BMW’s recent acquisition of Husqvarna Motorcycles coincides with the dirt bike manufacturer’s relative success in the U.S. market for calendar year 2009. According to a press release from Husqvarna (below), U.S. mortorcycle sales as a whole declined 41%, yet Husqvarna sales in this country were up 9% compared to 2008. Here is the press release from Husqvarna.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – While the U.S. motorcycle market endured some tough times as a whole in 2009, Husqvarna had a winning year on the track and in the sales department. “Retail sales were up 9% compared to 2008,” says Husqvarna Motorcycles North America President Mark Brady. “This was a phenomenal result considering that 2009 was our first full year of operation in the USA.”
According to the just-released industry sales figures U.S. motorcycle sales declined 41% in the past year, yet Husqvarna is happy to have bucked this negative trend. “Our sales accelerated through the end of the year, increasing 98% for the last two months of the year!” This late sales spike pushed Husqvarna up to 9% in y-t-d sales overall. “This is a true testament to both our dedicated dealers and great new products, such as the 250cc model range,” explains Brady.
Race results also helped keep Husqvarna sales on the gas. Great performances by Glenn Kearney in the GNCC series (not to mention winning the overall at The Little Brown Jug Enduro), combined with Canadian import Cory Graffunder’s EnduroCross podiums, Zip-Ty Racing taking Top 2-Stroke honors at the infamous Glen Helen 24 Hours and Adrien Chareyre capturing an X Games SupermotoX medal were all proud moments. However, the 2009 Husqvarna highlight had to be Desert Master Nick Burson winning the AMA D-37 Desert #1 plate and taking first overall honors at California’s legendary Elsinore Grand Prix.
“It is clear from the results that we put some early housekeeping in order, offered a top quality product and presented one of the best retail financing programs in the entire industry,” says Brady. He is quick to add that Husqvarna will continue with 6.99% financing for 2010 and even better bikes! “We have some exciting new models joining the range, including the all-new TE630 and SM630. We have also updated the popular 250 model range and we will be announcing some serious 2010 race series sponsorships shortly.”
