We take a look at the history of Indian Motorcycle and its current owner, Polaris Industries.
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Introduction
In January of 2011, Polaris Industries Inc. announced that it had acquired Indian Motorcycle Company LLC from Stellican Ltd. Polaris is a global leader in the powersports industry, and the acquisition of Indian Motorcycle further strengthens its position in the motorcycle market.
Polaris plans to invest significant resources in the Indian Motorcycle brand, including new product development, expanded dealer support, and investment in marketing initiatives. With its commitment to quality and innovation, Polaris is poised to take Indian Motorcycle to new heights and continue its legacy as America’s first motorcycle company.
History
Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901 by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom in Springfield, Massachusetts. The company originally produced motorcycles for racing, but soon began producing bikes for the public. In 1911, they released the Scout, which became one of their most popular models. Indian Motorcycle was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world from 1913 to 1931. In 1928, Indian Motorcycle merged with the CycleAndrews Company.
In 1942, Indian Motorcycle stopped production due to World War II. After the war, production resumed, but it wasn’t until 1953 that a new model, the Chief, was released. In 1955, Indian Motorcycle was bought by Brockhouse Engineering Ltd., a Canadian company. Brockhouse had difficulty reviving the company and sold it to Mangum Manufacturing in 1961. Mangum went bankrupt in 1963 and Indian Motorcycle was bought by Allied Cycle Company.
In 1968, IndianMotorcycle was bought by British Leyland Motors Ltd., who then sold it to Grey Advertising in 1971. GreyAdvertising had no experience with motorcycles and was not interestedin running the company, so they sold it to a group of investors ledby Scott Perkins in 1972. Perkins tried to revive the company butwas unsuccessful and filed for bankruptcy in 1978.
The company remained inactive until 1999 when it was boughtby Stellican Ltd., a British investment firm specializing infailed businesses. Stellican changed the name of the companyto IMCOA Licensing Corporation and began selling merchandiseunder the Indian Motorcycle brand name. In 2003, they introduceda line of limited edition replica bikes called Powerplus bikes.
In 2004IndianMotorcycles were included in the Milestone MoTORSports Museumin Los Angeles and that same year Stellican organized a centennialcelebration for Indian Motorcycles in Springfield, Massachusettswhere the first bike was built
Models
There are a variety of Indian Motorcycle models available, each with its own unique features and design. The most popular models include the Scout, the Classic, the Chieftain, and the Roadmaster.
The Scout is a lightweight and agile bike that is perfect for city riding. It features a low seat height and a sleek design that is sure to turn heads. The Classic is a more traditional cruiser-style bike that is comfortable for long rides. It has a larger engine for more power and torque, and it comes with plenty of storage space.
The Chieftain is a top-of-the-line touring bike that comes loaded with features like heated seats and grips, cruise control, and GPS navigation. It also has a powerful audio system to keep you entertained on long rides. The Roadmaster is the ultimate in luxury touring bikes. It comes with all the bells and whistles, including electronic adjustable suspension, heated seats and grips, Bluetooth connectivity, and an advanced audio system.
Technology
In January 2011, Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), a Minnesota-based maker of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles and motorcycles, announced that it would buy Indian Motorcycle Company for $174 million in cash. The purchase included the Indian Motorcycle brand name and trademark, the Indian Motosport race team and the factory in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where Indian motorcycles are produced.
Racing
Indian Motorcycle Company, LLC, is an American motorcycle manufacturer owned by Polaris Industries, Inc. It was founded in 1901. The company produced motorcycles for racing and for the military.
Aftermarket
In 2011, after Indian Motorcycle had gone through several owners and experienced production difficulties, Stellican Ltd., a British investment firm, bought the company. Stellican then brought in Glynn Kerr as CEO to turn the company around. Under Kerr’s leadership, Indian Motorcycle released three new bikes, the Chief Classic, the Chief Vintage, and the Chieftain. The company also moved its production from North Carolina to Spirit Lake, Iowa. In 2013, Polaris Industries bought Indian Motorcycle for $67 million.
Conclusion
From 2009 until 2011, the Indian Motorcycle Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Polaris Industries conglomerate. However, in April 2011, Polaris announced that it would be spinning off its Powersports division, of which Indian Motorcycle was a part. As such, on May 10, 2011, the newly independent company began trading on Nasdaq as “PII”, and Indian Motorcycles are once again their own entity.
