...more crap to digest...ProveSportNewsTurismo21/02/2013The number one BMW and KTM reveal the whole truthGALLERY12thFOTOStephan Schaller (BMW): "The terrain has little future and priority is urban mobility" Stefan Pierer (KTM): "Husqvarna and Husaberg share engines. They will live models 650 but not the Nude 900. We will focus a lot on Supermotard and not on the Cross "
The passage of the Husqvarna KTM (actually in the hands of Stefan Pierer, President KTM) has written a great deal, even on Motociclismo.it (click here), but the truth is that nobody knows exactly all of this (the workers of Cassinetta are among those who would like to know more, for example). But we, thanks to our friends at Motorrad, we are able to give you first-hand information, provided directly from the number one of the houses involved in the handover of Husqvarna. And you find really cool stuff.
INTERVIEW WITH STEPHAN SCHALLER, NUMBER ONE BMW MOTORRAD
Mr. Shaller, how many bikes sold in 2012 Husqvarna?In total? 10,751. 9,656 private customers.
As explained by the sale?Husqvarna bought when the market was in good health, was traveling at a high level of sales. With the onset of the crisis scenarios have changed, and sales dropped by up to 50%. Then to complicate matters came the crisis of the euro. Take, for example, Spain and Italy, the drop in sales for all it was vertical. Sell models has become very difficult.
What has changed so much since 2007 in the market of off-road motorcycles to convince the sale?It's a question of brands. The motorcycle world is evolving quickly. There are strategic reasons behind the sale and not just economic. The last few years we had to reposition the brand BMW Motorrad. It changed the market, the demographics of bikers, ecology with increasingly stringent regulations ... we must strengthen the offensive of urban mobility.
Yet Husqvarna has established itself with models like the Nuda, the 650. Why the sudden transfer?The market leaves little room to off-road pure, so we developed road models. But to be honest, in this segment we see a lot more potential hidden in the BMW brand.
But BMW Motorrad will continue to supply engines for the Nuda 900 and 650 Strada?It's a question of product to which I can not answer time and applies to new owners.
What can we expect in the coming years by BMW motorcycle?The BMW Group wants to develop Mototrrad BMW models to purely road. We want to develop tourer motorcycle, enduro travel, sports and roadster. Point. Already this year will see new models. Then we develop mobility. So we will focus sull'elettrico and hybrid engines.
Interview with Stefan Pierer, OWNER HUSQVARNA
What new products have in mind for Husqvarna?We want to create a full range of off-road racing models. Husqvarna has its roots deeply embedded in off-road, we will not revolutionize his DNA.
All fans agree: the range is in urgent need of a refresh. You can transfer the know-how to KTM Husqvarna?Yes, of course. Look at the automotive world. There are completely different models from outside such as line, design, interiors. Then lift the hood and see that they have the same engine, the same. This is what we imagine for Husqvarna. We could also imagine a greater sharing technique Husaberg (KTM-owned since 1995, ed) both have similar roots and origin in Sweden.
Despite the market trend, Husqvarna still has a strong appeal among fans: I will respect the tradition?Certainly. KTM has its roots in Motocross, or rather let me say that he almost invented, and not cannibalize shall understand this heritage with Husqvarna.
How will you organize the sales force?It's all on the table, final decisions have not been taken. But one thing I can assure you: we will not sell through dealers Husqvarna KTM. Husqvarna will have their points of sale.
What will change in the range?I would keep for good models 650 and Route. But Husqvarna also has a huge potential in the segment supermoto-Sport, I would see a good new model of this type. The Nuda 900 has not sold well, for me it is too far from the roots of the brand. He paid dearly for BMW super competence in the field of road. And with the experience of the KTM twins are convinced that a dealer would not be happy having to sell a similar model.
