KTM/Husqvarna... now how will this play out?

How i read it, seems like Bajaj does have a controlling interest. Again I don't see why their KTM would compete technologically with the designs of the past Husqvarna. I'm afraid husky will end up like Husaberg; expensive and very similar to KTM, where KTM stays the premier brand. R&D will be shared and tested on the smaller production models and then moved onto KTM. I'll be staying tuned over the next while.

+1...thx for all the info guys. Some very solid intel.

".....BRRRRING...BRRRRING....HELLO- HUSQVARNA CUSTOMER RELATIONS, HOW MY I HELP YOU?..."

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/ktm-buys-husqvarna-huskys-may-roll-outchakan_816338.html

With reference to the above article, you can bet on two things in the medium to long term:

1) Yes, Bajaj WILL keep and market the Husqvarna name and brand, because per year it is worth another 10k -15K units ... units built 95% from the KTM parts bin.

2) The Husqvarna bikes will be nothing more than some form of re badged KTM's, a la Husaberg, because that is how they will utilise the synergies.

It is irrelevant wether Bajaj kill the Husqvarna brand or keep and grow it, because ultimately we will be left with KTM kit under one name or another be it Husaberg, KTM of Husqvarna.

Think european again! Let's try to pull rug out on japanese market share.

And it will be "In House" service now.

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/industry-news/2013/01/31/bmw-sells-husqvarna/

Different angle than the previously posted article..

didnt realize the KTM 125cc and 200cc were being manufactured in India. interesting. is that the motor only or what?

Huh?

Audi DEFINITELY plays in a different market space than VW. You can debate "build quality" all you want, but the fact of the matter is that Audi plays in a higher market space than VW. Is there some overlap? Absolutely. Does this mean VW is crap or Audi is perfect? Absolutely not.

I'm not offended IF they go this router with Husky (low-cost option). Half the damn reason a lot of us own Huskies is because we didn't want to spend $10k on a KTM; let's not act all offended all of a sudden by the fact that Huskies are cheaper.

I don't really care if KTM owns Husky. I don't even care if they share some resources. However, I WILL be very sad if Husky becomes another rebadged KTM (like Berg), not because I have any problem with KTM (seems like a lot of folks here are very anti-KTM, which I am not), but simply because I like having multiple players in the market. It gives riders options, it gives racers more competition, and it keeps manufacturers honest.

If Husky retains some independence, this could be really good. KTM certainly has a FAR better understanding of how to run an off-road racing team than BMW does.

move it all to india. im serious.

they have the IT, manf infrastructure, excellent, smart, focused hard as hell working labor force that dont take 16 weeks vacation a year and do it all for pennnies on the dollar. i guarantee the quality will go WAY up if it's built to spec.
im serious. if they took the tooling and plants and moved it all to india in two years BMW would be WTF?? how do we do that?

india blows the sht outa the EU and china by a LARGE margin. they are the new world player and buddy leme tell ya, hells a poppin over there and you'd do wise to invest in them.

i say go for it. i hope what i read was true and india takes it all over, sooner the better. i also read nowhere in any of this the brand would homogonise with ktm. bajaj was pretty clear about the brand seperation.

only negative is BMW financing will proly be bye-bye. they were easy to deal with.

Think you'll see husky and ktm dominate the off road segment globally.

Might have two rigs competing and sharing resources, but that's ok. Its all in raising the bar.

Two heads are better than one,unless your siamese twins and want to go opposite way.

sorry guys and gals just had to.

sorry one last time...

These various "news reports" reflect the lack of business/financial coverage of this industry. Many questions: What is the status of KTM facilities; newer updated factories, where is their infrastructure capital being spent? Same for Husky. I have the sense from somewhere that their Italian plant is very modern. What has been Bajaj's recent trend re moving production of major recent car acquisitions to India? Where are their motorcycle production facilities? How much of KTM is already in India? What is the board makeup of Cross and KTM? Nationality of senior management and staff? Any recent senior personnel moves involving Bajaj, Cross, KTM, Husaberg, Husqvarna?
I agree, much more to follow. In the meantime, glad that I am not a struggling dealer trying to allocate scarce inventory capital/credit vis a vis Husky, KTM, Husaberg; particularly if required tooling for service requirements is likely to change. I know that the required tooling for Strada/Terra has put off some Husky dealers.

I think these are 4 stroke street models being sold in India and Asian markets.

When I call Husky for customer service I hope I dont get that same guy I got when my internet went down.