Norton revs first bikes under new ownership
THE new boss of Norton Motorcycles has revealed the first models to come off the production line under its new Indian owners.
Promoting the V4SS, chief executive John Russell said the team had been working flat-out to rebuild the business after the calamitous end to its previous ownership.
New owner TVS Motor Company bought Norton, which is headquartered at Castle Donington, on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border, back in April.
The business had gone into administration under previous owner Stuart Garner, owing hundreds of thousands of pounds and with customers desperate to know where their deposits had gone.
When the buy-out deal was done, TVS, which is one of the biggest bike manufacturers, described it as a momentous occasion with aspirations to help the historic brand – founded in Birmingham in 1898 – regain its “rightful glory”.
Mr Russell joined the business having previously worked as managing director of European operations for Harley Davidson and in senior roles with Rover, Land Rover and MG.
Promoting the carbon bodied V4SS he said: “TVS bought Norton because it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to buy one of the great brands in the motorcycle industry.
“It’s our job, our goal, to make sure that the foundations we lay now create the real potential for us to unlock this brand and deliver its potential long-term.
“Much of what we are working on today so intensely is invisible to our customers and our enthusiasts – but at the heart of what we are doing is this bike, which will be the first one available from the new Norton at the end of this year.”
Norton business says the handbuilt bikes – just 200 are currently being made – “redefines” the British superbike.
The 1,200cc road bike runs on a chassis developed at the Isle of Man TT.