Harley Davidson is not forming a strategic partnership with Hero MotoCorp

According to a report Harley Davidson is not forming a strategic partnership with Hero MotoCorp for the Asian markets, including India.

Yesterday, Harley Davidson announced its massive strategy update which includes two new modular platforms, four new engines (500 cc to 1250 cc), up to 21 new models by 2022 and a new premium entry-level small-displacement motorcycle (250 cc to 500 cc) for the Indian and Asian markets built and retailed in an alliance with a regional player. The small-displacement bike will sit below the Harley Davidson Street 750.

The report further states that, with Hero MotoCorp out of the fray, the only possible ‘strategic partnership’ could be with Mahindra Two-wheelers as Bajaj Auto already has a tie-up with Triumph and KTM, while TVS Motor Company has a long-term agreement with BMW Motorrad. That said, Mahindra is working on bringing back the Jawa brand and the two-wheeler division is still figuring its way in the Indian market. The second possibility is that the strategic partner in Asia wouldn’t be an Indian company.

The new 250-500 cc motorcycle from Harley Davidson will compete with the Royal Enfield Classic 350/500, the upcoming Triumph 500 cc (speculated) motorcycle, the new Jawa bike, and the Kawasaki Estrella 250 in the Asian markets. Harley Davidson hasn’t revealed the launch timeframe for the new small-displacement motorcycle.

Separately, the company has revealed that it will launch three new motorcycles in 2020, which includes the Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 (its first adventure tourer), the Harley Davidson Streetfighter 975 and the Custom 1250. Ahead of that, the company will launch the Harley Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle in the US and European markets in August 2019, while more electric bikes will follow by 2022

The company will include products like a scrambler, flat tracker, and fully-faired Supersport bikes in its portfolio by 2022. It will continue to develop technologically-advanced and improved touring and cruiser motorcycles in the global markets to keep the existing customers engaged. Furthermore, there will be a focus on expanding the retail footprint across the world, while also forming strategic tie-ups with global e-commerce firms.

Mahindra U321 name announcement on July 31.

Mahindra today announced that it will reveal the name of its latest product, the MPV which is known by its codename 'U321', on July 31. The name and information about the vehicle will be announced by Mahindra MD Pawan Goenka at a press conference to be held in Mumbai. According to rumours, the U321 is expected to get an Indian language name

Name aside, the Mahindra U321 is the brand’s first passenger vehicle to be developed at Mahindra’s North American Technical Center. The MPV will also debut Mahindra’s new 1.6-liter diesel engine which is expected to develop around 125 hp and 320 Nm of torque and will be paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Given that the brand wants its portfolio to be petrol-ready by April 2020, a petrol variant of the U321 can be expected at a later date.

Mahindra is likely to offer the U321 in seven- and eight-seat configurations, with features such as projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and automatic climate control. Given the positioning of the U321 as a more premium product than the Mahindra Xylo, expect safety features like ABS and dual front airbags to be standard across variants

The Mahindra U321 will be assembled at Mahindra's Nasik production facility, and its market launch is expected in September this year. It will rival the Renault Lodgy and the forthcoming second-gen Maruti Ertiga (which is also expected to launch around that period).

Hyundai Creta rival VW T-Cross confirmed for India.

Volkswagen will present the smallest member of its SUV range, VW T-Cross, in the autumn of 2018. A report by Automotive News Canada confirms that the VW T-Cross will be launched in the Indian market as well.

Andreas Krueger, who heads the small car product line for Volkswagen AG, told Automotive news -

We're going worldwide with this, starting in Europe, then South America, both Chinese joint ventures and finally India.

Speculation surrounding the launch of the VW T-Cross has been doing the rounds since October 2016. The first MQB A0 IN-based products are slated to arrive only in 2021, which means that the potential Hyundai Creta rival isn't expected to reach us at least for the next three years. It will be closely related to Skoda's SUV for India that will be unveiled in the second half of 2020.

The VW T-Cross for global markets including Europe, South America, and China is based on the MQB A0 architecture that underpins the Mk6 VW Polo as well. The Euro-spec model is 4.10 m long and features a sliding rear seat. It will have two petrol engine options - 1.0 L TSI petrol in 95 hp and 115 hp guises, and 1.5 L TSI with 150 hp. Certain markets will get a 1.6 L TDI diesel as well.

The VW T-Cross for the India market will be underpinned by a heavily localised version of the MQB A0 called MQB A0 IN. It will use a 1.0 L TSI petrol engine, which VW intends to localise. There will be no diesel variant on offer as the 1.5 L TDI is set to bow out by 2020 following the implementation of BSVI norms. Volkswagen is likely to lengthen the wheelbase and adapt the exterior and interior to suit the Indian market better.

The Volkswagen Group has confirmed that it, along with Skoda, will launch four products in Indiastarting from 2021. The first one will be a Skoda SUV, followed by the Rapid's successor. Expect VW to bring mechanical cousins of both products with the T-Cross arriving first, followed by the new VW Vento.

The VW T-Cross is expected to arrive as a rival to the Hyundai Creta. Prices are expected to fall in the INR 10-15 lakhs (ex-showroom) bracket.