In July 2020, Husqvarna Motorcycles India (under Bajaj Auto) sold 725 units in the domestic market while exporting 1,053 units
Husqvarna Motorcycles India launched its very first products, Vitpilen 250 and Svartpilen 250 towards the end of February 2020 at a starting price of Rs 1.80 lakh ex-showroom (now cost almost Rs 1.85 lakh). The ~250cc motorcycles share internals with KTM India’s popular 250 Duke naked sports motorcycle. Both KTM and Husqvarna single-cylinders are manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan manufacturing facility.
The Indian automotive industry is making a gradual recovery from COVID-19 and sales charts have been witnessing a gradual increase in the last couple of months. However, figures continue to remain considerably lower than pre-COVID trends.
The pandemic had brought several businesses to a standstill in its initial stages. But most companies have now become accustomed to the ‘new normals’. For instance, almost all major automakers have started online sales platforms as a safe and smooth alternative for purchasing a new vehicle.
Husqvarna Motorcycles India sales – July 2020
Husqvarna India Sales / Exports July 2020 vs July 2019
Coming back to Husqvarna Motorcycles India, the Swedish-origin two-wheeler brand sold 725 ‘250’ units on the domestic market in July 2020. On the other hand, exports hit 1,053 units since it also manufacturers ‘200’ and ‘401’ models for foreign markets. Husqvarna ‘200’ models (spied a few times) borrow their power plant from the KTM 200 Duke while the bigger ‘401’ range is basically KTM 390 Duke units in a shell designed by KISKA, a renowned branding and designing company based in Salzburg, Austria.
In total, Husqvarna Motorcycles India sold 1,778 units in July 2020. However, this is over 200 units less than the sales performance in June 2020 (which saw 1,996 units). Both the Svartpilen (almost a scrambler) and Vitpilen (almost a cafe racer) are expected to arrive in ‘200’ and ‘401’ formats by the end of this year.
Key features & specs
Besides an interesting styling approach, the Husqvarna ‘250’ neo-retro siblings sport an exposed trellis frame, full-LED headlamp, forged aluminium triple clamps, WP USD forks, 5-spoke alloy wheels, single-pod digital instrument console, dual-channel ABS, slipper clutch, etc. As mentioned before, it employs the same engine as KTM India’s ‘250’ models: 250 Duke, RC250 (export-only) and 250 Adventure (in the works).
The 248.8cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder motor generates 30.57bhp @ 8,000rpm and 27.4Nm @ 6,500rpm. This is mated to a 6-speed transmission.
It was only recently that KTM India upgraded the 250 Duke with a full-LED headlamp (same unit as on the 390 Duke). Prices currently start at Rs 2.09 lakh ex-showroom. In other words, the ‘250 Huskies’ undercut it by roughly Rs 24,000, thus offering appreciable value for a mass-production single-cylinder sports bike.
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
