At Rs 1.8 lakh, Husqvarna Swartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 priced close to KTM Duke 250

MUMBAI: We are two months into 2020 and the automobile industry is dropping one motown beauty after another. Bajaj Auto on Tuesday announced that the first two models under the Swedish brand Husqvarna will be sold at an ex-showroom (Delhi) price of Rs 1.8 lakh through KTM dealerships across the country.

The two motorcycles, called Swartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250, will be based on the same engine as on the KTM Duke 250, which retails at a similar price. In January this year, Bajaj sold about 700 units of the 250cc KTM motorcycle in the domestic market and exported about 300 more.

“The premium motorcycle segment has seen a strong growth in India over the last five years – almost 19% CAGR, with two broad classes of motorcycles - sporty high-performance motorcycles and lifestyle motorcycles with limited performance,” said Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd.

At launch starting early March, the Husqvarna twins will be available at 100 showrooms across 45 cities, Bajaj Auto said in a statement adding that over the coming five months the sales footprint will be expanded to almost 400 KTM showrooms across 275 towns.

“The Husqvarnas are meant for progressive riders who have an evolved taste, a strong appreciation for style and don’t want a compromise between performance and elegant design. We look forward to see Husqvarna replicate the success of KTM motorcycles by targeting a different and a complementary consumer segment,” Sharma said.

Bajaj has a stake of about 48% in Austrian performance bike maker KTM and manufactures and sells these motorcycles in India. It launched KTM motorcycles in India in 2012 through its Probiking business unit. KTM acquired Husqvarna in 2013.