On Friday Automobile dealer body FADA said the closure of Harley Davidson`s operations in India would lead to job loss for up to 2,000 workers across the brand`s 35 dealerships. Harley Davidson on Thursday said it is discontinuing sales and manufacturing operations in the country.

The India action will include an associated workforce reduction of around 70 employees, it had said in a SEC filing. Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said that besides job loss, the exit of the American cult bike maker would also lead to a loss of up to Rs 130 crore for the brand`s dealer partners in the country.

FADA President Vinkesh Gulati said."Harley Davidson has not informed any of its dealer partners about its closure plans and dealers are yet to receive any official communication."

"Luxury two-wheeler dealership on an average employs 50 people. With 35 Harley dealers, around 1,800-2,000 people at dealerships will lose their jobs," he added. Customers who will not receive glitch-free service as spares will now be in shortage, thus leading to harassment of dealers from customers. India`s capital goes down the drain with the closure of every single brand in the country, Gulati said.

He also added, General Motors, MAN Trucks and UM Lohia, Harley Davidson is the fourth automobile brand shutting shop in the last three years in India. "Had there been a Franchise Protection Act in India, brands like these would not have abruptly closed their operations, leaving their channel partners and customers in a fix," Gulati said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Harley said its dealer network will continue to serve customers through the contract term, adding it is communicating with its customers in India and will keep them updated on future support.