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New Delhi: For decades, India was known mainly as a market for daily commuters and affordable motorcycles. Today, some of the world’s most iconic international motorcycle brands are owned, controlled, or heavily influenced by Indian manufacturers. However, the majority of people are not aware of it. Till now, they think these are foreign brands, while the case is different.
From historic British names to European performance brands, Indian companies have several foreign motorcycle brands under their roof. They have the iconic Royal Enfield, Jawa and sporty KTM. This doesn't stop there, India's wheeler industry is also following the same path, once a premium British car brand, Land Rover and Jaguar are owned by the Tata group of Indian origin.
Royal Enfield is often seen as an Indian success story, but its roots lie in the UK. The brand originated in England and later shifted operations to India. Today, Royal Enfield is fully owned by Eicher Motors, an Indian company, and India is its global production and decision-making base.
Over the last decade, Royal Enfield has transformed from a niche domestic player into a global mid-size motorcycle brand. Models like the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT are sold in Europe, the US and other developed markets.
In 2020, TVS Motor Company acquired Norton Motorcycles, one of Britain’s most prestigious motorcycle brands. Apart from Norton, TVS has manufactured the BMW F450 GS Adventure in India and launched it globally in 2026. TVS has since focused on stabilising the brand, improving quality, like giving smart features and cruise control from the 125cc and affordable bike segment.
Mahindra Group, through its subsidiary Classic Legends, owns multiple historic European motorcycle brands. One of the most notable is BSA, once the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, before it collapsed in 1973
Mahindra revived BSA with the new Gold Star, which is manufactured in India but sold primarily in the UK and European markets. The company also owns the rights to Jawa Yezdi, Czech brands that enjoy strong nostalgic value.
Bajaj Auto’s relationship with KTM is one of the strongest examples of Indian control in the global performance bike space. Bajaj owns nearly half of KTM’s parent company and plays a major role in manufacturing and strategy. Most of KTM’s small and mid-capacity motorcycles are produced in India and exported worldwide. The same platforms also support Husqvarna and GASGAS models.
