Production of Husqvarna motorcycles to commence in Chakan by end of 2018
Bajaj Auto and KTM have released an official statement declaring the global roll out of Husqvarna motorcycles in 2018. Production of Husqvarna motorcycles will commence in Mattighofen, Austria in early 2018. The Austrian bike maker will start off with the launch of three Husqvarna motorcycles - Vitpilen 401, Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 701. Towards the latter half of 2018, the production of the 401s will be transferred to the Bajaj Auto factory in Chakan. As far as Indian market is concerned, Bajaj Auto is looking at placing the Husqvarna brand parallel to KTM in India and Indonesia.
Founded in 1903, Husqvarna was initially owned by BMW but after the global financial crisis in 2008, the company sold it to KTM in 2013. In 2016, the brand has managed to sell 30,000 units. Renewed focus on the Husqvarna brand, and expanding it to reach a larger audience is sure to help draw larger numbers. This isn't the first time Bajaj Auto has revived a motorcycle brand. The company had 'saved' KTM from bankruptcy 10 years ago.
Currently, Bajaj produces the Duke and the RC range in Chakan and they are being distributed globally by two partners. A total of 1,00,000 KTMs are expected to be produced in India this year, with the addition of the Husqvarna brand, Bajaj Auto expects this number to double in the years to come.
Bajaj is among the top two-wheeler manufacturers in India currently. The Chakan-based two-wheeler manufacturer has released their monthly sales number for June and it reflects a 23 percent decline in sales. The have managed to sell 2,44,878 units in June 2017.
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