(April 22, 2011) Earlier this week Minnesota-based Polaris Industries announced that the company has purchased the rights to produce Indian motorcycles and intends to shortly resurrect the 110-year-old marque.

Polaris bought the name and logo from Indian Motorcycle Limited (IML), the latest entrepreneurs who attempted to revive the brand.

IML, based in Kings Mountain, N.C., has owned the Indian production rights since 2004.

Polaris CEO Scott Wine stated in the company’s press release, “With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.”

Polaris, which has its own line of Victory cruiser and touring bikes, said Indian will operate as an autonomous business unit.

Indian was formed in 1901 and within a decade was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. The original company went bankrupt in 1953, and a number of successor companies have kept the brand alive.

Steve Heese and Stephen Julius bought the brand in 2004, setting up shop in North Carolina.

Source: Polaris, news releases