Royal Enfield trademarks ‘Himalayan’ name in Europe

Chennai-based motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has applied for a trademark for the name ‘Himalayan’. While this name might be used for anything ranging from accessories to motorcycles, rumours suggest that the company is planning to use the moniker on an adventure motorcycle, based on a completely new platform.

It is no secret that Royal Enfield is in the process of developing new motorcycles based on new platforms in the mid-size segment, especially for the European and the US markets. Reports suggest that the new Himalayan adventure motorcycle will feature the company’s new 385cc engine, which will eventually replace the current 350cc UCE mill.

To make sure that no stone is left unturned for its European onslaught, Royal Enfield last year hired Pierre Terblanche as the head designer. Pierre has vast experience in the automotive design world and has previously worked with Ducati, Cagiva, Piaggio, Norton and Confederate Motorcycles.

While the Indian market has been kind to Royal Enfield, the company’s export numbers are nowhere near what the company might have expected. The retro appeal might have caught the Indian customers' fancy, but the underpowered machines aren’t exactly a hit in the European and US markets. With this in view, the company has been working on a new generation of motorcycles powered by new engines, which should strike a chord with the customers in the other global markets and help it bump up its sales numbers.