Bike India

Best Bikes in India | No.1 Two Wheeler Magazine

  • Home
  • News
    • Upcoming Launches
    • Latest News
    • New Bike Launches
  • Reviews
    • First Ride
    • Road Test
    • Comparison
  • Features
  • Our Bikes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • NG Auto
    • AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA
    • CAR INDIA
    • COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
  • Brands

Bajaj plan Indian market resurgence with introduction of Husqvarna

August 7, 2017 by Harket Suchde Leave a Comment

Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen and Vitpilen 2014 web 1

Bajaj Auto have been one of the mainstays of the Indian two-wheeler market, and have many fingers in many pies including a large swathe of the commuter segment and the entry-level performance space with KTM. They also recently launched a slightly more upscale (yet affordable) premium motorcycle in the Dominar 400. However, despite boasting of a diverse portfolio, intense competition and an ever-evolving market have resulted in Bajaj falling behind the pack a little in terms of sales volumes.

However, Bajaj have an ace up their sleeve to help arrest this trend, and climb back up to the top of the pile – Husqvarna. As we reported earlier the Swedish brand is coming to Indian shores and will be manufactured and exported globally from Bajaj’s facility in Chakan, much like KTM. Being a subsidiary of KTM, Husqvarna shares a lot of underpinnings with the Austrian brand’s products. The two bikes slated to enter the Indian market for example – the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401, utilize the same engine and frame as the 390 Duke. Both bikes have a more premium sheen than their Austrian cousin though, and steer away from the Duke’s supermoto design to a more café racer style approach for the Vitpilen and a more edgy, off-road ready style with the Svartpilen.

Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen 2014 web

What does the arrival of Husqvarna to India, under the auspices of Bajaj Auto mean for the latter though? S Ravikumar, President of Business Development at Bajaj recently spoke to Business Standard to explain. In the interview, he said that the Husky bikes, which will be acquire a more premium positioning in the market, and will be less extreme to ride than the KTMs, should attract more customers than KTM. This is because, according to him, there is no other brand or product occupying a similar space to the incoming Husqvarna bikes in India as of now. He also feels that the addition of the Vitpilen and Svartpilen to Bajaj’s portfolio will only serve to augment their current offerings, rather than cause friction between them and the 390 Duke or Dominar.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 2014 web

Will Husqvarna emerge as the success story that Ravikumar expects it to be? Only time (and the all-important pricing strategy) will tell. However, one thing is for sure, we can’t wait to swing a leg over these futuristic-looking machines from what is the second oldest bike manufacturer in the world.

Source: Business Standard

Harket Suchde – who has written 167 posts on Bike India.


Email • Twitter

Related posts:

Lumax Lubricants and Coolants Launched
Simple One Launched in India
Geoffrey Emmanuel in FIM World Championship JuniorGP

Filed Under: News, Upcoming Launches Tagged With: 2017, 390, 401, arrival, bajaj, bike, duke, Husqvarna, India, KTM, launch, new, premium, Svartpilen, Vitpilen

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AlphaOmega Captcha Classica  –  Enter Security Code
 ⟲    ➴
 


LATEST ISSUE

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

17TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

Triumph Street Triple 765 R and RS Review | The Best Street Triple Yet

Ducati Diavel V4 Review | Devil of the Mountain

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 first ride | Aspi Bhathena

SPECIAL Featured Story

Bookings Opened For New 2023 Yamaha Models

Bookings Opened For New 2023 Yamaha Models

Bookings for the new 2023 Yamaha models, the YZF-R3, MT-03, YZF-R7 and MT-07 have started across India. Yamaha dealers are accepting reservations for a refundable booking amount of Rs 3,000. In the coming months, these bikes are anticipated to make a formal appearance.

More about this.

Recent Posts

  • Lumax Lubricants and Coolants Launched
  • Simple One Launched in India
  • Geoffrey Emmanuel in FIM World Championship JuniorGP
  • Harley-Davidson X440 July Launch

Car India

Car India Magazine - Get your Digital Subscription

Latest News

Lumax Lubricants and Coolants Launched

Simple One Launched in India

Geoffrey Emmanuel in FIM World Championship JuniorGP

Harley-Davidson X440 July Launch

Subscribe to Car India

Subscribe to our Car India Magazine

Bike India: India’s no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

BIKE India covers the two-wheeler industry in its entirety, both from the local and the international perspective. Also delivers the most definitive verdict on machinery and performance by explaining the hows, whys, and whats on every new bike in a lucid and user-friendly manner. BIKE India is the India’s most authoritative two-wheeler publication, a magazine for people with a passion for bikes and everything to do with their history and heritage.
SiteMap

Copyright © 2023 · BIKE INDIA INDIA’S NO. 1 TWO WHEELER MAGAZINE, BY FAR! ·