Husky/KTM Merger - Parts Future for TR650?

[mag00]

Please consider with some salt.

I purchased my Terra not too long ago. They were sold out in Tucson, with no more coming in. I called most dealers in CA looking for a fair price, and all dealers were telling me there will be no more, and thus were not negotiating on the price.

The dealer I bought from had 9 Terra/Strada in customs turned back due to paperwork in regards to the sale. KTM could not get cooperation with BMW to remedy and the fines at customs were hefty every day that they were not cleared.

I did as much research, talking to dealers, internet search etc, and NONE of the USA dealers on the left coast can seem to get any more at this time. The word rumbling around is that BMW did not sell the TR650 to Peirer. The deal, according to the same people who had to approve the sale due to antitrust issues, had to include 10 years of parts.

The unsubstantiated fact is that BMW did not want their motor showing up in a competitor. Not hard to understand why they would not sell that off.

What other details of the sale are, without getting hold of the contract, we may never know, and only know what is passed on through speculation of others higher in the food chain, and that may not be true either. As far as production of a 2014, nope. There is mention that some of the unshipped ones may be badged as a 2014 and available to other countries while the supply lasts, but not the USA.

My Local Beemer dealer was getting ready to sell Huskies also, and that does not look like it will happen according to the folks at BMW.

So other than rumor, hearsay and conjecture, the below article is really all I can find.

 

[mag00]

I just fired off an email to BMWgroup, maybe they will respond. Can't hurt too bad

 

[Aaron Simpson]

Im not going to worry about this anymore. Im confident there wont be any parts issues, resale will be fine and I love my bike.

Think I'll go for a ride, its raining and I don't have to work

 

[pkplex]

<sarcasm>
I don't think you're going to get bolded confirmation on anything.
</sarcasm>

Hah, chill out. The only reason it was bold was because I accidentally pressed some random key combo (Command-B I think) and it made it bold. Would not toggle back, even clicking the bold button.

 

[mag00]

Got a reply back, now it is up to Pierer.

Dear (my name),
thank you for your e-mail.
The whole Husqvarne brand including all of its models was sold to Pierer Industrie AG in Austria.
Best regards
BMW Motorrad Direct Tobias Sperl
-------------------------------------------------------
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Vorstand: Norbert Reithofer, Vorsitzender,
Milagros Caiña Carreiro-Andree, Herbert Diess,
Klaus Draeger, Friedrich Eichiner, Harald Krüger,
Ian Robertson, Peter Schwarzenbauer.
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: Joachim Milberg
Sitz und Registergericht: München HRB 42243
--------------------------------------------------------

 

[Abby]

Got a reply back, now it is up to Pierer.

Dear (my name),
thank you for your e-mail.
The whole Husqvarne brand including all of its models was sold to Pierer Industrie AG in Austria.
Best regards
BMW Motorrad Direct Tobias Sperl
-------------------------------------------------------
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Vorstand: Norbert Reithofer, Vorsitzender,
Milagros Caiña Carreiro-Andree, Herbert Diess,
Klaus Draeger, Friedrich Eichiner, Harald Krüger,
Ian Robertson, Peter Schwarzenbauer.
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: Joachim Milberg
Sitz und Registergericht: München HRB 42243
--------------------------------------------------------

I thought this was all already like, out and in the open. seriously motorcycle sales drama is as bad a surfing drama but at leas we know the people in vovled in the surfing stuff

so, also i don't get what the big deal is are people really that worried that there will only be one year of a motorcycle?

 

[chris1261]

I thought this was all already like, out and in the open. seriously motorcycle sales drama is as bad a surfing drama but at leas we know the people in vovled in the surfing stuff

so, also i don't get what the big deal is are people really that worried that there will only be one year of a motorcycle?

@Abby, the main issue I see with only having 1 production year is that aftermarket manufacturers won't be as inclined to make performance parts, racks, crash bars etc.

I'm glad I got mine while they are still available.

--Chris

 

[mag00]

I just fired of an email to Bajaj Auto. Maybe they will respond as BMW Group did. I inquired about the acquisition and possible future.

 

[Abby]

only having 1 production year is that aftermarket manufacturers won't be as inclined to make performance parts, racks, crash bars etc.

oh, so you mean like---the people will stop making stuff? isn't there a lot of stuff out there now?
i'm with you---I'm glad I have mine. my brothers keep stealing it, though. i went out yesterday to ride and the damn thing was gone.....and wasn't back for like 3 hours!!

i should get my borthers to come join here.

 

[chris1261]

oh, so you mean like---the people will stop making stuff? isn't there a lot of stuff out there now?
i'm with you---I'm glad I have mine. my brothers keep stealing it, though. i went out yesterday to ride and the damn thing was gone.....and wasn't back for like 3 hours!!

i should get my borthers to come join here.

Not so much stop making stuff, but never start. Try finding an aftermarket exhaust for our bikes. Because there aren't a lot of them in the world, manufactures are less likely to invest any development money into a market of so few customers. Take a bike like the klr, that's been made for 25 odd years, there are lots of potential customers for accessories. Our bike with a 1 year production run, not so many potential customers.

 

[mag00]

I thought this was all already like, out and in the open. seriously motorcycle sales drama is as bad a surfing drama but at leas we know the people in vovled in the surfing stuff

so, also i don't get what the big deal is are people really that worried that there will only be one year of a motorcycle?

You would think that, but in my research I did not find such things. I got this directly from BMW, and even a bit skeptical. If Bajaj confirms it, I at least know who to pester to revive or continue the model, should they be considering dropping it as the Nuda. We know the Nuda is dead. Bajaj does not want part of that market. The Terra and Strada has not been directly addressed, much speculation about it. Or at least I have not found any sources on the Terra and Strada.

And I obviously am not the only person who wishes the truth.

I did find some older news clips on Indian TV about the buy. Rajij gives the breakdown of how and what may come in the future, but this was before the antitrust approval, and before the actual deal.

I will do what I can to get some light on it. I don't like passing wrong info, and I don't like reading it either. I would like to know the future of the best model of motorcycle I have owned. I may go buy a second one, if they are truly not producing them again.

 

[kjackbrown]

oh, so you mean like---the people will stop making stuff? isn't there a lot of stuff out there now?
i'm with you---I'm glad I have mine. my brothers keep stealing it, though. i went out yesterday to ride and the damn thing was gone.....and wasn't back for like 3 hours!!

i should get my borthers to come join here.

Lol...every time I read your references towards your bro's I totally picture them as Thing 1 and Thing 2!


Man Dr. Seuss must have really messed me up as a kid!

 

[Abby]

Lol...every time I read your references towards your bro's I totally picture them as Thing 1 and Thing 2!
View attachment 27385

Man Dr. Seuss must have really messed me up as a kid!

wow that's funny. i'll pass that along.....that just might make them join!!

 

[Coffee]

Hah, chill out. The only reason it was bold was because I accidentally pressed some random key combo (Command-B I think) and it made it bold. Would not toggle back, even clicking the bold button.

It is a java script thing. When editing select all text (possibly using Control-A), then click on the eraser to remove all formatting.

 

[msmith345]

You would think that, but in my research I did not find such things. I got this directly from BMW, and even a bit skeptical. If Bajaj confirms it, I at least know who to pester to revive or continue the model, should they be considering dropping it as the Nuda. We know the Nuda is dead. Bajaj does not want part of that market. The Terra and Strada has not been directly addressed, much speculation about it. Or at least I have not found any sources on the Terra and Strada.

And I obviously am not the only person who wishes the truth.

I did find some older news clips on Indian TV about the buy. Rajij gives the breakdown of how and what may come in the future, but this was before the antitrust approval, and before the actual deal.

I will do what I can to get some light on it. I don't like passing wrong info, and I don't like reading it either. I would like to know the future of the best model of motorcycle I have owned. I may go buy a second one, if they are truly not producing them again.

I might be wrong, but it's my understanding Bajaj owns 40 some percent of KTM. Pierer Industrie Ag bought Husqvarna and I believe that's also how Pierer has the majority stake in KTM, under that company. That would put Bajaj as having no influence on anything Husqvarna. Their influence goes towards KTM alone, with models such as the baby Dukes. That's not to say Pierer Industrie Ag will not contract to Bajaj to build the bikes, or components of them, but they should not have any stake in the company, to my knowledge.

 

[Dr_Rock]

I must have been imagining this, but I thought that ROTAX had engines made at Loncin where the TR650 engines come from. I thought maybe KTM would just keep that relationship going...why not?

 

[mag00]

I saw a January interview with Rajiv on a website that was from Indian TV broadcast news. Pretty much in line with this older article I found while looking for the interview.

Bajaj Auto's Austrian partner firm KTM Auto announced that it would acquire 100% of BMW's off-road niche motorcycle brand Husqvarna. The acquisition would be made by KTM Auto's parent firm Pierer Industrie AG. The development would come as a big boost to the country's second largest two-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto.

Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto, says that our increase in the equity position at KTM is a reflection of our belief that we are a motorcycle specialist. We see ourselves as a power house of motorcycles. We like to be present in every meaningful segment of the motorcycle market across the world.

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

In the interview, Rajiv was more specific on the relationships between all players. There is alot more to it than you might think, and this is only a part.


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."
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/bajaj-auto-ktm-to-roll-out-husqvarna2-years-_818643.html

I cannot pin anybody down on the TR650. It sure can't hurt the model to show interest in it.

 

[AUS_TR650]

This morning I called Paul Feeny group which are the Husqvarna importers for Australia and spoke to their sales director............

If PFG are so positive about the future, why didn't they mail out letters to all new Australian Husky owners who have purchased TR650's to allay rumours? Very poor PR; not even a release on their website.

They'll struggle to sell now. That's why Strada's are $9K rideaway. They must be disappointed that even with $500 cashback they couldn't crack the top ten sales for 2013 1st quarter Aust bike sales Adventure Touring category.

 

[mag00]

ktm anual report

http://company.ktm.com/fileadmin/corporate/pdf/investor_relations/reports/en/ktm_gb2011_E_WEB.pdf

Cross industries anual report
http://www.cross-ag.com/fileadmin/c...nternehmen/berichte/en/cross_GB2011_E_WEB.pdf

If you look at these pdf's you will see mentions of Brainforce, and I have run accross them more than once in my info quest. Wonder how they play in this or if they are just another offshoot.

 

[nev..]

If PFG are so positive about the future, why didn't they mail out letters to all new Australian Husky owners who have purchased TR650's to allay rumours? Very poor PR; not even a release on their website.

I'm not sure I understand why they would need or want to do that. What is the advantage to them, or to existing owners. Surely the rumours only affect prospective buyers? I already have a TR650. Why would I care, unless it was going to stop working?

They'll struggle to sell now. That's why Strada's are $9K rideaway. They must be disappointed that even with $500 cashback they couldn't crack the top ten sales for 2013 1st quarter Aust bike sales Adventure Touring category.
View attachment 27408

Looking at the competition, the top 10 is a very competitive and that is a huge market segment now with plenty of choice. Due to the TR650 being split between Strada and Terra, They'd be listed individually, so what's not published is a side of the story that you can only speculate on. Assuming all sales were reported, they sold somewhere between 0 and 44 Terras and 0 and 44 Stradas. That combined total might be 0, or it might be 88 (ok it won't be over 44 because there were no Stradas in Australia in Q1. The Yamaha Super Tenere is not on that list either, so the TR650 is in some pretty good company, because the Super Tens are selling like hotcakes.

The Australian sales figures don't take into account (the importer) PFG underestimating how popular the Terra would be. They already admitted that they underordered bikes for the Australian market. They struggled to meet the initial demand, so many Q1 orders would not have been fulfilled until Q2, so I think the Q2 figures will be a much better indicator of the true market position.

The $500 cashback wasn't offered by PFG to increase demand. Someone at PFG told me that that offer came direct from the factory and was just being passed along to the customers here and from memory was on the entire fleet of Huskys, not just on TR650s. They even considered not offering it on the Terras because they were selling and could not even meet the initial demand, so the Q1 sales volume should not be construed as a failure of the cashback offer either.