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n.

In 1894, with the name of Hildebrand & Wolfmüller first series production of motorcycle was started and first to be called a motorcycle (German: Motorrad) (Brief history of the Marque: Hildebrand & Wolfmuller. 2007). In the initial phase of motorcycle production history, many manufacturers of bicycles modified their designs to lodge the new internal combustion engine. As the engines became more powerful and designs of bicycle get matured, the number of motorcycle producers increased.

Up to World War-I, the biggest manufacturer of motorcycle in the world was India, producing over 20,000 bikes per year (Walker, 2006). In early 1920s, Harley-Davidson gained this honor, with their motorcycles being sold by dealers in 67 countries (Jeremy Cato 2003). In early 1930s or late 1920s, German manufacturer DKW (Dampf-Kraft-Wagen) took over as the largest manufacturer (Bill Vance, 2009). Right after World War-II till mid-1950s, British producer BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) Group become largest producer in the world and produced up-to 75,000 motorcycles. From 1955 to 1970s German company NSU held the position of chief company (Wikipedia, 2010). Small two-stroke motorcycles were globally popular (especially in Americas and Europe) from 1960s to 1990s, analysts partially give this credit to Walter Kaaden's engine work in the 1950s at East Germany. (motorcycle museum, 2009). Today, Harley-Davidson and BMW are popular brands and supply considerable markets, but industry and market is primarily dominated by Japanese producer. Other important companies include KTM (Austria), Triumph (UK), Ducati (Italy) and Piaggio group of Italy. The lion’s share of world motorcycle market is being captured by the Japanese brands, such as Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha. Minimal numbers of motorcycles are being produced in Japan, but its brands control about 50% of global market with solid existence in the LLC (low cost countries) such as Thailand, China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia etc., (CSF, 2006). Chinese brands controlling more than two thirds of the Chinese market but still the basic designs are modeled round the popular Japanese models. Hero Honda and TVS of India heavily rely on their Japanese partners for model innovations and basic designs. R&D for the industry is expensive as well as time consuming that is why above countries use the developed models of Japanese brands. The Japanese manufacturers named above have financial muscle as well as the technical capability to undertake the required R&D.

The global motorcycle industry is mainly dominated by Japanese companies such as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, although Harley-Davidson and BMW continue to be popular and supply considerable markets. Other major manufacturers include Ducati, Piaggio group of Italy, Triumph (UK) and KTM sports motorcycles of Austria.

Today, this area is dominated mostly by Chinese companies’ e.g. Chang Jiang Motorworks, Hi-Bird and Jincheng Group, followed by Indian companies with Hero Honda emerging as the big manufacturer of two wheelers. Other major producers are Bajaj and TVS Motors. The four largest motorcycle markets in the world are all in Asia: China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam (O'Malley, 2007).

According to Anwar Iqbal (2003) the industry Worldwide has seen a tremendous growth in the past 5 years. Production in 2010 has been estimated at 45.0 million units with China producing