Most Americans are likely unfamiliar with the Hero MotoCorp, unless they've been following Zero Motorcycles closely. A multinational motorcycle and scooter manufacturer headquartered in Delhi, India, Hero has a market share of about 30% in the Indian two-wheeler industry and produces more than nine million two-wheeled vehicles annually via its eight manufacturing facilities.
Until recently, Hero Motorcycles have mainly been available in India, Sri Lanka, Africa, Mexico, South America, and much of Southeast Asia. However, according to a report from CNBC, Hero MotoCorp has now officially entered the United Kingdom through a partnership with Lancashire-based distributor MotoGB.
The announcement marks the company’s 51st international market, reinforcing Hero’s growing European footprint following recent availability in both Italy and Spain. The company will introduce its new Euro 5+ range of motorcycles, led by the Hunk 440, a motorcycle aimed at newer riders and priced accordingly, with an MSRP of £3,499 ($4,665).
Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice President at Hero MotoCorp, said the partnership with MotoGB “reflects Hero’s understanding of UK riders and its ambition to make premium motorcycles accessible to both first-time buyers and enthusiasts,” according to CNBC.
I’ve personally seen Hero have success in motorsports these last few years, namely at the Dakar Rally, where the Hero MotoSports Team Rally secured an impressive 7th place overall finish back in January. This was the Indian manufacturer’s second-best Dakar performance in nine years, following its second-place overall finish at the grueling rally race last year.
MotoGB will offer Hero’s motorcycles at over 25 official sales and service locations across the United Kingdom, with plans to expand the network to more than 35 locations by 2026. Following its expansion into Italy and Spain, Hero now has a strong foothold in both the EU and UK, but there’s no word whether the Indian brand will make their bikes available in the United States.
If the success of Royal Enfield has shown us anything, its that the US market is eager for smaller displacement, reasonably priced motorcycles that deliver adequate performance and fill the gap left vacant by US, European and Asian motorcycle manufacturers. But will Hero bring their bikes to the US? I don't think that's likely to happen for a while, but I hope this move to distribute their motorcycles in the UK is a step in that direction.
