Yes, Royal Enfield is an Indian company which is a subsidiary of Eicher Motors Limited, an Indian multinational manufacturer of motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Royal Enfield has its origins in the United Kingdom but is under Indian ownership since 1994. The company is present in both Indian and international markets and operates its manufacturing plants in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Royal Enfield is known for its retro-styled, mid-sized bullet models in 250cc-650cc models like Royal Enfield Bullet, Classic 350, Himalayan Meteor 350, Royal Enfield Thunderbird, Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650 and more. Royal Enfield motorcycles blend heritage with durability. The company holds the distinction of being the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in continuous production.
| Detail | Info |
| Founded | 1901 |
| Founder | Albert Aedie, Robert Walker Smith |
| Headquarters | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| CEO | B. Govindarajan |
| Sector | Automotive |
Company History
Royal Enfield began its journey as The Enfield Cycle Company in the 1890s. In the year 1901, the company launched its first Royal Enfield motorcycle. This 239cc motorcycle marked the entry of Royal Enfield in motorized vehicle industry. In the year 1949, Royal Enfield partnered with Madras Motors to supply its iconic Bullet 350 motorcycles to the Indian Army. Thereafter, Royal Enfield formed a joint venture with Madras Motors, named Enfield India, in the year 1955. A manufacturing facility was subsequently established in Chennai, India.
In the year 1994, Eicher Motors Limited, an Indian manufacturer of commercial vehicles, acquired Enfield India and renamed it Royal Enfield Motors Limited. Apart from focusing on Bullet models, the company expanded its brand portfolio to include multiple models like Classic 350/500, Interceptor 650, Shotgun 650 and others.
Current Status
Royal Enfield is a global leader in the mid-sized motorcycle market and is competing with brands like Harley-Davidson and Triumph. The company has expanded to over 60 countries and has a North American hub in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Royal Enfield operates 3 manufacturing plants in Chennai, India, a research and development center in Leicestershire, UK, and assembly plants in Thailand and Brazil.
Royal Enfield manufactures over 800,000 units of motorcycles and India accounts for over 90% of its sales.
Future Outlook
Royal Enfield is investing heavily in electric vehicles. Its first electric motorcycle, named Flying Flea C6, is expected to be launched in 2025. The company is upgrading its models with features like LED lightning, TFT displays, and dual front disc brakes. Royal Enfield is testing its Himalayan 750 model in Ladakh and the same is likely to be launched in 2026.