Two years after Chennai-based Royal Enfield signed up celebrated motorcycle designer Pierre Terblanche from Confederate Motors, USA, as part of its ambition to become a global brand, things have apparently soured between the two parties.
Terblanche has now quit his position at Royal Enfield, according to Autocar Professional. Reasons for his departure are still unknown while the company has not responded to the news. Terblanche joined Royal Enfield in November 2014 as director of design. He was located at the company's office in England.
The designer became famous with his decade-old stint at Ducati as the head of design. He is the mastermind behind the designs of Ducati's Multistrada, Hypermotard, Supermono, ST3, 1999–2007 SuperSport, MH900e, 749/999, and the SportClassics.
Born in 1956 in South Africa, Terblanche has extensive experience with design, having worked under the well-known Massimo Tamburini at Cagiva's Research Center in San Marino. After Ducati was bought over by US-based Texas Pacific Group, Terblanche chose to move to the U.S. After quitting Ducati he worked for Piaggio on the Moto Guzzi brand, with the Norton Motorcycle Company, and with Confederate Motors. Confederate X132 Hellcat Speedster is also born out of his hand.
After Terblanche came on board, Royal Enfield launched the Himalayan adventure motorcycle. It is not clear if Terblanche was part of the design team of the Himalayan.
