What are your thoughts about cutting a deal with existing dealers (successful ones) so they can plug holes throughout the country? Example: What if Husky cut a deal, with say a Hall's or someone to expand into Indianapolis and other areas where they need presence? What are your thoughts about taking the top few AA racers in each of those states and then put them on a Husky? Wouldn't it be some cheap advertising? Feel free to chime in. Darin
not really...you want guys in the main series....ones that are in all the mags and some tv...GNCC's, worcs, national H&H, enduros and such....having a couple guys at local races really dont do anything...I see 3 or 4 at our races, does it make me more inclined to go buy one...no...i think they are doing a pretty good job considering where they are coming from just 5 or 6 years ago....it took KTM 15 years of solid good bikes to be considered as 1 of the top brands...so Husky just needs to stick in there making good bikes...somehow shed the "parts problem" idea that people have, that ktm had too, and they too will be a powerhouse....
I think they are more likely to expand by adding Husqvarnas at BMW dealers in those areas that dont have a Husky dealer, but do have a BMW dealer. They also have to make sure there are official accessories (just like BMW and KTM) readily available and that the part supply chain is robust enough to handle increase volume. Then they will selectively expand Husqvarna while retaining its position as a premium brand. I think in 5 years Husqvarana and KTM will be seen as equivalent competitors just as Husky and Penton/Maico/CZ were 30 years ago. Will they try to take on Honda/Suz/Kawa in the SX and MX arena? I dont think so, but they do need to market bikes that wont embarrass a well to do amateur on the track. Again, this is pretty much the KTM market niche in the US right now. I hope to see the colors shift from Orange to Red at my local GP/XC and DualSport events over the next few years. There is no reason to let KTM own that niche.
Sounds good to me. I'm 250 miles into the middle of no where as far as Husky's go. Maybe Halls could open a branch here.
I would hate to see a husky just thrown in a dealership without a good business model. I think it is going to take alot of commitment and involvement to get things going to grow market share?
When Cagiva made OWL (my then local husky dealer) carry Ducati it was the final nail in the coffin. A street oriented dealership may have difficulty from both a marketing and product support standpoint to take on Husky. What Husky needs to do is get in bed with the rags like the big 4 + orange do.
I called my local BMW dealer and asked if they were going to start carrying Husky bikes and they said no. So I asked if I could order parts thru them and they said "Not no, but h#ll No!" Sounded like a nice bunch.
I say team up with the KTM guys. My local KTM dealer is a "stand alone" dealer and he needs more to sell. The Husqvarna's sell for $500 to $1000 less than a new KTM so Husky may snag some nice sales. As far as parts, service and accessories, it's all plus business for the KTM guys and they already have a bunch of the cross over and common stuff on the sales floor. Sure KTM won't like but but in this economy, these little guys are in survival mode. Just my 2-cents. John (Atlanta Ga)
I agree with you. I would love to see the smaller KTM shops also sell Husky's. I know it would benifit both.
