Royal Enfield may set up assembly plant in South East Asia

- Optimistic about Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia markets

- Might set up assembly plant in one of these markets

- The  upcoming 650s will help the company beget a global product to its name

Royal Enfield might set up a plant in South East Asia if the market responds well to its bikes. This news was confirmed by Siddharth Lal, CEO, Royal Enfield. 

The company plans to expand its business aggressively in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. This move is in keeping with Royal Enfield’s expressed confidence in its projected performance in Thailand and Vietnam markets. Depending on the market demand, the Chennai-based manufacturer will look at contract manufacturing for Thailand with kits exported from India. This modus operandi will, in fact, require less investment. It will also consider a similar set-up for Vietnam.

“We are extremely bullish on Thailand and Indonesia. We have seen very good traction for Royal Enfield bikes in these market. We will have market companies with our own employees working there, where distribution will be done by us but the dealers will be local. The idea is that it should be followed by local assembly but we are looking at different options," said Siddharth Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher Motors.

Royal Enfield has been doing really well in India. In fact, its international business has been registering decent growth as well, which has made the company divert considerable focus to such markets. Its upcoming 650cc motorcycles, the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT will see them grow not just in India, but world¬wide too.