Reuters news has reported that entrepreneur Stefan Pierer, who owns a majority stake in KTM, is buying the Italian-based Husqvarna from BMW. Pierer also owns Husaberg.
BMW purchased Husqvarna in 2007 to diversify and sport-up what some might call staid product line with the Italian-based Husqvarna’s bikes. But the market in Europe declined by nearly half after the deal, and BMW never saw the results they were looking for from Husqvarna acquisition.
On the other hand KTM, has a strong position in the off-road, dual-sport market segment. Pierer claims KTM has 30% of the global market share in motocross and 50% in enduro.
Background
The Husqvarna brand originated in 1903 in Huskvarna, Sweden as an armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1699. In case you were wondering, the motorcycle Husqvarna brand was split from the chainsaw and sewing machine company some time ago.
More reading
