The Real Reason KTM Bought GASGAS And HUSQVARNA!

It's easy to assume that big companies always want to buy out their competitors. To assume a monopoly. I used to think like that about KTM and its relationship with GasGas and Husqvarna. But actually, sometimes, the truth is not what we think of... So strap up, and come enjoy the ride to finding out the real reasons behind these acquisitions!

0:00 Intro
0:20 Husqvarna in trouble
1:45 GasGas in trouble
3:48 What KTM wanted from them
4:38 Brand Positioning
6:57 The Real Reason
8:40 The Sad Reality

Thanks to everyone for watching! If you liked it, please leave a like, subscribe to this channel for more and drop us a comment! Also, give us a follow on:

[KRANKiT]

I know a lot of you mentioned Husaberg as missing from this story ... well, a bit late, but better late then never, I just released a new video going into their history too!

[tjhell]

I understood KTM acquired Husqvarna and GasGas to spread the sales volume across separate entities and therefore reducing the impact of EURO emissions standards. Apparently you have to sell over a certain number of units of a model before the stricter standards kick in. I believe this is why Sherco and Beta are still able to produce carb bikes because they don’t do sufficient volume to be subjected to the standards. This is probably why the rumours of Sherco developing Fi for future 2 strokes.

[williamberndt]

Before KTM purchased Husaburg their 4 strokes were boat anchors. The first RFS motor was a representation of that merger. Husaburg got quietly put to sleep.

[mariusadrian]

The saddest thing about KTM buying Husqvarna is that they stopped the production of Nuda, most likely because it was using a BMW engine. That bike was (and still is) one of the most beautiful bikes ever made. P.S: You forgot to mention the acquisition of Husaberg by KTM

[TheKitchenTechnician]

Very insightful commentary on the state of the motorcycling industry. I just recently bought a new 2023 Beta 300RR. The decision did not come lightly. After four Japanese dirt bikes in the last seven years I wanted a 300cc two stroke enduro. It had to have a counterbalanced, wide ratio, six speed, electric start motor, and a hydraulic clutch. The Japanese manufacturers seem to refuse that this enduro class even exists!? It’s truly mind boggling! I narrowed down my decision between the Beta and the Sherco as I wasn’t prepared to kneel at the KTM altar, or drink the cool aid as the saying goes. I also liked the simplicity of the carbureted motors. The GAS GAS was in the running but, alas. I am very happy with the decision, as it always looks to me like KTM changes it’s designs way too often and seems to use it’s legion of dedicated buyers as product testers. Or to be less polite, Guinea pigs.

[c.a.marsupial.]

The Husqvarna 401 led me to buy the Duke 390. So they may connect each other in certain ways. Psychologically when I realised they used the same engine I became interested in the KTM because like you said Husqvarna had a good name in my mind . Put the two together gave me the confidence to go for a none Japanese motorcycle for the first time in my life. And I'm so glad I did. Duke 390 is a great bike. I'll subscribe to see what else you have.

[alexfrankl]

As a former owner of Huskies up to 08 and currently have a 2013 125 Husky and a 13 and 18 GasGas 300, the bikes were and id argue the 18 is still a better bike than a Kato, superior suspension and reliability, the worry is Kato has shares in Rieju too, if they finally take them over too we'll have another WP suspended pogo stick, offer the Gasser with premium KYB i might be half interested. GasGas was going mainstream and had traction in sales in Australia, the bikes were great.

[DAZUNIVERSALINDUSTREIS]

Such a hidden gem of a channel, keep up the good work and you’ll be in the millions!

[pepabukas]

Dude Thanks for the info.. Now i know Why.. Glad, i bumped into your Channel bro.. Done subs..

[elball]

I owned several Cagiva Huskys and they were great bikes. Dont forgot it was Husky that first brough light weight "race ready" DOT legal bikes to the states. KTM basically canceled BMW out of Dakar and Rally, so BMW tried to counter by getting into the dirt bike market with some innovated tech, but soon realized that no-one was going to by a BMW off road dirt bike. They bought the Husky name (only the name) from Cagiva.to help sell the bikes and take some market share from a fast growing KTM. BMW soon found out that not alot of people were going to shell out $9000(us in 2009 ) for a quirky machine no matter what the label on the tank said. BMW did bring some innovation that has found its way into offroad and SDV bikes of today. BTW - SWM is still building updated versions of the Cagiva Husqvarna's in the same Italian factory under the SWM brand.

[yglnvbrs]

Quality of those vids is approaching fortnine levels, surreal to see such a small amount of views and subsribers

[garbageman]

these are some awesome videos! with content this well made you will soon be recognized as a popular motorcycle content creator!

[thetruthserum]

ISO9001 - All these bikes are basically identical except for the color of the plastic... R&D folks at the top podium companies have been shaving improvements into these bikes for years, but the podiums are mostly a product of the riders themselves. The top companies find the top riders, get the podiums, and get the sales... These top riders then guide the engineers to push the envelope. Any innovations should show up as patents which then could either offer an edge, or could be licensed out to other companies until the IP expires... Let's look a a list of patents that one mfgr has over another and start comparing from an engineering perspective...

[Kelly-oqnh]

So well done. You are talented!
Subscribed

[WillPower]

I have a red KTM. I like my bike very much. Gasgas EX300

[zwyczajnyziumus]

Bro! You’re making awesome content. :)

[sidwithstuffs]

Great video mate, shud I call you Fortnine lite.

[vxevxe]

You can still buy parts from KTM that come in boxes marked KTM/Husqvarna/Husaberg.

[Dashriprock]

I own an Italian husky and a new 2022 gasgas. It's interesting to compare the build quality and design of the two. There's a 14-year difference so the packaging of the vehicle is definitely more advanced and better on the gas gas but the actual quality of componentry and build is just as good on the Italian husky. So far both bikes have been trouble-free.

[FaithandActiondotnet]

Yeah great video topic...still not clear on why KTM would buy them. But I'm so glad to have my nice resurrected Husky FC450!! (I have some Swedish heritage with a distant German relative & a godmother in Italy!)