World's largest motorcycle brand in production wise, Hero Motocorp to manufacture Honda free bikes by 2014. Having a contract with Honda till 2014, Hero will be depended on Honda's technologies until the contract ends. Earlier Hero and Honda burned off their long term venture, Hero Honda in 2010 after Hero accounted Honda's 26% stake for Rs. 3,841.83 crore.
Currently Hero Motocorp is in talk with other companies inside and outside the country in order to develop a complete twisting technology under a different platform. In accordance with Hero's research, the company has already commenced its work on its new R&D center, which will be the largest R&D center in India. "We are working with different technology partners. Our first bike without Honda technology will be launched in 2014," Hero MotoCorp managing director and CEO Pawan Munjal said.
Beyond that, Hero has tied up with other foreign countries to fill the gap which will be left by Honda in the coming years. The US based Erik Buell Racing (EBR) had signed a contract with Hero to strengthen its presence in the high-end bikes. Moreover an alliance with Austria-based engine developer AVL had been coped up to ensure innovative engines for vivid categorized motorcycles.