Announcement

**vrugonnab** · 01-31-2013, 03:56 AM

Wow, looks like Bajaj is spending big bucks! But, I seriously don't understand the rationale behind this purchase (if it's true). As far as I know, Husqvarna is basically offroad/street bike maker. This is where KTM is excelling at the moment, why do they need to purchase Husqvarna?

**princesirohi** · 01-31-2013, 09:51 AM

it may be a good news for us indians, as those in love with huqsvarna brand may hope to see the bikes in india in future.

**NewsReaper** · 01-31-2013, 02:20 PM

According to news reports coming in, it is confirmed that BMW will be selling off Husqvarna. But it is still unsure if KTM is the buyer.

Husqvarna is primarily into building off-road motorcycles. BMW has invested in a lot of R&D into Husqvarna to start building road bikes. Why would KTM which already is a leader in Off-road bikes and is steadily increasing its road bike portfolio, be interested in buying Husqvarna.

What would KTM-Bajaj hope to gain from purchasing a company, in which they already have the capability? Analysts believe that Bajaj will benefit from Husqvarna's off-road expertise. But why would Bajaj require this expertise when they can get the same expertise from Multiple Dakar Rally winners - KTM. Officials from Bajaj also refused to comment on the said deal.

Rumours are rife with the fact that KTM CEO Stefen Pierer is set to purchase Husqvarna and he will step down from KTM.

Formal announcements are set to be made in a day or two.

Source: Bajaj partner KTM in talks to buy BMW’s Husqvarna - The Economic Times

Husqvarna Sold, But to Whom?

**111diablo111** · 01-31-2013, 04:50 PM

there was a news that TVS is going to tie up with Husqvarna but after Husqvarna getting sold by BMW,what happened to that thing??

**prajwalkashyap** · 01-31-2013, 10:55 PM

Husky is indeed sold to Stefan Pierer ....

New Husqvarna owner aims to double motorbike sales | Reuters

Prajwal

MG · 02-01-2013, 11:19 AM

Thread name updated

**mansuryayas** · 02-01-2013, 08:24 PM

KTM Bought it probably to negate competition from a Strong brand, read BMW here

**vrugonnab** · 02-02-2013, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by mansuryayas View Post

KTM Bought it probably to negate competition from a Strong brand, read BMW here

Actually it's the other way around. BMW realized that they can't really take on KTM with Husqvarna. They bought it in 2007 at peak valuation when Husq was selling about 15k to 20k units per annum. After 5 years of pouring money, stream lining production lines, setting up a separate R&D.. result is that Husq is selling about 10k units per annum now, add to that European market is really a mess right now as far as bikes are concerned. So, rather than putting the money down the drain, they just got rid of it by selling it to KTM.

But as far as KTM is concerned, they can share back-end for their off-road bikes and bring down the costs drastically just like Bajaj-KTM are doing with Duke/Pulsar, which wasn't a possibility for BMW Motorad. So, it kind of makes sense for KTM, not a whole lot as they are already market leaders, neverthless it's a good consolidation move. Now, they can dominate Japanese competition much more effectively.

**s_hari** · 02-05-2013, 07:08 PM

Indian made Huskies to come in 2 years

Source : Money Control

Last week Bajaj Auto's Austrian Partner KTM made the bold announcement to acquire its rival off-road biker Husqvarna from BMW. The acquisition will make the austrian company the undisputed leader in the niche off-road segment. In an exclusive interview to CNBC-TV18's Ronojoy Banerjee the CEO of KTM Auto Stefan Pierer talked about the thinking behind the acquisition and why it is a win-win for both KTM & Bajaj Auto.The acquisition of Husqvarna comes as good news for the KTM-Bajaj Alliance too. Just last year the two partners entered into a manufacturing alliance and launched KTM's first product offering in India the Duke 200 which rolled out of Bajaj's Chakan plant. Today, there are 8,500 Dukes on Indian roads and Bajaj is hopeful of touching the 10,000 mark shortly.

KTM is hopeful that it can extend its current arrangement with Bajaj to include the Husqvarna and launch the first made-in-India Husky in two years from Pune.

Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM Auto says, "First Husqvarna motorcycle will be launched in India in 2 years. Proposed Husky model for India to be made at Bajaj's Chakan plan will use joint engine platforms of Bajaj-KTM for Husky models. Joint-engine platform to be used for 125cc-200cc segment for Husqvarna."

KTM is keen to model its strategy on the lines of auto giant Volkswagen. Pierer says just the way the German OEM has a common back end for a multitude of brands from Audi, Skoda and VW, KTM too will follow a similar approach.

Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM Auto adds, "If you look at Volkswagen group they have 9 or 10 different brands but inside they use same components etc."

KTM posted its best ever annual sales at 107,000 units in 2012. With its latest acquisition Husqvarna along with the other Swedish brand under its belt Husaberg KTM is aiming at over 120,000 units by the end of 2013. A chunk of its volumes are expected to come from emerging markets including India where the company is gearing up to launch the all new duke 390 by June.

More from Rajiv Bajaj : Link
View the the second video link where Rajiv has slipped for a moment and mentioned 250 cc and immediately said 390. So i think after 390 its turn of D250.

**s_hari** · 02-07-2013, 02:00 PM

KTM to leverage Bajaj Auto skills for Asean play

Source : The Hindu

Last week, the CEO of Austrian off-road bike maker KTM snapped up the company from BMW Motorrad.
Husqvarna is an old, traditional Swedish off-road bike brand which would typically need a new, aggressive product line-up.
Its acquisition also coincides with hardcore realities like a fragile European market and the need for KTM to explore other geographies.
It is here that its Indian partner, Bajaj Auto, which has a 47 per cent stake in the company, will play a big role.

It is in this context that the Chakan plant will play a vital role as a manufacturing hub.

Eventually, KTM-Husqvarna-Bajaj could emerge as a combined powerhouse for emerging markets.

Pierer said the company was exploring all the possible synergies likely with Husqvarna as well as those areas which make sense to KTM.

Clearly, one of the key reasons for this acquisition was the state of the motorcycle market in Europe and North America which has shrunk by nearly 50 per cent over the last five years.
Consolidation has, therefore, become the survival mantra for bike makers.

Announcement

Husqvarna sold to KTM boss Stefan Pierer

Husqvarna sold to KTM boss Stefan Pierer

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment