September 7, 2022
Blog Admin
Bajaj Auto Acquires Rights to the ‘Vincent Motorcycle’ Name
Bajaj has acquired the rights to the Vincent brand name. Yes, the same British retro bike maker that gave the world the fastest bikes of their time – Vincent Black Shadow and Black Lightning.
Bajaj acquires naming rights to ‘Vincent’
Vincent Motorcycles was a popular British manufacturer that produced some of the fastest bikes between 1928-1955. Two of its popular two-wheelers were Black Shadow and Black Lighting, which were among the fastest bikes at the time. The Black Shadow once held a land speed record doing 241.9 km/h.
The company was founded by Philip Vincent in 1928. After 27 years of being a market leader, production was stopped in 1955 after the company ran into financial troubles. Until recently, the brand was owned by Dave Holder & Family.
Bajaj looking to take on Royal Enfield
At a time when demand for retro and vintage motorcycles has soared, Bajaj is looking to make its foray and revive a classic brand like Vincent& with this, the Pune-based company will look to take on Royal Enfield in India.
At the moment, it is not yet known if Bajaj is looking to make new, modern machines or is reviving a classic brand to use Vincent as a sub-brand of retro classic motorcycles.
This is the second association with a British brand for Bajaj. The company also has a collaboration with Triumph Motorcycle, under which the two will be launching a mid-displacement motorcycle.
Earlier in 2020, Bajaj Auto filed a trademark for the Excelsior-Henderson name in Europe. Excelsior-Henderson was also a popular bike maker in its time. The company’s roots can be traced way back to the late 19th century – 1876 to be exact – when it was just the Excelsior Supply Company that manufactured cycles and cycle parts.
Henderson, on the other hand, started life in 1911, and focused mainly on inline-four engines. The two were, soon, acquired by bicycle firm Schwinn, and merged into Excelsior-Henderson. However, the company had to cease production in 1931 as the globe was engulfed by the severe economic downfall caused by the Great Depression.