KTM to Manufacture Husqvarna Bikes at Chakan Plant from 2017
Published On Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM By Sameer Sheikh
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The Austrian Motorcycle maker, KTM, is garnering appreciation for its Duke and RC range of motorcycles, which are being produced at Bajaj Chakan facility near Pune. Now, the news has come out that the company is working on starting the production of Husqvarna motorcycles here in 2017. Though, the Austrian bike maker has no plans to launch these motorbikes in India and will export them in the global market.
Reportedly, KTM along with its partner Bajaj, who has 48 percent stakes in the company is planning to produce on-road motorcycles under the Husqvarna brand. Husqvarna is known for off-road and dirt bikes. As per the company officials, these Husqvarna models are primarily developed to target European markets and the company has no plans to bring them to Indian market as KTM itself is not completely established here. The expected models that are likely to be manufactured at the facility include - the Vitpilen and Svartpilen range.
Earlier in January 2013, KTM had acquired Husqvarna from BMW and renamed it from Husqvarna AG to Husqvarna Motorcycles GmBH. Indian Auto maker, Bajaj owns a little less than a half (48%) of the entire stake in this joint venture and the Chakan plant is jointly owned by both the companies.
According to Chief Executive Stefan Pierer, “The focus was previously on off-roaders. Now we are developing on-road models which are partly based on the engine platforms we are doing together with Bajaj. In model year 2017, we will launch the first models in Europe and then in US. We are looking at how it works and then rolling out globally, coming basically back to India.”
“We are getting engines and components for the models from Chakan for assembly in Austria initially. Later on, India could be part of the production plan. It is a step-by-step process,” he further added.
Presently, KTM has 262 dealerships across the country, which is by far the highest for any premium motorcycle brand. Along with this, the manufacturer is aiming to introduce 88 more outlets by next year and expects to sell 30,000 units in the current year as compared to 23,000 units sold last year.
