Prior to Polaris Industries’ acquisition in 2011, the Indian Motorcycle brand experienced a tumultuous history marked by various owners and periods of both prosperity and dormancy. From its founding in 1901 by the Hendee Manufacturing Company, the marque changed hands multiple times, including periods under the stewardship of Du Pont Motors, Brockhouse Engineering, and a series of private investors. Understanding this complex lineage provides essential context for appreciating the brand’s revival under Polaris.
Tracing the brand’s ownership through these different eras reveals the challenges inherent in maintaining a historic motorcycle manufacturer. Each change in ownership brought new approaches to production, marketing, and model development, reflecting the evolving landscape of the motorcycle industry and the broader economic climate. This history of adaptation and reinvention ultimately laid the groundwork for the brand’s current success.