Indian motorcycle blogs are repeating a rumour that started around Christmas: Husqvarna’s street bikes are going to be built in-country there, possibly at the Bajaj factory.
Where the rumour started is unknown; India’s moto-press has never been afraid to jump on gossip and start a media feeding frenzy. The basic story seems to go something like this: In December, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer (technically, the owner of Husqvarna) said they planned to develop their new Vitpilen and Svartpilen street models around engine platforms built in conjunction (they seem to plan to build units in Austria around built-in-India motors).Then, Bajaj invited some enthusiasts to their factory and made some broad hints about big changes coming in the next couple years.
Putting II and II to get IV, Indian motojournos are now claiming the ultimate plan is to build the machines in India, top-to-bottom, without shipping the motors to Austria.
For now, though, it’s still just rumour. KTM/Husky are certainly strengthening their ties to the Indian motorcycle manufacturing sector. Whether that means we can expect made-in-India Husqvarna street bikes is another question. But, the very fact we’re talking about the possibility shows the dramatic shift the motorcycle industry has undergone since the 2008 financial crash.
The seat looks very incomfortable
Well shit, cheap labor wins again boys and girls! Let’s give unethical human rights a round of applause!!! ?
Can`t build them in Austria and sell them at thousands $ more than their KTM counterparts.