from motocrossactionmag.com
"In an two-part interview in "Cycle News," KTM CEO Stefan Peirer revealed some of his plans for Husqvarna (which KTM bought from BMW several months ago).
(1) In the future Husqvarna will focus on its motocross and offroad roots. That means no more 900cc street bikes, Steve McQueen concept bikes, Stradas or twin-cylinder machines.
(2) Two-strokes will play a big role in Husky?s future with new 125cc, 250cc and 300cc motocross models coming. Peirer made reference to projects already in the works at Husqvarna, which implies that the engines will be proprietary to Husqvarna?not shared with KTM and KTM-owned Husaberg.(3) Word had already leaked out from Husqvarna that they have a revised 250cc four-stroke engine already built for 2014, but Peirer added that they will also have a 450cc four-stroke (to replace the horrible Taiwanese-built BMW 450 engine).
(4) Production of the motocross and enduro models will stay in Italy, but R&D will move to KTM. The Husqvarna plant in Italy is fully automated and virtually new, thanks to BMW?s investments, but it is assumed that at some point KTM would consider moving all Husqvarna production to a cheaper and less union driven country...but where?
(5) The answer could be India. There will be a Husqvarna branch in India. Bajaj, which partners with KTM on the 125 Duke, 200 Duke and upcoming 390 Duke, will introduce a Husqvarna line of dual-purpose bikes for the Indian market. These bikes will be made in India, where the Bajaj/KTM plant has the capacity to build more bikes than they are currently producing. That will give Bajaj three nameplates in the Indian market (Bajaj, Husqvarna and KTM). It is assumed that KTM will be at the top of the pyramid price-wise with Husqvarna second and Bajaj at the entry-level.
(6) Husqvarna will make a big-bore single-cylinder four-stroke, in the 650cc to 690cc range, for the popular supermoto market in Europe.
(7) Existing Husqvarna dealers will be given the opportunity, where possible, to take on the Husaberg line. This will give Husky dealers product to sell while the Husqvarna product line undergoes development. It will also give the dealers more experience with the KTM way of doing business."
To read the whole interview go to
www.cyclenews.com.
