Husqvarna's future bright: PFG

The Australian importer of Husqvarna motorcycles says the company has a bright future under KTM ownership, but questions over remain over local distribution rights.

As we reported a month ago (here), the holding company that owns KTM has purchased direct rival Husqvarna from BMW, solidifying its place one of the world's largest manufacturers of premium off-road motorcycles.

Although full details are yet to be revealed, the deal will see Pierer Industries take complete control of Husqvarna, which is not currently profitable, while BMW says it will focus on “urban mobility and e-mobility” in the form of road bikes, scooters, dual sport and touring models.

Speaking at the local launch of the all-new TR650 Strada and Terra adventure models (here), the chief of Australian Husqvarna distributor Paul Feeney said there was no question the 100-year-old Italian-based Swedish bike brand would remain independent under KTM ownership.

“The only thing we’re sure of is they’re going to keep the two companies separate,” he said. “The (Husqvarna) brand will continue, that’s for sure. Husky’s going to have a very strong future under KTM ownership.”

In fact, while KTM stands to gain a bigger share of the European market and access to the technology BMW invested in Husqvarna models such as the Nuda, Husqvarna models based on KTM platforms and possibly vice-versa are also likely to eventuate from the deal.

However, Mr Feeney said it was unclear whether Husqvarna’s new owners would proceed with BMW’s aggressive model plans.

“We haven’t got a lot of information about the purchase of Husqvarna by KTM. The future was looking very bright, from what I’ve seen of the models planned over the next 12 months.”

Mr Feeney said the future of local distribution arrangements, including Paul Feeney Group’s in Australia, remained unknown until the KTM-Husqvarna purchase met legal requirements.

“Until the anti-trust is done, which will hopefully be by the end of this month (February), we’re not in a position to say exactly what’s going on,” he said.

“We obviously want to be part of the future for Husqvarna and I hope that will be the case, but unfortunately I don’t have anything in writing yet.

“Obviously they’re going to focus on the dirt bike side of things, which is our background and Husqvarna’s background. It’s business as usual and we’ll keep pushing forward until everything’s announced.”

Mr Feeney indicated the KTM purchase had come at a difficult time, over the top of the launch of Husqvarna’s first adventure bike, which is expected to become the brand’s volume-seller in Australia and following substantial investment in PFG’s new 1000 square-metre headquarters at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast just two years ago.

Originally a Swedish brand, Husqvarna was bought by Italian-based Cagiva/MV Agusta in 1987 and continued to be headquartered at Varese in Italy following BMW’s purchase in 2008. It will celebrate its 110th birthday this year.

Mr Feeney said BMW ownership had been good for Husqvarna, despite early fears over distribution rights.

“We’ve been down this road before. I probably got a lot more nervous with the BMW change than the KTM one, because we thought BMW was probably more likely to take over distribution from Melbourne, but from the outset they told us that wouldn’t happen.

“Husqvarna’s time with BMW was very beneficial because the whole company has now been restructured.”

Paul Feeney Group is an independently owned company which distributes Husqvarna motorcycles via 52 dealers nationally and also imports TGB ATVs. Husqvarna launched its first road bike, the Nuda 900, in Australia last year and -- until now -- its local mainstays have been its TE enduro bikes and TC motocross models, plus WR, CR and TXC variants.