How do you feel about a flock of baby Triumphs?
Despite all the talking, promises, and camaraderie, people from both firms have yet to sign their names on the dotted line—something that should take place in the upcoming months. The lack of any formal documents confirming their partnership hasn’t kept the two manufacturers from starting a list of all the great things they wish to accomplish.
The models resulting from
these business agreements are usually destined to develop the booming
Asian motorcycle market; there’s seldom talk of exporting them to the
U.S. We can speculate and hope for them to come our way but few
companies step forward and confirm it as a sure thing. For Triumph and
Bajaj, however, exports are part of the master plan.
As
reported by Indian Autos Blog, the Bajaj Auto Managing Director took
the launch of the brand's first electric scooter as an opportunity to
discuss the partnership. In fact, Rajiv Bajaj told the press that Bajaj
and Triumph will develop new 400 to 800cc models and that these
motorcycles will be exported to Europe and to the United States.
Rajiv
Bajaj explained that in 2018, the company exported 40% of its
production, or 2 million vehicles out of the 5 million it produced. With
such important numbers, it’s no surprise that even with the upcoming
Bajaj-Triumph models, selling abroad is part of the strategy.
We can’t help but picture a Bonneville 400, or even a baby Thruxton. Now, neither can you.
The “smallest” Triumphs currently available in the British lineup are the Triples and the Daytona
with their 765cc three-pot engine. The 765 might not remain alone in
the mid-range lineup for much longer, however. In fact, it looks like
the manufacturer has every intention of sharing the fruits of its
partnership with Bajaj with us.
Triumph
isn’t the first Western company to pair up with an Asian counterpart to
join forces in the development and production of small-displacement
motorcycles—something Asian manufacturers know a thing or ten about. The
Triumph and Bajaj was one of the earliest ones to be announced, back in 2017.
Despite all the talking, promises, and camaraderie, people from both firms have yet to sign their names on the dotted line—something that should take place in the upcoming months. The lack of any formal documents confirming their partnership hasn’t kept the two manufacturers from starting a list of all the great things they wish to accomplish.
