It is 10 years since KTM and Bajaj Auto of India started their strategic partnership, and the two have now announced a collaboration to take Husqvarna Motorcycles worldwide, with a global roll-out in 2018.
The collaboration will also see KTM and Husqvarna branded motorcycles produced in India increased from the expected 100,000 units in 2017 to over 200,000 units in the next years. The Duke 125, 390 and RC 125 – 390 are produced in Bajaj´s production facility in Chakan/India and distributed by the two partners globally.
Husqvarna sold over 30,000 units in 2016 – a record for the brand – and Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM AG, and Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto Ltd., have decided to build on the success achieved so far, and, in the long run, no doubt exploit the opportunities presented by the new fuel injected 2-stroke engines.
The first models, Vitpilen 401, Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 701 will be produced in Mattighofen, Austria, and launched in early 2018. Later in 2018, the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 production for the global markets will be transferred to Bajaj’s Chakan factory. Bajaj aims to sell Husqvarna Motorcycles at a similar level as KTM products in India and Indonesia.
In November 2007, Bajaj Auto first acquired a 14.5% stake in KTM Power Sports AG (holding company of KTM Sportmotorcycles AG), and increased its stake to 47.96 percent in 2013.
