Royal Enfield marks 125 years, plans global expansion in middle-weight segment

Royal Enfield is marking its 125th year of continuous production with a clear long-term plan to expand motorcycling culture globally and build on the success it has created in India. CEO B Govindarajan said the company wants to replicate its domestic momentum in international markets while staying true to the brand’s core identity.Reflecting on the company’s long journey, Govind pointed to a key strategic decision taken years ago: focusing solely on the middle-weight motorcycle segment. “We had a choice at a point of time… We took a decision and we said that less is more,” he said. By concentrating on one category, the company scaled its production from about 4,000 motorcycles a month to nearly 4,000 a day. Last year, Royal Enfield sold one million units.

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Govind said a major reason for this growth is the brand’s close relationship with its riding community. He noted that both he and Siddharth Lal are active riders who engage directly with customers. “We ride with the community, learn from them, come back… design the motorcycles… ride, test it, take it back to the community,” he explained. This loop shapes product development and keeps the company connected to riders’ expectations.
This connection is most visible at Motoverse, Royal Enfield’s annual festival, which saw more than 35,000 visitors this year. The event celebrates motorcycles, custom builds, art, and music, and reinforces the brand’s role as an “evangelist” of motorcycling culture.Also Read | EXCLUSIVE: Royal Enfield’s first electric bike will launch at a very accessible price, says Eicher Motors MD

Looking ahead, Royal Enfield plans to strengthen its leadership in India, where it holds around 89% market share in the middle-weight category, and accelerate growth overseas. While its share internationally is about 9%, Govind said the opportunity remains large. “We see there’s a huge scope for us to create one more success story what we have created in India,” he said, pointing to the company’s ambition to establish itself as a global leader in middle-weight motorcycles.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video

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