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BMW Finally Acquires Husqvarna Motorcycles |
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File under BMW Husqvarna
Author: BMW Press Release
Location: Normandy, France
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BMW will acquire the renowned motorcycle company Husqvarna Motorcycles. Dr. Herbert Diess, General Director of BMW Motorrad, and the Italian industrialist Claudio Castiglioni signed a contract on 19.07.2007 in Italy. The contractual agreement will come into full effect upon final approval of the EU cartel authorities. Both parties agreed that the purchase price was to remain confidential.
For BMW Motorrad the acquisition of Husqvarna Motorcycles is a logical step in enhancing the company's activities in the field of light, sporty motorcycles, which has recently been reinforced with the new models of the BMW G 650 X series. Commenting on BMW’s decision to acquire Husqvarna Motorcycles, Diess, General Director of BMW Motorrad, stated: “With the Husqvana models targeted at the sporty competition, we will be able to extend the BMW Motorrad range to include younger groups of customers as well as the entire off-road and supermoto sector much more quickly and effectively than with our core brand alone. This transaction also provides us with direct access to a worldwide sales network in the off-road segment."
BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, will remain in place at its present location in the region of Varese in northern Italy.
Just as BMW Motorrad, Husqvarna Motorcycles is steeped in tradition and one of the most renowned motorcycle companies in the world. Motorcycles were initially produced in Sweden from 1903 and in Italy from 1986. Today the company is one of the leading suppliers of sporty off-road motorcycles. In the course of its history, Husqvarna Motorcycles has achieved numerous international racing victories including European and World Championship titles.
BMW Motorrad produced and sold over 100,000 motorcycles for the first time (production: 103,759 units, delivery 100,064 units) in 2006. The production program includes only large-volume motorcycles over 500 cc. BMW Motorrad is the largest European manufacturer in this segment. In 2006, BMW Motorrad achieved sales of 1,265 million euros, with pre-tax profits of 66 million euros. BMW Motorrad employed an average of 2,816 staff worldwide in 2006.
Husqvarna Motorcycles is part of the Italian company MV Agusta S.p.A. and produced some 12,000 motorcycles in the capacity range of 125 to 610 cc in 2006. The focus of the company's model program is on sporty off-road motorcycles which are equipped solely with single cylinder engines. Husqvarna Motorcycles employed a workforce of approximately 240 in Italy in 2006.
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| Legacy (Old) Comments |
1) Rene' Ner said on:
(20/07/2007 15:46:57 GMT)
email:Rene' Ner | website:
BMW Finally Acquires Husqvarna Motorcycles
As much as we love to get the likes of F650 - X Country, we would need a ladder to ride it. This big market of people with average length legs can only reach seat heigths of around 32 inch, not 37 inches. Congrats and best wishes on BMW-Husqvarna tie up. Rene ' Ner
2) Tom Fitzpatrick said on:
(21/07/2007 00:37:08 GMT)
email:Tom Fitzpatrick | website:
BMW Finally Acquires Husqvarna Motorcycles
Let's resurrect the Supermono, with the same purpose and style as the original Ducati.
3) remiacid said on:
(22/07/2007 16:39:32 GMT)
email:remiacid | website:
BMW Finally Acquires Husqvarna Motorcycles
Glad to see BMW acquire Husqvarna! Maybe parts will be eaiser to get with an already well established BMW chain in the US. Hopefully both side are willing to share information in order for both to grow. BMW can further their 450 enduro while hopefully Husqvarna moves forward with their crc 650 and one day maybe to return to Isle of Man...Both are WEC bound, good luck.
4) ciel said on:
(16/08/2007 02:47:14 GMT)
email:ciel | website:
BMW Finally Acquires Husqvarna Motorcycles
I am not understand why BMW not buy Augusta from the previous owner Proton (Malaysia car producer who also own the Lotus) with Euro1 ? Does there got any insider dealing on these two transactions?
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