It was in July 2017 that Bajaj Auto had announced that it would be rolling out Sweden based Husqvarna motorcycles from its Chakan plant in Maharashtra in 2018. The models to be made at Chakan will be the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 motorcycles.
The decision was jointly taken by Bajaj Auto and Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM in order to celebrate their 10th anniversary of strategic partnership. Bajaj Auto holds around 49 per cent stake in KTM Power Sports AG (holding company of KTM Sportmotorcycles AG.
“We hope to bring to bear upon global markets the individual strengths of the partners including brand position & perception, design & development technology, quality & cost competitiveness & worldwide distribution. This new global partnership will enable Triumph to significantly expand its global reach by entering new higher volume market segments, especially within the emerging markets across the world,” Bajaj Auto said in a statement to the Indian stock exchanges on August 8, 2017..
“Bajaj will gain access to the iconic Triumph brand, and its great motorcycles, enabling it to offer a wider range of motorcycles within its domestic market and other international markets. Triumph and Bajaj are excited by the opportunities of this partnership and the prospect of entering new market segments, thereby reaching a whole new group of motorcyclists across the world,” the note further added.
Currently Triumph Motorcycles operates out of India as a fully owned subsidiary and assembles its motorcycles in Manesar, Haryana. Triumph motorcycles sold in India include the likes of Tiger family, the Rocket III, Thunderbird family, Street Triple family, the Bonneville family, among others.