BMW sells Husqvarna to KTM CEO Pierer
In a move to realign its BMW Motorrad business, the BMW Group signed a purchase agreement to sell Husqvarna Motorcycles to Pierer Industrie AG (Austria). The acquisition will proceed subject to approval by anti-trust authorities. Both companies have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Pierer is also the majority owner of Husqvarna rival KTM.
BMW Motorrad set a sales record in 2012, and with the realignment of its motorcycle business, BMW Motorrad aims to maintain profitable and sustainable growth.
Its current core business consists exclusively of premium vehicles in the categories “Tourer,” “Enduro,” “Sport,” “Roadster” and “Maxi-Scooter” from 650 to 1600cc.
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 lineup 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.
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 also will be expanded.
