The Interceptor 650 becomes the highest selling motorcycle in the middleweight segment
● The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the best-selling motorcycle in the UK for June 2020 (in the more than 125cc category)
● The Interceptor 650 is the highest-selling motorcycle in the UK in the middleweight segment for the last one year (250cc – 750cc; June 2019 to June 2020)
● The Royal Enfield Himalayan is among the Top 5 highest selling motorcycles in the UK in the middleweight segment for the last one year (June 2019 to June 2020)
Chennai, 30 July 2020: Continuing to dominate the middleweight motorcycling segment (250cc-750cc), Royal Enfield added yet another feather to its cap as the Interceptor 650 and the Himalayan achieved new records in the UK. Royal Enfield’s quintessential, modern classic roadster, the Interceptor 650 has been the best-selling motorcycle in the UK for June 2020 (as per MCIA data for the more than 125cc motorcycles category). The Interceptor 650 has also been the highest-selling naked style motorcycle in the UK for the last 12 months (as per MCIA data from June 2019 – June 2020), along with the Royal Enfield Himalayan at No.4. This is a remarkable feat, and a first-of-its-kind by any Indian two-wheeler manufacturer, selling in the UK.
Speaking about this achievement Vinod K. Dasari, CEO Royal Enfield said “Our vision is to expand and lead the middleweight motorcycling segment across the world. Towards this vision and further strengthening our position as a truly global brand, Royal Enfield has been consistently focusing on widening its footprint in international markets and creating engaging experiences for enthusiasts. Since its launch, the Interceptor 650 has been gaining momentum among consumers and has won several awards globally. Dominating the mid-segment in the UK for a year is a truly remarkable achievement that we are very proud of. We are equally delighted with the success of our adventure-tourer Himalayan which has been among the top 5 best-selling middle-weight motorcycles in the UK consistently over the last 12 months. This response from our customers in the UK has propelled Royal Enfield to become one of the fastest-growing motorcycle brands in the UK”
Further speaking about the Interceptor 650, Vinod K. Dasari added, “The Interceptor 650 marked the beginning of a new chapter and was the first truly global motorcycle from Royal Enfield. It has paved the way for us to grow from strength to strength; by building more awareness and aspiration for the brand in international markets, and by growing the 500cc+ category more than 4-times in India. Both, the Interceptor 650 and Himalayan have brought in a lot of first-time buyers into Royal Enfield and we believe these motorcycles have a strong potential to grow our international markets.”
Launched in September 2018, the Interceptor 650, the quintessential roadster, soon shot to popularity across global markets. Underpinned by an ethos of fun and approachability that make for pure riding experiences, the Interceptor 650 has emerged a true world-beater by winning several awards and accolades including Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2018, MCN’s Best Naked Motorcycle of the Year 2019 and several other top honours. In India, the Interceptor 650 has won almost all awards in its category and has performed exceedingly well. Since its launch, the upper end (500cc and above) of the mid-sized motorcycling segment has grown over four times, between FY 2019 and FY 2020.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan has redefined adventure touring in India and across the world and managed to carve a niche within the adventure-touring segment. Inspired by Royal Enfield’s 60 years of enduring history in its spiritual home – The Himalayas – the motorcycle has been an accessible and engaging option for riding enthusiasts.
This success of the Interceptor 650 and the Himalayan in the UK is also a testimony to the consistent efforts put in by Royal Enfield across its international markets to build more consumer touchpoints and curate deeper, more engaging experiences. Led by the Interceptor 650 and the Himalayan, Royal Enfield has recorded an overall volume growth of 96% across its international markets in FY20, with Europe registering 100% growth over last year. In the UK, Royal Enfield has made significant inroads in expanding its retail footprint to 67 customer touchpoints. The brand has also invested in expanding its marketing, sales and service teams to manage this growth.
About Royal Enfield:
The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-sized motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic bikes. With its new manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield is able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. With more than 40% growth every year for the last 5 years, Royal Enfield is fast becoming a very important player in the global mid-size motorcycle market and is working towards re-inventing this space with motorcycles that are evocative and engaging and great fun to ride.
Royal Enfield’s motorcycle lineup includes the newly launched Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, powered by a modern 648cc twin-cylinder engine. Royal Enfield also manufactures the Classic, Bullet and Thunderbird models in 350cc displacement and the purpose-built Himalayan powered by the new LS410 engine. Royal Enfield operates through 18 company-operated stores and 940 large format stores and 500 studio stores in all major cities and towns in India, and exports to over 50 countries across the world including the USA, UK, several European and Latin American countries, as well as the Middle East and South-East Asia.
Royal Enfield also organizes and supports many motorcycling events and rides globally, more prominently the Rider Mania – an annual gathering of Royal Enfield riders from all over the world to the lovely beaches of Goa, and the Himalayan Odyssey, the most arduous motorcycle ride over some of the toughest roads and highest mountain passes in the Himalayas. Royal Enfield also conducts the popular ‘One Ride’ where people around the world ride out on their motorcycles on the first Sunday of April.
