Just as I was starting to lose the faith - this news is both timely and positive. It makes a lot of sense to do this thereby maintaining separation between both the KTM and Husaberg/Husqvarna distribution and dealerships which will allow both to survive and prosper. Good strategy which should lead to marketing success and I get to keep my existing Husky's rolling on into the future. I withdraw my previous criticisms of SP. The downside is the loss of the factory and the impact on its workers along with the end of an era for Husaberg. Sadness on both counts here. Like Husky, Husaberg has a rich history and racing heritage which deserves its own place in the sun. I also feel really bad about the italian workers and hope that somehow Cagiva / MV Augusta can re-build something out of the ashes. In a perfect world I would have liked to have seen Husky being retained in Italy and managed as a unique and profitable business unit under the umbrella of the KTM mothership. Not to be. However, at least this outcome is better than allowing Husky to wither and die on the vine which was what I was fearing the most.
Have you got a link to the press release? Found it. http://www.enduro21.com/index.php/component/k2/item/1064-husqvarna-husaberg-reunited
More info, sam e news http://supermoto-central.com/index....breaking-news-husqvarna-and-husaberg-reunited
It is good to hear of some positive news finally. But the distributorship here in Oz is going to be somewhat interesting, being that Husaberg was handled by KTM Aust and Husqvarna by the Paul Feeney Group. So will it shift to KTM or remain where is ? The other question is what happens to those dealers now that have Husaberg and or Husqvarna ? I've been told by a dealer in Queensland that there will some 2014 Berg models coming but nothing after that. Certainly will be an interesting next six months.
More info http://www.bonmotoren.nl/pdf/dealer_letter_Husqvarna.pdf I am very sad I will not buy any new Husky who is produced by KTM, it going to be a red/white ktm with some minimal changes! RIP Husqvarna
This should be positive for everyone. No details yet, but they would be mad to change the existing status quo. Let KTM be KTM and Husky be Husky(/Husaberg). It would make no sense to change the existing PFG arrangement either, they have done a good job. KTM should invest and build on what they already have in place and a bit of positive & healthy rivalry and competition between KTM and Husky/Husaberg would do no harm and be a good thing. Doesn't KTM Aust run their distribution/logistics through the third party provider? If that is still the case, both PFG & KTM would draw from the same warehouse and instead focus their energies on parts supply, dealership & technical support, marketing and race team support rather than running a big warehouse & logisitics and all the overhead that goes with it. They need to make announcements quickly to stop crazies like me crystal ball gazing.
KTM has a history of going manufacturer direct. I bet that PFG is the Dist for a couple more years, but will be gone within 5 yrs. KTM will go in house with distribution for sure.
Husqvarna may be dead in your eyes, but I see in this letter as a signed charter for an exciting future for a company that has stumbled for decades. Stefan Pierer has the right formula "brand new exclusive design". He has stated before that he understands that not everyone wants to ride the orange bike. I believe he knows the market is too sophisticated to accept a clone. I'll wager that Husky's get their own frames and suspensions. The engines may share cases but not cylinders,heads and efi. The new Huskies will look different and have unique performance characteristics from the KTM,s.
I agree with Howard's assessment that the bikes will be not be clones. I am anxiously awaiting the launch in October and will keep my eyes out for spy photos!!!
I for one have seen Husqvarna standing the --Test Of Time -- and am sure they will get right back on track where they belong . As for seeing the great work Husky has done in the supermotards that BMW Closed down is but a positive step in the right direction imho ---
Hopefully 'state of the art' stuff is what husky had under wraps in the first place. Remember when everyone was getting all fizzed up about new two smokers?
I dont know how anyone could see this as a bad thing. The last few years in my opinion, Husaberg had too little difference to the KTMs. I hope they will take this merger and share some major parts like engine cases, wheels, forks, etc, but allow Husky to be a mostly separate brand with a different design than KTM. However it turns out, even IF the new Huskys become nothing but rebadged KTMs, the people who are complaining about that should be happy Husky will continue to exist at all, in any form, they could just as easily disappeared completely.
looks like my Boise Dealer is on the wrong end of this... Got rid of Husqvarna and now carries Husaberg....
