TVS Motor Company acquires Britain's 'Norton' sporting motorcycle

I had always assumed that the Donington estate had been leased from one of the defunct airline companies.

I remember SG saying early Nov 2017 that he would build an anniversary model, a month later Norton accepted my deposit and gave me a build number. I was in the area a week later so Clem took me into the build shop, showed me my bike, I dribbled a bit and took some photo's, had a nice chat with the techies that were building it. Clem said it might be ready before Xmas as long as the anticipated front mudguards arrived from the suppliers. Mid-Jan 2018 I got a call from Olivia saying bike was ready, I paid in full, delivery van driver gave me a date and bike duly arrived on my doorstep. I'm not sure at what point parts were taken off my bike to satisfy other customers, or when promises were made but not kept, or when pressure was put on for me to pay up front..... but they had 10 weeks to do this so I guess that was ample time for all sorts of shenanigans if I believe half what some of you are writing :)
 
MxMartin said:
I had always assumed that the Donington estate had been leased from one of the defunct airline companies.

I remember SG saying early Nov 2017 that he would build an anniversary model, a month later Norton accepted my deposit and gave me a build number. I was in the area a week later so Clem took me into the build shop, showed me my bike, I dribbled a bit and took some photo's, had a nice chat with the techies that were building it. Clem said it might be ready before Xmas as long as the anticipated front mudguards arrived from the suppliers. Mid-Jan 2018 I got a call from Olivia saying bike was ready, I paid in full, delivery van driver gave me a date and bike duly arrived on my doorstep. I'm not sure at what point parts were taken off my bike to satisfy other customers, or when promises were made but not kept, or when pressure was put on for me to pay up front..... but they had 10 weeks to do this so I guess that was ample time for all sorts of shenanigans if I believe half what some of you are writing :)
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My 961 ordered mid 2016 in JPN 1972 blue.
Karen regularly sent me photographs of the build.
Six weeks later it was ready and delivered to the door by Robbie the Courier.
I had no idea of any behind the scenes shenanigans.
 
So, the jobs are safe (apart from a certain Mr G, and does anyone know about Mr S ?), the bikes are going to continue to be built, they are going to be built in Britain, and there is now a fully financed fairy godmother looking after Norton !

And even folk who placed deposits are going to get their bikes !

Plus it seems reasonable to assume that with TVSs finances, engineering might and purchasing power, the bikes might even get some niggles ironed out.

It’s kinda hard to think of a more perfect outcome.

Call me a cynical old sod by all means, but let’s keep our fingers crossed tight that things turn out well this time...
 
Toes, tonsils and testicles! It seems there is a real opportunity for the current trajectory to lead to a better outcome for Norton than SG could ever have achieved, even if he had played with a straight bat! Who’d have thunk! The financial backing, dealer network and technical know how will guarantee(?) this, toes crossed! Let’s just hope that TVS fully recognise the importance of maintaining the British made heritage and all that that means. I’m not interested in another Royal Enfield. IMHO only. Long live Norton.
 
TVS UNVEILS INITIAL PLANS FOR NORTON
INTERNATIONAL
22/04/2020



Following its all-cash £16m purchase of the bankrupt Norton Motorcycles brand and assets last week, India’s TVS Motor Company was distinctly vague about immediate intentions. But now some firmer moves have emerged. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

Well-known Midlands businessman John Russell has been appointed as interim chief executive of Norton by TVS joint managing director Sudarshan Venu. Russell has a solid motorcycle industry CV, having been MD and vice-president of Harley-Davidson Europe from 1998 to 2007. He subsequently became chief executive of Coventry-based Manganese Bronze, once owner of Norton Villiers Triumph and latterly parent of the London Taxi Company, from 2007 to 2013.

That enterprise was taken over by Chinese automotive giant Geely Holding. Besides Swedish and UK car brands Volvo and Lotus, plus the black-cab building operation, Geely also features Benelli and Keeway bike manufacturer Qianjiang — a contract manufacturer for Harley-Davidson — in its extensive corporate portfolio. Russell’s current non-executive directorial roles include deputy chairmanship of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford upon Avon.

TVS supremo Venu’s original announcement of the Norton acquisition had been full of fairly meaningless niceties. “This is a momentous time for us at TVS Motor Company,” he said. “Norton is an iconic British brand celebrated across the world, and presents us with an immense opportunity to scale globally. This transaction is in line with our effort to cater to the aspirations of discerning motorcycle customers. We will extend our full support for Norton to regain its full glory in the international motorcycle landscape.

“Norton will continue to retain its distinctive identity with dedicated and specific business plans. TVS Motor will work closely with customers and employees in building the success and pre-eminence of the Norton Motorcycles brand and we look forward to growing together globally in the years to come.”

But now TVS has revealed a bit more detail. Speaking to Indian automotive trade publication Car and Bike, Venu insisted Norton operations will continue at Castle Donington in the short term, before transferring elsewhere in the vicinity.

“We’re taking over all the employees except a few, which is basically the old management,” Venu explained. “The strong design and assembly team is coming over to us, and we will look to leverage their strength and work with them to deliver more bikes of this storied brand. We will move to another new location very soon, in the same region. The idea is to continue with this very talented team to get the brand back to its original glory, and take it into the future.”

However, it’s patently obvious to seasoned industry observers the two key jewels in Norton’s tarnished crown that TVS has acquired are simply its historic trademarked moniker and a Ricardo-designed 650cc twin-cylinder engine platform for recently launched Atlas models. Together, these will allow it to challenge the similarly ex-pat Royal Enfield brand — and specifically its burgeoning retro Interceptor 650 twin — in both India’s huge domestic market and for export. Volume manufacture anywhere else but at low-cost TVS plants in Tamil Nadu makes no sense whatsoever. Norton’s rump presence on UK soil is likely be confined to R&D and maybe very limited assembly. Don’t expect to see the Norton V4 superbike’s reappearance any time soon.
 
BritTwit said:
And remove the bike's character and charm?
If TVS lives up to their promises, this could be the start of something beautiful.
I'll keep my toes crossed too.
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Well it’s a danger, you’re right. But I’m hoping more that they fix the known faults via proper analysis and root cause problem solving. Oil in the airbox, sensor issues, oil coolers hitting fenders, clutches - alternators - balance shafts self destructing, valve guides wearing prematurely, etc, etc.

The 961 has a 10 year history of unresolved issues that could (easily) be addresses AND the V4 and 650s stand a fighting chance of being developed ‘properly’.

I hope...
 
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Dommie Nator said:
However, it’s patently obvious to seasoned industry observers the two key jewels in Norton’s tarnished crown that TVS has acquired are simply its historic trademarked moniker and a Ricardo-designed 650cc twin-cylinder engine platform for recently launched Atlas models. Together, these will allow it to challenge the similarly ex-pat Royal Enfield brand — and specifically its burgeoning retro Interceptor 650 twin — in both India’s huge domestic market and for export. Volume manufacture anywhere else but at low-cost TVS plants in Tamil Nadu makes no sense whatsoever. Norton’s rump presence on UK soil is likely be confined to R&D and maybe very limited assembly. Don’t expect to see the Norton V4 superbike’s reappearance any time soon.
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Interesting. I would expect the 650 range to be almost immediately expanded to include a more traditional roadster and a cafe race, that would double the 650 range with a very small amount of work. As above, I believe TVS will want serious volume, low cost volume, for these bikes so I cannot see them being built in UK.

However, I’d be surprised if they drop the V4. There is serious publicity / brand value in the V4 and it’s already been designed! So I’d have thought low volume relatively bespoke assembly of V4s in the U.K. would be very worthwhile, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were more expensive to buy than before.

Same with the 961 range, the market size for these just doesn’t make tooling up for volume production worthwhile, so building in the East doesn’t make sense, so hand building in the U.K. until they’re no longer viable would make sense. Maybe there is scope to bore / stroke the 650 engine to facilitate a revised 750-850 Commando at some point in the future too?

I’d also put the 650 SL production in the U.K. too, as they’re also low volume, high end.

Also interesting that they mentioned racing and I wonder if / how / when that will really happen? The Aprilia engined bikes are now clearly past their sell by date and the Norton V4 would require a significant re-design to make it a 1000cc (you don’t just alter the bore and stroke at that level and still play the game). The 650s showed promise but still require serious development to be competitive. Maybe they’ll partner up with a pro race team to take over the race development side of things? I rather assume the race bikes will no longer be called SG1,2,3,4,5 etc ?!

But... that’s just me pontificating, it’ll be very interesting to see what happens. And at least it gives us all something to look forward to...
 
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Sounds good to me, maybe time to look on the bright side :)?
Just put lotto on for tonight might win might not but I will give it ago, might be able to afford one of the new Nortons also, they maybe a lot more reliable then the last lot in a while!
Burgs
 
For a company that likes going racing, I don't see the V4 continuing as a 1200, assembly in the UK, I doubt, but they know how take quality abroad these days.
It would be nice if those deposit payers get their bikes, but even if they just get the deposit back it will be a result. I suspect that a credit against the deposit will be offered against a bike that may or not be the one ordered, or even built in the UK.
Either way, the future is looking good.
 
Madnorton said:
For a company that likes going racing, I don't see the V4 continuing as a 1200, assembly in the UK, I doubt, but they know how take quality abroad these days.
It would be nice if those deposit payers get their bikes, but even if they just get the deposit back it will be a result. I suspect that a credit against the deposit will be offered against a bike that may or not be the one ordered, or even built in the UK.
Either way, the future is looking good.
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I agree it would be great to see existing orders fulfilled and deposits honoured by the new setup.
Moving forward if the v4 platform continues then the discerning customer base that the press statement alludes too, I doubt very much will see great appeal in a bike costing £28k - £44k as good value or special if it’s made in Asia.
 
hester said:
I agree it would be great to see existing orders fulfilled and deposits honoured by the new setup.
Moving forward if the v4 platform continues then the discerning customer base that the press statement alludes too, I doubt very much will see great appeal in a bike costing £28k - £44k as good value or special if it’s made in Asia.
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My money is on them not making the V4 in Asia. I reckon they‘ll aim to put the volume in Asia, and run a McLaren / Lotus type high end operation in U.K. for things like the V4, Superlight, etc.

But we shall see...
 
Dommie Nator said:
However, it’s patently obvious to seasoned industry observers the two key jewels in Norton’s tarnished crown that TVS has acquired are simply its historic trademarked moniker and a Ricardo-designed 650cc twin-cylinder engine platform for recently launched Atlas models. Together, these will allow it to challenge the similarly ex-pat Royal Enfield brand — and specifically its burgeoning retro Interceptor 650 twin — in both India’s huge domestic market and for export. Volume manufacture anywhere else but at low-cost TVS plants in Tamil Nadu makes no sense whatsoever. Norton’s rump presence on UK soil is likely be confined to R&D and maybe very limited assembly. Don’t expect to see the Norton V4 superbike’s reappearance any time soon.
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I think I said exactly this a few posts back.
 
and new boss has non exec Shakespeare connection, and it’s the bard’s birthday today....
“ love’s labour’s lost “ and “to be or not to be “ seem appropriate for recent events!
 
From Financial Times behind paywall.



The first job is to restart production at its Donington Park site in Leicestershire to fulfil customer orders for bikes that were never delivered before the company collapsed, he added.

Within six months, Norton aims to move to a new, larger factory nearby that will allow the company to hand-make bikes while also giving room for growth.


The new facility, which is likely to be close to the current site, will have a capacity to build 2,000 bikes a year, with the new owners planning to open an additional factory outside the UK in the future.

So 2000 a year UK, rest made in India ?
 
It would be nice to see a Interstate model, but that might just be wishful thinking. I can only hope that they will build a decent world wide dealer network too.
John in Texas
 
N0rt0nelectr@ said:
It would be nice to see a Interstate model, but that might just be wishful thinking. I can only hope that they will build a decent world wide dealer network too.
John in Texas
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The alloy tank is the 'Interstate' version, mine holds 3.5L more than my plastic tank :)
 
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