After our article on August 29, 2002, several of our readers in Sweden (as well as a few readers from other countries) wrote regarding KTM’s decision to move production of Husaberg motorcycles to Austria. You can feel the emotion and sense the pride, and sadness of the Swedes in their words. Sweden has a proud tradition of motorcycle manufacturing that includes the glory days of Husqvarna.
- Swedish television channel one has today confirmed that the production of Husaberg Mc will be moved to Austria 2003. From model year 2004 will Husaberg be produced in Austria while the 2003 model will still be made in Sweden.
- I’m from Belgium and the marriage between Husaberg & KTM isn’t ‘strange’… Let’s put it this way, KTM had great enduro models and money, Husaberg no money and a great know-how in mx. Last but not least, Husaberg had Joël Smets as its rider.Very ‘strange’ but true, one year Smets destroys the field in the World Championship 500cc, the year after, just after KTM acquired Husaberg, he doens’t even finish most of the races…Also very strange that he couldn’t take back the bike of his previous year… ???
Anyway, suddenly there was no support anymore from Husaberg, and KTM decides to buld it’s own, new 4-stroke MX’er, it’s no that big a secret that they acquired Husaberg just to get the know-how and Joël Smets… Because Husaberg was/is? for sale about a year after KTW acquired it…
- Hello I´m from Sweden, and I read your site every day. I live in the area
where they produce Husaberg. I have heard that the workers at Husaberg have been working for a
devolopment of the production, you know by robots and so. They (KTM) has not been intrested in
any kind of devolopment for the production, like new machine´s, tools, education of people.
This is said by a man who have been working very high up in the company and
have quit when he saw what was happend (a year ago). This has been going on for a long time
In the newspaper here in Sweden can you read that KTM aint satisfy with the
economic situation at Husaberg, but they dont say anything why they dont have devolop the
production.
- The other day I heard on the news that they are going to close down the factory in Laxå. The new austrian boss claimed the manufacturing was only to be moved and that Husaberg will live on. I personally belive that’s BS. They want Husaberg out of the market.
KTM’s only interest when takeing over Husaberg some years ago seems to have been to erase an opponent and at the same time ’steal’ their superior technology. Just look at the KTM engines of today !! F*** KTM ! Long live Husaberg- The production of the 2003 models of Husaberg is still made in the factory
in Låxa and afterwards it is schluss with the factory in Sweden.Starting in 2004 the models of Husaberg come from Austria and Sweden will
lose another renowned market. Those we met during our commentaryjob at the
GP Sidecar MX in Varberg last weeks during our stay in Sweden commented when
asking about it by “shrugging their shoulders and mumbling something like:
its all a mather of politics.The leading Swedish MX magazine, RACE is also stating in an article in this
weeks issue that the Husaberg work in Mid Sweden will close by the end of
this seasson.
- Go to husaberg.org for all the latest on the Husaberg move. KTM states
Husaberg will remain a seperate entity. Quality of the husaberg bike should
improve vastly, I know!! I own a Husaberg FE400.- Regarding the rumours on Husaberg, I am very sorry to say that just a couple of days ago it was confirmed on the news that the Husaberg production will move to Austria.
Apparently, they will continue the production of MY ´03 in Sweden and gradually move production to KTM, to be completed with the introduction of MY ´04.
The personnel at the Husaberg plant have all been offered jobs in the new factory, but naturally very few will take this offer.
For Sweden as a motorcycle producing nation, this is very sad. Husaberg was established by former Husqvarna employees who did not like the idea that Husqvarna, established in 1903, was to move its production to Italy when Cagiva purchased the company. The success of the new company Husaberg, named after a very small town, was immediate and they have through the years taken numerous titles throughout the world.
When KTM purchased the company it granted for a stable economy in the company, but everyone of course hoped for the company to stay in the country. I am sure that the moving of the company is the right thing for KTM to do, but it is sure a pity for us in Sweden.
