UM Motorcycles and Lohia Auto form a joint venture in India
Remember UM Motorcycles, the US-based company that displayed its motorcycles and expressed its intention to come to India at the Auto Expo 2014? Well, the plans never really materialised. However now, instead of the Renegade range of motorcycles showcased at the expo, UM is looking at building cruisers on an all-new platform. Market research, it seems, has UM believing that instead of the Renegade, new cruisers will be more feasible in the Indian market.
UM Motorcycles will be partnering with Indian electric scooter maker Lohia Auto and together they're going to invest around Rs 120 crores into the new 50-50 venture.
UM will start by offering only "affordable cruisers" from Lohia's manufacturing facility in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, which has an annual capacity of 1 lakh units. The production is set to begin late 2015. As much as 70 per cent localisation is what the company is aiming for to achieve this goal.
UM is also looking to add touring and sports motorcycles to their lineup in the future. Plans for making India as an export hub are in the talks too.
