NORTON: Expansion plans announced

 Norton Motorcycles, part of the TVS Motor Company Group, announced its investment and growth plans to prepare the company for international expansion. 

Hosting a contingent of international journalists at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, members of Norton’s senior leadership team – Sudarshan Venu, Dr Robert Hentschel and Richard Arnold – shared the brand’s vision and discussed how Norton is now ideally placed to expand globally. 

Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director TVS Motor Company, said: “Our vision, commitment, and investment in the Norton brand are entering an exciting phase. We look forward to sharing that with motorcyclists across the world.” 

With TVS Motor’s backing and global capabilities, Norton is being reinvigorated as a global brand led by a strong, dynamic team. 

TVS Motor has committed £200m across the life of the investment in new product development, facilities, research and development and world-class quality engineering. The new Norton motorcycles will follow the company’s ‘Design, Dynamism, and Detail’ philosophy. Exciting product launches will start next year, with six new models planned over the next three years. Norton is preparing for international expansion with an initial focus on the USA, Germany, France, Italy and India. 

At the renowned Goodwood Festival of Speed, Sudarshan Venu outlined the expansion of Norton Motorcycles’ senior leadership team and the investment in the company. 

Most recently, these appointments included Richard Arnold, Norton Executive Director and former CEO of Manchester United Football Club. Bringing together the right people has put Norton in the best position to capitalise on its growth. 

Dr Robert Hentschel, chief executive officer of Norton Motorcycles, then provided insight into the development and engineering behind the current and upcoming Norton models, detailing TVS Motor’s input into the design and drivability of Norton’s products. 

As a result of TVS’s investment and support, Norton’s revitalised research and development has been channelled into its product pipeline through its state-of-the-art facility in Solihull. Testament to this is the One of One V4SV, inspired by Steve Hislop’s ‘White Charger’ that sped up the Goodwood Hillclimb every day of the festival. 

Dr Robert Hentschel, CEO, said: “The investment in research and development and leadership has us positioned to take six exciting products to countries across the world, with world class quality and scale, 

spelling another epoch of success in the Norton story. Our focus on design, drivability and details will maximise the exciting opportunity for Norton as well as for those new customers that choose one of our motorcycles.” 

Newly appointed, Richard Arnold, Executive Director, went on to discuss the future of the brand, including Norton’s stance on the world stage with upcoming global distribution, as well as the importance of honouring Norton’s heritage. 

This year they also marked the completion of Norton Motorcycles, honouring NMUL customers. After investing £2.3 million into the development, manufacturing and re-engineering of the Commando and V4 platforms, the fulfilment and delivery of orders for customers of the previous company signifies the closing of a significant chapter in which Norton can entirely focus on the company’s future. 

Richard Arnold, Executive Director, said: “Norton’s heritage is vast and plays a crucial part in our development as a global brand. It’s important for us to prioritise our customers, both in the present and the future, not only with new bikes but also with every touch point of the Norton experience. The products currently in testing and development are incredibly exciting. Bikers around the world will love to ride them and love to own them, I am looking forward to expanding their availability.