My 2 cents worth? fletchman45 isn't far off. Pure market share play. The not Japanese $h!+ market only had room for one since the overall market for offroad bikes is shrinking due to 1. Urbanization 2. Shift in wealth from developed to developing countries 3. Environmentalists around the world succeeding in limiting places we can ride. Husquavarna was taking market share hand over fist from KTM who had gotten greedy. Notice how prices on KTM's actually came down this year? I am not a Husky loyalist I use to ride KTM when it came time for a new bike 95% of the bike for 60% of the price seemed like a good compromise. Apparently a bloody market share battle was deemed more expensive than a buyout. I think someone on the earlier thread said it best, now you can get KTM's in Orange and Black, Blue and Yellow and now White and Red.
If Husky doubled their sales by taking only KTM market share, KTM would only lose approx 10% share. I don't believe SP was concerned about Husky, he is more focused on taking market share from the Japanese. How...? see below. This perception will be the biggest challenge for SP, however, I have heard people say "just chose your colour" about the big 4 Japanese because they are also so similar. I think the question is how will SP use the common platform strategy between the three brands AND still keep them individual. If you have time.... read this white paper http://sandhill.com/wp-content/file...aperplatformstrategywillshapefutureofoems.pdf Then ask yourself: how does this apply to Dirt Bikes? Firsty, I believe the platform strategy will be harder to implement with Dirt Bikes than it would be with automobiles due to the minimal nature of bikes. A bike is generally only a frame, engine, wheels and minimal bodywork where a car could have exactly the same platform (chassis, driveline etc) but look completely different inside and out. Secondly, an everyday car purchase is based more on asthetics than it is performance and "feel". A dirt bike purchase is based more on "feel" than it is asthetics. For example: if you rode three apparently different bikes that were built on the same engineering platform, you wouldn't know if you had orange, red or blue underneath you when you are looking ahead.
IMO if SP thinks he will double Husky sales by making them red&white pumpkins he may b in for a surprise........
I know he'll be able to double sales just by disguising a KTM in red bodywork...I really hope he doesn't but the reality is that people will buy a husky if they find out its built by KTM. As it has been mentioned a lot already. There are way more orange bikes out there weather you like it or not. Even if he loses every customer on this forum he will double sales... I'm really not concerned at all. I really just love the Husky community. The bikes are great too but I like that I don't read about what a 16 year old is doing to his bike lol. There are plenty of brands out there and thankfully we have a lot of choices. Ducati is owned by Volkswagen and that doesn't make any sense but I still love Ducati's . I'm sure he'll do great things for husky and it sounds like husky has had some crappy owners before. I really wish BMW stuck it out though. They are geniuses in everything they do. I think this just cost a lot more then they had thought.
Think globally, not just USA... Something like 8,000 - 10,000 KTM 200 Duke's have been sold in India. He could rebadge a duke, call it a Husky and double sales pretty quickly. Remember, annual sales of Husky is approx 10,000 units. KTM is over 100,000. So the point is I doubt SP was concerned about Husky taking market share under the BMW banner even if they doubled sales... He seems more concerned about consolidating the Euro's to take market share from the Japanese.
I have a different perspective I didn't read the whole white paper Boogie posted but platform sharing only works when you have different needs in totally different market segments and you can realize economies of scale with common parts. Take VW Porsche Audi Skoda for example for the most part they are different vehicles for different markets Porsche was Porsche when VW Audi group acquired them same with Audi before that. Now they are able to realize some platform sharing to realize economies of scale such as engines basic components etc. Switching back to KTM, Husky and Husaberg there is no difference between them they were direct competitors to KTM look at their product line there is nothing Husky makes that KTM doesn't have the equivalent of. Husaberg and Husky innovated and that earned them a spot on KTM's hit list. Maybe Husky sells 10,000 bikes and KTM sells 100,000 but they barley had a dealer network established and the distributor had switched here in NA. They were already growing at a rate of 20% and add to that the factor of "well lets see, if Johns doesn't fall apart I will buy one as my next bike" and you have a bad scenario for KTM. My 2011 TXC 511 has more innovation than KTM had done in the previous 10 years to their bikes. Is it easier to kill a cub or a full grown bear? The reason SP is spinning it that way is so he has a good story for EU regulators when they start asking questions.
I agree with you. A true Husky purist I would think will not ride a KTM with Husky decals. But I suppose there are those who will. As much love and dedication I have had for this brand. I must step back for the time being. Parts may become and issue and I certainly will NEVER ride a rebadged KTM. I'm really not sure what is going on. But the easier to kill a cub idea over a full grown bear does make a little sense to me. I will continue to admire love respect and ride any pre KTM era Husky but thank god I popped for a Gas Gas at this point instead of the Husky.Husaberg? Who knows? I agree with FMF. And to all the KTM lovers I am sorry but in my experience the Husky is superior to a KTM in almost ALL aspects. Yes off topic a tish, but all pertinent information. Minus well stop rambling but more or less this is not a time to be happy, but to wake up and realize more a time for a moment of silence. I am so sick to my stomach over this orange pumpkin mess I think I need to use the toilet again
I'm still for thinking Mr. Pierer will let Husky be its own for the most part. He's smart enough to know that individuals like the unique fun of having a Husqvarna like nothing else, especially for race bikes. As far as street legal dual sports and adventure bikes, I could care less as long as they are great bikes. But I will only race a Husqvarna that's unique. The 449/511 may have had a BMW designed engine, but talk about a unique bike. He talked of keeping its heritage. I'm guessing he's smart enough to leave it like that and then the KTM guys will be wanting a HUSKY.
It does make sense to buy the company before they are a threat. Check the links to an article in the actual news thread I posted today... it seems Stefan has been waiting to purchase Husky well before BMW took the reins. How much of a threat were Husky to KTM 10 years ago? Well, anyway... I don't think Husaberg and Husqvarna will be merged unless the platform strategy fails. I have a feeling Stefan will pull it off and make some money from all this.
I'm pretty certain that Mr. Stephan doesn't believe that either KTM enthusiasts or Husqvarna loyalists have ever said "Boy, if only Husqvarnas were more like a KTM, I'd want to buy one."
Yeah, as long as it doesn't have only 2 wheels. BMW doesn't make a single motorcycle that I would want (with the exception, maybe, of the 1000RR, which ditches ALL of their "special" technology, extra weight, and just essentially copies the Japanese bikes). The only decent dirt bikes they ever made were stolen from Husky, and they have said they're not doing to play in that market anyway. I'm glad they got their hands off Husky before they were able to add 100 pounds, shitty suspension, and electronic gadgets to everything. On an unrelated note, I love all the guys that say "if they sell rebadged KTMs as Huskies, I won't buy one!" What are you going to ride? Vintage Huskies? Japanese 4-stroke motocross bikes? Stop riding? I will buy whatever bikes meets all of my off-road-riding needs, and I don't care what color it is.
They will probably try something like: Beta, Gas Gas, Sherco, TM, or something else I can't remember.
the real $$ are in base transport, 1 billion friendly nation of India folks are all needing the kick off base vehicle, you can bet there are a lot of Chinese built 125-350cc do all bikes hitting that market. Pierer and his India folks can have Bajjaj, KTM and Husqvarna badged bikes for the masses,,,,or for the classes, Bajjaj basic low rent, KTM middle class, Husqvarna brand upper class. There are so many theories to imagine. Mr Pierer is a very smart $$ man first, the rich people of the world (us weather you think it or not) dirtbike market is chump change compared to these emerging nation growing economy nations with a billion folks needing solid well built transport for their masses. Only Mr Pierer knows what Stefan is doing, but you can bet its smart, its shrewd and it will be profitable.
that's true, but... does that matter? i never understood what's so bad about being a "niche manufacturer", i am still not buying the "you need to be big in order to survive" mantra. just look at beta motor. they are going very well, and they build very cool bikes. r
I agree. It is like comparing McDonalds 1/4 ponder angus burger to your local mom and pop hamburger place. both sell hamburgers and both have a differentl level of sales, quality and following. Both are happy where they are but obviously want to maximize on their capabilities.
Good question on the niche market ... Why are some driven for more? Human nature apparently as it happens is all aspects of business .. Husky selling 11,000 dirt bikes for the next decade in some niche market probably sounds good to many now ... Why not purchase another small dirt bike company other than Husky?
Joe, Can I get a Huskyberger,medium, with fries, but hold the no linkage. I can always add lettuce, ketchup, pickles, mustard etc.... just like we always like it. Husky lost alot of riders back in the no parts days that are still on Ktms, that never came back. Still take a european bike over a jap one.
