Harley-Davidson University Is Set To Debut In India
American cult bike manufacturer Harley-Davidson plans to open its skills centre,
which it calls the ‘Harley-Davidson University’, in India to train its employees and
dealership staff. Apart from technical training, the Harley-Davidson University
also offers a variety of courses ranging from management to finance and branding.
Currently, the US-based firm has three such universities in the Asia Pacific region.
It is planning to open the fourth here at the national capital.
“We will continue to invest in people and resources here (India). An example of
that is Harley-Davidson University which we are going to open here in Delhi in
next few weeks,” Harley-Davidson India and China MD Peter MacKenzie told PTI.
The upcoming entity would offer both technical and non-technical training to
its employees and dealership staff from across the country, he added.
“Our university caters only to the Harley-Davidson community,” MacKenzie said.
When asked what kind of education would be offered at the university, he said:
“There would be a technical course. Also, a variety of courses ranging from
management to finance and branding would be offered as part of the non-technical
training.”
MacKenzie, however, did not share details of the number of faculty or people that
will be employed at the institute.
Harley-Davidson has been present in India since 2009, selling a range of models,
including Street 750 and Street Rod. Its current portfolio comprises 14 models
which are retailed from 27 dealerships.
Commenting on the company’s long term strategy for India, MacKenzie said the
iconic bike maker wishes to be “more accessible and more relevant” in the market
at New Delhi.
With an aim to widen its reach, MacKenzie said the company is expanding its
dealer presence here.
“Besides we continue to bring great products to enable both current and future
customers to remain engaged with the brand,” he said.
He added that the Harley-Davidson brand continues to grow in India and as part
of future strategy the company is also focusing at non-urban areas to bring in more
customers.
The bike maker has come up with various initiatives to achieve its goal to connect
with prospective customers even in remote areas.
“Quite often there is large distance between the dealerships so we have a mobile
truck which is basically a mobile store which we can take to remote locations and
engage people to interact with the brand. We started doing it last year and
continue to do this year as well,” MacKenzie said.
Read More: http://indianexpress.com/article/business/harley-davidson-
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