KTM Buys Husqvarna from BMW

In this changing economy, motorcycle companies appear to be trying to figure out what their long-term markets are. Just who are their customers? What bikes will be popular? Some companies are getting rid of their assets. Others are eager to buy these same assets. The latest deal has KTM buying a much smaller company, Husqvarna, from BMW. Here's an excerpt from an article by John Burns of CycleWorld.com that gives the details:

"BMW and KTM each sold around 100,000 motorcycles in 2012, while Husqvarna moved almost 11,000 units. That 15.7-percent growth for Husky apparently was not good enough for BMW. From BMW’s press release: 'In the context of changing motorcycle markets, demographic trends and increasing environmental demands, BMW Motorrad will expand its product offering to exploit future growth potential. The focus of the realignment will be on urban mobility and e-mobility.' Translation: Maybe the company was wrong to think it could get yuppies to like dirtbikes?" -- John Burns, CycleWorld.com

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