Husqvarna could return to Ph this year

Vitpilen 200, 401 and 701 to be offered

This Swedish motorcycle manufacturer, Husqvarna, could be returning to the Philippines. Formerly offered in the country by another distributor, the Swedish brand, owned by KTM AG since 2013, could be making a comeback.

During the KTM Philippines Convention in Palawan a few days ago, one of the display motorcycles that caught our attention was the Husqvarna Vitpilen. The first new model from the brand in a long time has stirred interest among riders due to its radical new design.

With its presence at the convention, the question arose: will KTM Philippines bring its sister brand back into country? Our source says, yes.

“And since it shares the same platform with the current Duke 390 and 690, the Vitpilen lineup (Vitpilen 200, 401, and 701) is also going to be produced here in the country,” he added.

“Oh, by the way, they [KTM Philippines] will also be able to produce the Vitpilen 200 locally, which will be based on the Duke 200,” confirmed our source, with excitement.

Some of you may remember that Motopinas.com first brought up this possibility two years ago. Now, that may become a reality very, very soon.

When asked about the release date and price of the Vitpilen, our source said that KTM is considering a launch date coinciding with the launch of the KTM Adventure 790 in May. As for the price, “there is no SRP yet as of the moment” said our source.

Husqvarna is using their new range of "Real Street" motorcycles including the Vitpilen and Svartpilen to diversify from their focused heritage of building competition-ready dirt bikes, enduro motorcycles, motocrossers, and supermotards.

The Husqvarna brand has had a tumultuous history, both locally and abroad. Founded near the town of Huskvarna in Sweden in 1689, the company started out as a maker of muskets. The Husqvarna logo still depicts a gun sight viewed from the end of the barrel. Husqvarna first began producing bicycles in the late 19th century. In 1903, they made the jump to motorcycle manufacturing. Husqvarna continued producing motorcycles well into the 1980s. In 1987, it was sold to Cagiva, under the MV Agusta group. Under MV Agusta, it spawned the Husaberg brand; essentially Husqvarnas manufactured in Italy. In 2007, Husqvarna was sold to BMW. BMW planned to offer Husqvarna as a more accessible yet still premium motorcycle brand under the BMW Group. However, in 2013, the company was acquired by KTM. Production moved from Italy to Austria. However, KTM decided to terminate the Husaberg brand. Since then, Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles have been sharing platforms and components.

Granstar Motors had distributed the Husvarna motorcycles (alongside KTM models) in the Philippines for a few years in the past, offering the TR 650 series and Nuda 900. However, complications made it difficult for Granstar to continue the endeavor. Since then, the Ayala Group has acquired distributorship rights for KTM motorcycles in the country. With an already established customer base and loyal fans in the country, the possiblity of Husqvarna returning is finally closer to reality.