Major European and Asian brands have simpler manufacturing partners and 'only' mark the chassis with their shields
BMW is about to launch its F 450 GS, an adventurous intermediate model that has generated great expectations in motorcyclists. After all, it, which will arrive in Brazil later this year and compete in the hottest category of the moment, is an acclaimed BMW of German engineering. Or is it?
To the sadness of some, we have already brought in an article that the new BMW, in fact, is a mixed project between the Indian TVS and the German. As Asian as Germanic, it will be manufactured at the Indian plant in Hosur. However, you don’t have to be surprised, as this is very common in the two- or more-wheeled market. Several famous manufacturers put their shields on motorcycles of other brands.
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Starting with the German BMW itself, in addition to the Indian TVS, the classic has partnerships with another countrywoman and Chinese.
Low-capacity motorcycles, such as the G 310 R, G 310 GS and G 310 RR — which are discontinued to make way for the new 450 — were also manufactured in Hosur by TVS, a partnership that has lasted more than a decade and extends to the development of new platforms, such as the new one.
In addition to the Indian partnership for small motorcycles, BMW outsources the manufacture of its intermediaries. Just like Kymco did a few years ago, a Chinese company delivers some engines to the German. The C 400 X scooter and the F 800 and F 900 trails have their engine supplied by Loncin – even though the assembly is done in the factories of the German BMW.
India also appears as a partner of the English Triumph. Again, as a colleague in the production of low-capacity models.
Here, India’s largest motorcycle brand, Bajaj, plays that role. Both the Triumph Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400X are made in India, in Chakan.
This partnership between Bajaj and Triumph came about in 2020, when they agreed to share projects. Here in Brazil, everything came to a head with the arrival of the 400 in 2023.
In the Austrian KTM, India appears as the main collaborator, once again. Bajaj is the brand’s main partner and shareholder, having, in 2025, acquired 74.9% of the company, an action that was fundamental to prevent the bankruptcy of laranjinha.
Regardless, Bajaj, since 2007, has been responsible for the production of KTM’s small and medium-sized companies. Engines up to 790 cm³, for example, have engineering shared by the brands, and there are similarities in both the Indian and Austrian engines.
China’s CFMoto is also a partner of KTM. The agreement basically constitutes a joint venture called CFMoto-KTMR2R, existing since 2017. CFMoto manufactures medium-displacement KTM models, such as the 790 Duke and 790 Adventure, in Hangzhou, China.
The partnership also involves CFMoto’s use of KTM engines in its high-capacity models.
Finally, two other manufacturers are part of this KTM “team”. Husqvarna and GasGas belong to the same group as the Austrian company (PIERER Mobility AG) and share engines, platforms and chassis.
Many still remember the partnership between KTM and MV Agusta. The point is that, with the recent risk of bankruptcy, the European companies have separated.
Even at the most extreme and methodical point on the planet there are partnerships that mix the shields, or almost so.
As much as Brazilians are used to always seeing Haojue together with Suzuki, not everyone knows that there is a strong partnership there. China’s Haojue emerged in 1992 as a joint venture of the Japanese company.
His goal, which eventually took hold over the years, was to take over Suzuki’s smaller models. Today the brand is practically independent, but still shares projects and structure with the Japanese one.
Not even the proud American Harley-Davidson can help but succumb to globalization. In China, Qianjiang Motorcycle (QJ Motor) is the one who puts the name Harley on its models. There, the X350 and X500 lines receive support in development, but the manufacturing is oriental.
Returning to India, the same situation happens, but with Hero MotoCorp. The strategic partnership produces the Harley-Davidson X440, a motorcycle designed for the Indian market and launched in 2023. Hero also takes care of the brand’s distribution and services in the country.
Here in Brazil, the national Dafra, born in 2007, had as its main partner the Indian TVS. The agreement, which lasted between 2010 and 2024, was responsible for the commercialization of important motorcycles, such as the Apache RTR 150, between 2010 and 2014, and the Apache RTR 200, since 2017.
Currently, Dafra is together with the Chinese SYM, responsible for its entire main line from 150 cm³ to 400 cm³.
