Official: BMW sells Husqvarna to Stefan Pierer
Official: BMW sells Husqvarna to Stefan PiererNews of Husqvarna's sale to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer was met with much skepticism yesterday. It shouldn't...
News of Husqvarna's sale to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer was met with much skepticism yesterday. It shouldn't have been. Here's the official press release announcing the move.
Strategic realignment at BMW Motorrad
Sale of Husqvarna Motorcycles to Pierer Industrie AG
Munich. The BMW Group is realigning its BMW Motorrad business. In the context of changing motorcycle markets, demographic trends and increasing environmental demands, BMW Motorrad will expand its product offering to exploit future growth potential. The focus of the realignment will be on urban mobility and e-mobility. By restructuring the segment, the BMW Group will concentrate on expanding and utilising the resources of the BMW Motorrad brand. Therefore the BMW Group signed a purchase agreement with Pierer Industrie AG (Austria) for the acquisition of Husqvarna Motorcycles. The acquisition will proceed subject to approval by anti-trust authorities. Both companies have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
Expanded offering for urban mobility and e-mobility
BMW Motorrad achieved a new sales record in 2012. With the realignment of its motorcycle business, BMW Motorrad aims to maintain profitable and sustainable growth over the coming years. Its current core business consists exclusively of premium vehicles in the categories “Tourer”, “Enduro”, “Sport”, “Roadster” and “Maxi-Scooter” from 650 to 1600 cc. BMW Motorrad entered the urban mobility segment for the first time in 2012 with the C 650 GT and C 600 Sport maxi-scooters. The next step in the expansion of the product line-up in this segment will be the series launch of the “C evolution” electric scooter in 2014. Further innovative vehicle concepts are also under consideration. Drive trains will include both environmentally-friendly combustion engines and pure electric drives. This move by BMW Motorrad reflects the BMW Group’s overall focus on early identification of trends, such as megacities and traffic density, as well as environmental issues. Corresponding products and services are already available for the Automobile segment.
Continuation of product offensive
In addition to the expansion in the field of urban mobility, core segments from the 650 single-cylinder entry-level bike to the 6-cylinder luxury tourer will also be selectively expanded.
But why? Nieuwsmotor.nl spoke to BMW's head of product communications, Manfred Grunert, who stated, "Due to the enormous downturn in the offroad market, BMW has decided to focus purely on BMW Motorrad, so on road models of over 600cc. Never say never, but in the short term, BMW will therefore not return in the offroad segment."
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Husqvarna Introduces The Brand's Latest Motocross Lineup, And It's All Throwback Colors
'It's All the Same': MotoGP Racer Explains Why Insane Speed Stops Feeling Fast On Track
This Tiny Two-Stroke Is A Reminder Of How MotoGP Champions Used To Get Their Start
KTM's Adventure Rider Rally Is Turning 21. Here's How To Join The Fun This Year
Someone's Hiding Tire Spikes On Off-Road Trails. And The Type Is Literally Medieval
This One Place Just Drew A Hard Line Between E-Bikes And Electric Motorcycles
People Searched For a Woman Missing for 3 Days. Then Some UTV Drivers Took a New Trail