Lower prices for Triumph in 2006

The most noticeable, which has immediate effect for Australian riders is a big decrease in the prices of its twin-cylinder classic and cruiser range.

Nick Bloor, son of the Hinckley firm's founder John Bloor, and a senior manager at the company, said, "Every increment in volume brings down the unit cost and we plan to do a lot more of that."

"We want to keep increasing the production numbers and are prepared to pass on savings by dropping the prices to achieve it.

"For example, the Australian price of a Bonneville has dropped $1,600 to $11,990 - which puts it in a very different price category.

"At that level you're getting a premium classic at utility bike prices," he said.

Triumph's medium-term business plan includes an ambition to building up its current yearly build numbers from 40,000 at an annual rate of 25 percent over the next 5 years. If successful that would raise production to around 140,000 per year by 2010.

The second part of the plan is to be more aggressive with its model development.

"We are announcing a new niche model every year, plus a major upgrade of an existing bike (such as the recent remake of the Sprint ST), every year," said Bloor.

"And we'll be making sure the pace of minor upgrades is increased across the range."

Triumph Australia has announced a new price list for the twin-cylinder classics:
Bonneville, reduced $1,600 to $11,990;
America, reduced $1,000 to $13,990;
Thruxton, reduced $1,000 to $13,990;
Speedmaster, reduced $600 to $14,990;
T100, reduced $460 to $13,790.
(All prices are RRP plus ORC.)