I N D I A N M OTO R C YC L E P R E S I D E N T ST E V E M E N N E TO
P100
INTERVIEW
how stretching beyond that is going to happen, start-
ing with our launch of that model in the first week of
October at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany.
Have you developed an entirely new engine
for this model?
Yes, it's a totally different engine than what the
Scout's is.
So will there be other motorcycles built
around the FTR1200 engine?
I think you could say that it's a very flexible plat-
form for us to go forward with…
Would it be right to term this as the Indian
Sport Platform?
I don't think we've coined that phrase yet, but
yes, this is our Indian FTR platform. And we do
indeed have many opportunities in front of us with
this potential family of models.
Maybe something of a more European style
model, like a café racer—or an adventure
tourer?
I think we have a lot of options, so let me say
this. As you know, our focus is not only on the
North American market, but we've talked earlier
about Indian being a global brand. And for us to be
a credible global brand, we know that we have to
go over and enter the European market with great
motorcycles that are tailored towards what the cus-
tomers in those countries are looking for. I think the
FTR and any other spinoff models from that plat-
form are going to help achieve that. I think you also
can see with our decision to hire Ola Stenegärd as
our director of product design to help us to expand
our brand globally, that we're serious about bring-
ing great bikes to different markets.
An American manufacturer hires a Swedish
designer with a successful track record with a
German brand—that's a pretty positive state-
ment of intent, I guess.
Yes, we like to think so, and it speaks highly of
Ola that he wanted to join us on what I'm sure will
be an exciting adventure with so many forthcoming
new products in quite different segments.
One area that hasn't, however, as yet proved
successful for you, is electric. You purchased
Indian's highly successful
revival has a lot to
do with Menneto's
forward-thinking
philosophy.
"We want to grow
our brand globally, but
we know that when
customers around
the world demand
something we're not
making in America, then
we need to be able to
respond to that."
