BMW stated reason for selling Husky was basically demographics. They claim that "urban mobility and electrics" where they intend to put resources is the wave of the future and how to compete at the high margin end.
I'd call a lot of that simply wishful thinking.
A $10K scooter that is more expensive to maintian than a std motorcycle isn't going to be more than a niche item. And I'd bet we're still a full decade or more away from the kind of electric motorcycle or even a hybrid that would attract attention from most riders. Sure, one can always find a few early adopters, eco freaks or whatever to sell to but that's a long way from a viable approach to the mainstream...
I could easily understand dumping Husky because the dirt bike arena is lower price point, lower margin and would consume resources out of proportion to potential profit but the other reason looks like an invention rather than reality..
Yet Marc Cook in the latest Motorcyclist notes that current Terra is a whole lot better bike than his much modded Suzuki 650 so apparently the current Huskys are good machines- be intersting to see what the new owner does with the brand and who is selling it eventually. I'll bet there are at least a few annoyed BMW dealers who signed on to the brand only to have BMW abandon it- and are now likely to get more pressure from BMW who want a one brand. one focus shop...
I'd call a lot of that simply wishful thinking.
A $10K scooter that is more expensive to maintian than a std motorcycle isn't going to be more than a niche item. And I'd bet we're still a full decade or more away from the kind of electric motorcycle or even a hybrid that would attract attention from most riders. Sure, one can always find a few early adopters, eco freaks or whatever to sell to but that's a long way from a viable approach to the mainstream...
I could easily understand dumping Husky because the dirt bike arena is lower price point, lower margin and would consume resources out of proportion to potential profit but the other reason looks like an invention rather than reality..
Yet Marc Cook in the latest Motorcyclist notes that current Terra is a whole lot better bike than his much modded Suzuki 650 so apparently the current Huskys are good machines- be intersting to see what the new owner does with the brand and who is selling it eventually. I'll bet there are at least a few annoyed BMW dealers who signed on to the brand only to have BMW abandon it- and are now likely to get more pressure from BMW who want a one brand. one focus shop...