Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant will start manufacturing Husqvarna motorcycle from 2015. Stefan Pierer’s holding company, Pierer Industrie AG, last week bought the Swedish off-roading motorcycle company Husqvarna from BMW for an undisclosed amount.
Stefan Piere plans to have a common platform that will be shared by KTM, Bajaj and Husqvarna. He wants to go the Volkswagen way which owns many car brands under them and share the same platform and engines. This results into a low cost of manufacturing and building economies of scale.
“First Husqvarna motorcycle will be launched in India in 2 years. Proposed Husky model for India to be made at Bajaj’s Chakan plan will use joint engine platforms of Bajaj-KTM for Husky models. Joint-engine platform to be used for 125cc-200cc segment for Husqvarna,” Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM, said.
He also mentioned that the acquisition of Husqvarna is a win-win situation for both the companies and will help KTM-Bajaj Auto alliance grow. Currently the KTM Duke 200 and Pulsar 200NS share many parts in common. There will be a possibility of Husqvarna rolling out a 200cc off-road or street motorcycle in 2015 as they will have a ready platform to build on.