Indian Scout Bike Cycles Back; Service Pushed

EULESS, Texas--The Indian Scout is coming back, and the Indian Motorcycle Co. has made a five-year agreement to have Warrantech Automotive Inc. administer its factory sponsored extended service contracts.

Under the contract, Warrantech will provide Indian with a turn-key program that includes contract and claims administration, claims adjudication and underwriting through Great American Insurance.

The Indian Scout, first introduced in 1920 and the most popular model in the history of the brand, is to be re-launched before the end of this year. The Indian Chief, of which only 1,100 were made in 1999, is known for being technologically advanced with classic styling redolent of the 1940s and ‘50s.

Indian was founded in 1901 by bicycle racer George Hendee in Springfield, Mass. In 1953, the company was forced to halt production. Since then, numerous attempts have been made to revive the Indian name. In 1998, a $30 million merger involving Indian Motorcycle Co. Inc., American Indian Motorcycle Co., California Motorcycle Co. and its six related companies created the second largest producer of heavy cruisers in North America.

Joel San Antonio, Warrantech’s chairman and CEO, noted that “over the last year, we have concentrated our efforts in signing agreements in new product areas with premier manufacturers. Our agreement with Indian is another step in advancing our goals and strengthening our position as the leading provider of service contracts.”

Warrantech Automotive and parent Warrantech Corp. administer and market service contracts and aftermarket warranties on automobiles, automotive components, recreational vehicles, appliances, consumer electronics, homes, computer and computer peripherals for retailers, distributors and manufacturers.