Rapid response from Hero MotoCorp to ensure a smooth life after Honda seems to be infectious. After announcing link-ups with Erik Buell Racing of the US and AVL of Austria, the latest 'star' name to come on board the Hero MotoCorp brand wagon is Engines Engineering of Italy who till recently was a fully owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. So what will this bring to the new product programme of Hero MotoCorp or for that matter, what will it do for Hero MotoCorp's own design and development ambitions? Here there is our take on Hero MotoCorp's tie-up with Engines Engineering.

So there we have it, what Hero MotoCorp tends to call it's multiple centres of excellence in its endeavour to find meaning in the critical period of life after Honda. Fast-tracking its approach to shore up on technology after its first two well publicised efforts with Erik Buell Racing in the USA and noted Austrian engineering consultancy AVL, Hero MotoCorp surprised no one with its move to engage Italy-based Engines Engineering to help it develop the next generation of small capacity power plants for its all-Hero two-wheeled ambitions.

While the Erik Buell Racing tie-up is of considerable discussion in motorcycling circles globally given the complete contrast in the relevant positioning of both companies, the AVL tie-up was logical and to a certain extent so is it with Engines Engineering. However, this small outfit which packs a sizeable punch has had a hand in helping other Indian two-wheeler manufacturers in the past including LML, TVS and more lately Mahindra 2Wheelers. In fact, Engines Engineering was owned for the better part of a year and a half by Mahindra & Mahindra and it was also mandated to prepare Mahindra 2Wheelers foray in India. For reasons best known to the two parties, Mahindra & Mahindra sold its stake back to Alberto Strazzari, CEO of Engines Engineering and given the lack of traction in the market and the Moto3 racing circuits with Mahindra's bikes developed by Engines Engineering, the parting of ways was always on the cards.

The point to reason is whether in this fast moving technological world, especially where emission legislation is mandating the design and development of new age small capacity motors, does Engines Engineering have the wherewithal to truly deliver? I am intrigued by the wording of the press release from Hero MotoCorp which states and I quote:  "From conception and design right down to styling, on line assembly, industrialisation and marketing, every step is closely followed by the firm", Engines Engineering, that is.

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