As you all know, I just spent a full day at the new Indian Motorcycle factory. I will start posting tomorrow all what I learned about the company, the executive team, the business plan and the new models. On your behalf, I asked a lot of questions and will publish the answers. I came back with very positive thoughts about the way Chairman Stephen Julius and his team intend to re-launch this iconic brand. Before leaving the factory, I suggested to him to make a public statement in my Blog to explain why his company has been silent until now. Here it is.
“Indian Motorcycle was delighted to have Mr. Cyril Huze tour our facility today. Cyril thought it would be a good idea for me to address, in a general way, certain issues which many of you have raised. Since buying the company in July 2004, we have purposely kept a low profile and said little about our plan and our progress. The reason for this is that we felt it was more important to speak with the results of our labor rather than to generate a lot of media and consumer hype about work yet to be done. To that end, Indian Motorcycle has been very busy working to bring to market a high quality, engineered Indian Chief with a fuel injected 105 cid PowerPlus engine. For the last 24 months, our engineering staff of 23 dedicated professionals has been focused on engineering, testing and validation. The product is now in the final product testing and validation stage of delivery. We are committed to doing this work in a disciplined way to ensure that the bike we bring to market is worthy of the brand name which brought America its first production motorcycle. We will not launch until we have satisfied ourselves that we have achieved this objective. That is why we are able to offer a two year warranty on the 2009 Chief.
The official market launch date will be set as soon as testing is complete. The launch date will coincide with the opening of Indian’s first 11,500 square foot flagship retail store near Charlotte, NC. The store will retail not only motorcycles but also parts and accessories, apparel, gifts and collectibles. We will be inviting all Indian Motorcycle enthusiasts and fans to the launch. It will also be our way to thank you for your patience and support.
It is the intention of the company to create a dealer network not only in the USA, but internationally. Initially we are focusing on the top 50 markets in the USA. We are more interested in building low volumes of quality product than mass production. This is a long term venture, a marathon and not a sprint. We intend to grow the business slowly and, we hope, profitably, so that we can reinvest in continued design and development of new products.
In the next two weeks we will be publishing detailed specifications and photographs of the 2009 Indian Chief on our website. I encourage you to follow our progress on the Indian Motorcycle Website.
Although economic conditions are generally depressed in the power sports business, we are optimistic that our premium product will find a ready market. Some have asked why we expect to succeed where others have failed. We have done our homework carefully and we intend to grow the business slowly; we have a great team; we have a proven management track record in rebuilding heritage brands; and we have a beautiful, quality product. Every time I see our bike on the factory floor, I get emotional and I think many of you will be equally excited.
I hope you will understand that, given my workload, I will not be able to respond to individual questions which may result from this posting. However, feel free to direct questions to info@indianmotorcycle.com". Regards. Stephen Julius Chairman Indian Motorcycle Company, 116 Battleground Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.
Cyril. I am very impatient to know what you have to say. There are so many rumors going on. I believe in the objectivity of your thoughts. The chairman statement is a positive step, but not enough. We need a third party professional opinion on what is going on with these new people. Successive failures hurt the brand. I wish them success, but I need to hear much more..
Launch date? Models? Prices?
It’s a great introduction and teaser, but let’s see what Cyril has to say.
Launch date is still an open item. The sense I get from what I can glean of the factory position is that there will be a convergence of both the opening of the factory dealership in NC and the release for sale of the final ’09 product. One may be complete before the other but neither will be made available until they are both complete.
The roll out officially is Sturgis, at least that is what is being stated in the motorcycle press, although I haven’t heard that from the horses mouth.
The Chief is the model.
Various trim levels and options.
Base model
Roadmaster
Vintage
As far as price, “Although economic conditions are generally depressed in the power sports business, we are optimistic that our premium product will find a ready market” is the quote of record.
In depressed economic times if you were selling a “premium” product, what segment of the buying public do you think you would target?
It appears that something good must be going on there
“I came back with very positive thoughts about the way Chairman Stephen Julius and his team intend to re-launch this iconic brand.”
Can’t wait to hear what he is having “positive thoughts” over.
Is David Schwam part of Indian Motorcycles?
I could be a client. Only if they are in it for the long term. After Titan, AIH, we don’t need more disgruntled clients and employees and more bad press on the industry. The facts, Cyril.
Let’s trust Cyril until he explains everything about Indian..
Dizzle,
David is with Saxon Motorcycles in AZ. Last I knew, he is the new President after doing a stint with Vengence in CA.
Mark Moses –
One more time. Good luck Indian. Be back soon.
They will succeed if they have Springfield memory and today’s market vision.
I have a lovely red pencil box.
Why do people still think that Indian can’t come back? If the new owners made their homework, have capital, are not arrogant and offer a good and different product line, why not? I think that the issue is the economy. Is it better now because there is less competition and few other choices?.
My bookie says “they ain’t goin to make it” and I tend to agree
Hey, Rodent, what kind of odds ya gettin ?
Not for nothing, but why should anything Cyril has to say make any difference.
You either believe Indian is happening or you don’t.
If you haven’t figured out by now that IMI is in business to build motorcycles, then it doesn’t really matter what Cyril says.
Power Stroke. You don’t need to tell us that Indian is in the business of selling motorcycles. We already know! I understand that Cyril is one of the few who visited the new Indian. I guess we are all interested by what he saw and heard. And maybe, if many like him feel that they can succeed, it will have a positive influence on the new launch.
I want in! peace
Hey Rodent, hook me up for a piece of that action LOL
Good Luck and Best Wishes to Stellican and their new venture called Indian Motorcycles. Julius has been writing checks and spending money on this project and that takes balls given the current motorcycle market. Hats off to Stellican!
Most of us cannot wait to see a test drive report on the new Chief. Wish it had right side drive and a 200 rear tire. Calling the tow truck when the belt drive fails can be a bummer. Wonder why those new engineers stayed with the LSD?
This bike seems to be aimed at the high end for those doctors and lawyers
who are not buying overdesigned, hard to ride, stay in the garage and sell them a year from now for half what they paid, barges anymore.
Who is Mr Julius? Does he drive a Lexus to work
and get his nails done, what make him an expert on what
will bring back Indian?
Sadly I think rodents prediction will win place and show.
Genodeluxe. First you don’t like high end bikes, but you call yourself Geno Deluxe? You know what means Deluxe? Funny. Second, I think that a man who is excelling at understanding markets, whatever they are, is much better than a “biker” who has no marketing skills and who spend investors money. There is nothing certain in business, but like Rodent, you should be careful with what your bookie is saying. I think that this time the odds are against you. Don’t bet your bike on a new failure. One day, you will thank me. I hope..
I had a couple of Friends buy Indian bikes Brand new in 2001 when they tried to make a comeback. It was nothing but headaches and bad customer service from the start. Headlights falling off,forks constantly leaking,motor problems,etc. You couldnt give away an Indian to any of my friends! they finally woke up and have been riding Harleys ever since!
Hum, lets see. We have somebody who is putting up the funds for research and development for a couple of years; hire a team to develop every aspect of the company and then launch when they feel the bike is ready. I don’t recall too many companies jumping at the chance to build anything in America (NAFTA). I’ am sure the people in Kings Mountain will appreciate the revenue generated. Yes, there were some failures in the past. Lets see, hum AMF, government assistance. If you dwell on the past how can we get to the future. I’m not a doctor or lawyer but I’m willing to buy one of these bikes after I do my research. Like anyone should. Thanks!! Indian Motorcycle Company for bringing back an American company.
I’m looking for a bagger next. Preferably one with a ferring. Like an ultra or I really want a road glide. Does any one think its a good idea for indian to come out with something or is it just not their style. The new chief looks awesome cant wait to ride one.
I wish them the best,as a Harley rider some good old Harley -Indian rivalry can t be bad for the sport . It would be nice to see Indians pretending to be Indians instead of Kawasakis pretending to be Indians.
Информации, считаю, и так вполне достаточно, чтобы сделать вывод, как не надо делать.