Husqvarna Bikes To Make India Debut By 2020

After years and years of speculation, it finally looks like KTM will bring the Husqvarna brand to India. We can expect to see the exotic bikes on our streets by 2020, with production set to begin in late 2019, at Bajaj's Chakan plant. 

The Chakan plant already helps KTM in producing 1 lakh bikes annually. However, the company plans on increasing the capacity by another 1 lakh units for the Husqvarna brand. This will take the total capacity to 2 lakh units per year, for both KTM and Husqvarna.

Speaking at EICMA, Stefan Pierer, KTM CEO, said, "It has been agreed upon and they (Husqvarna bikes) should be launched in India by 2020. That means by the end of 2019 the manufacturing should begin at Chakan."

The Austrian company had secured a long-term license agreement for Husqvarna motorcycles from BMW, back in 2013. Ever since, it has been selling mostly off-road bikes in developed countries. However, now, it plans to enter the on-road segment.

KTM is interested in bringing bikes from 150cc to 390cc through the Husqvarna brand. Along with it, the company also plans to roll out the White Arrow and Black Arrow brands of Husqvarna from the Chakan plant.

In India, Bajaj Auto and KTM's partnership recently completed a decade. Under it, KTM has manufactured many of its products like the 390 Duke and the RC 390 at the Chakan plant and distributed these globally. Hence, we expect the Husqvarna brand to follow suit.