Royal Enfield to Ramp up 350cc Production Capacity After GST-Revision Demand Rise

In its Q2 FY26 earnings call, Royal Enfield highlighted that the GST reduction on motorcycles under 350cc resulted in increased inquiries and sales conversions. The demand for the 350cc models surpassed that of the 450cc and 650cc categories, with conversion rates rising from 20-21% to 29-30%. The company has increased its production capacity to approximately 1.35 million units through operational enhancements and initiated a new module at the Cheyyar facility to meet future demand, particularly for the festive season.

Royal Enfield to Ramp up 350cc Production Capacity After GST-Revision Demand Rise

During its Q2 FY26 earnings call held on November 13, 2025, Royal Enfield said that the GST rate cut on motorcycles below 350cc led to higher enquiries and conversions. The company noted that the 350cc portfolio - covering models such as the Classic, Bullet, Meteor, Hunter and Goan Classic saw stronger momentum compared to the 450cc and 650cc range.

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What impact did the GST revision have on Royal Enfield's sales figures in the months following its implementation?

The GST revision significantly boosted Royal Enfield's sales, particularly for motorcycles below 350cc. For instance, in July 2025, the company reported a 31% year-on-year growth in total motorcycle sales, with the 350cc models experiencing a 34% increase. This trend continued into August, with a 55% overall growth, indicating that the lower tax rate effectively increased consumer demand and purchasing behavior for these models.

How have the sales of motorcycles above 350cc compared to those below 350cc since the GST change?

Sales of motorcycles above 350cc have grown but at a slower rate compared to those below 350cc. For example, in July 2025, sales for models above 350cc saw a 12% growth, while the 350cc models enjoyed a 34% increase. This trend continued into August 2025, where models above 350cc grew by 23%, significantly lagging behind the 61% growth for 350cc models, demonstrating a clear consumer preference shift post-GST revision.

What specific models contributed to the sales growth of Royal Enfield in the latter half of 2025?

Models such as the Classic 350, Hunter 350, and Bullet 350 played a significant role in driving sales growth for Royal Enfield. In September 2025, for instance, the sales of these models reached 107,478 units, reflecting a 43% year-on-year growth. Additionally, the newly introduced Bear 650 and Himalayan 450 also contributed to the brand's strong performance during this period.

How did Royal Enfield's export figures change in 2025 compared to the previous year?

Royal Enfield's export figures saw substantial growth in 2025. In July, exports increased by 95% year-on-year, and in August, they grew by 39%. By September, exports reached 10,755 units, a 41% increase compared to the previous year. This growth reflects the company's successful expansion into international markets alongside its robust domestic sales performance.

What initiatives is Royal Enfield planning to maintain its sales momentum into the future?

Royal Enfield plans to sustain its sales momentum through product innovation and community engagement. The introduction of new models like the 2025 Hunter 350 and the Bear 650, along with initiatives such as Motoverse and the Art of Motorcycling, aim to enhance customer experiences and deepen connections with the brand. This strategy is expected to drive continued growth in both domestic and international markets.

The company said the lower tax rate clearly altered buying behaviour, stating that the "350cc demand is slightly higher than the 450 and 650. As I mentioned, 650 is catching up faster than the 450, but the demand of 350 is higher than what we were looking at."
Royal Enfield also reported a rise in conversion rates across channels following the GST change, saying the enquiry-to-booking ratio increased from "20–21%" to "29–30%."

Debottlenecking Begins in Existing Production Lines

Management said the original installed capacity of around 1.2 million units per year had been stretched to roughly 1.3 to 1.35 million units through debottlenecking and operational changes. These steps focused on enabling higher 350cc output within the same manufacturing footprint.
According to the company, "We also did debottlenecking operations during this quarter for festive inventory buildup. So we have ramped up the capacity to almost about 1.3 million to 1.35 million motorcycles." This included process changes and additional equipment to free up space for more 350cc models.

New Module to Support Additional Capacity From Next Year

The company confirmed that an additional production module has been initiated at the Cheyyar facility. This module is expected to become operational in the first quarter of the next financial year. The move is meant to support future demand and prepare for festive season inventory requirements.

450cc and 650cc Demand Recovering at a Slower Pace

Royal Enfield stated that demand for the 450cc and 650cc models improved briefly due to pre-buying ahead of the GST revision but stabilised afterwards. The company said it continues to monitor these segments, where GST is still at a higher rate than the 350cc category.
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