known to stand for,” said a rider.
The
HOG riders took to the streets to highlight their support and appeal to the
company that the true Brotherhood of Harley Davidson, be protected and the
dealers be given their due respect. In addition, the Harley Dealers were
protesting against unjust compensation structure and tie-up with Hero MotoCorp.
In
Chandigarh and Ludhiana, riders assembled at the Harley Davidson showrooms at
7.30 a.m. before ridding their Harley’s to Sarai Bharatgarh on the Ropar-Manali
Road. In Delhi, the riders rode from Red Fort Harley-Davidson to Manesar. In
Bhopal and Indore rider groups took the route to Crescent Waterpark and
Pithampur Lake, respectively.