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Captain

Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
66
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
I heard this week that our local importer and distributor will no longer be the local agent, as KTM Austria has decided to give it to the local KTM distributor, which has just sold 26% to KTM Austria.

This is very sad news for Vic, the current agent as he has put his heart and soul into Husaberg S.A. The service and servicing has been nothing but fantastic; KTM Austria will not find a better Husaberg patriot in S.A.

On the flip side KTM S.A. has very good market share and maybe, IF KTM S.A. decides to market Husaberg here and not let it die a slow death; all speculation, it might be good for the brand. However it will loose the "family" feel it currently has.

Is this an international trend?
 
Since 99 or 00, can't recall exact, Husaberg has been distributed by the KTM importer (of that time) here in The Netherlands. Not much was done promotional wise, a friend of mine wanted to buy a fe400 in 2003 but was directed towards the ktm400. He bought one in Germany instead. Since a few years KTM distribute themselves. So now they are a very large KTM dealer/Husaberg importer/Sherco importer and for a few years they also were GasGas importer. Sudddenly many new old models were offered and a bit more is done for the brand (maybe to get rid of the old models only like 02-03-04?)
I have seen some dealers list only these old models and no 06, maybe the profit is better on old models. The importer website also still lists 04 models, nothing newer.
You see plenty guys being sponsored by them on KTM (either full or partial) but only 1 on Husaberg. And that guy works for them.
I haven't done much with them as I used to get parts through Germany but the stuff I did order from them, was all in stock. So partswise they seem to be ok.
 
sometimes these things come down to husaberg saying that they're ready to 'go/expand' and the importer saying that he won't put all his savings into it but will let it grow 'organically'. this is too slow for mattighofen and so you get a swop.

we had a lot of trouble here in the UK over the last 20 years with BMW and Volvo and the like all demanding that the dealers hold £1M of stock and have so many 1000s of pounds worth of spares.

they get fed up with this investment and have to decide wether to stick as a main dealer.

often it isn't worth it and i've a good freind who has shrunk back from 4 dealerships to 1 and only just hanging onto his business.....

sounds like the SA importer was a good man and probably a realist!

regards

Taffy
 
I am not sure what the justification for the swop of distributors is, but I can say that I have never had to wait for any spares and South Africa is a long way from Europe thus if spares are not in stock they would take a whistle to get here; Vic alway's has stock.

As for growing the brand in S.A., KTM S.A. is very capable; willing I am not so sure about. S.A. is a small market anyway and the "Exotics"; Husaberg, Husqvarna, Gas Gas, Beta, Sherco battle to get any sort of market share as South African consumers are very conservitive; actually painfully difficult, and Husaberg S.A. has done better than the rest in a short time, actually Vic was commended on his growth by Husaberg HQ; Ironic!!

That being said KTM is a strong brand now and only a few years ago(10) was also considered an "exotic".

So all the current Husaberg owners will have to wait and see what happens.

Anyway taking it away from Vic was in my opinion a mistake!!!!!!!
 
Hi Captain,

I do agree with you it is a terrible shame that the agency was taken away from Vic. As many Berg riders here in SA will tell you Vic is a first class guy and always willing to help and give advice.

I am very good mates with Vic, but we must however look at the pro's and con's of Husaberg being taken over by KTM.

From what I have been told by KTM is that they intend putting alot of money and effort into promoting Husaberg, and I reckon if they put half the effort into Husaberg like they have KTM, we should see alot more yellow bikes in the bush.

Vic's pricing has always been mch cheaper than KTM even though most of the spares come in a KTM box. I am currently rebuilding my entire motor and got pricing from KTM and to my surprise the prices have remained the same.

The other benefit is that KTM have actually reduced the prices for new bikes, combined with the fact that we can now get finance. This should really open up the market. I know a number of friends who would love to own a Berg but were never in a position to buy it cash, hence they had to buy another brand, which they could finance.

I can't really say it's a good and bad thing that has happened, but we will certainly benefit in some areas and loose out in others.
 
Howzit mountaingoat
I think we are the only South Africans on this site, anyway I am still waiting for Pro-action to give me a price on a 380 kit for my 450; bin waiting for 3 weeks.
Good news for Husaberg SA is that Michael Kok will be on a berg for the Motard des nations and I also heard Butch is puting an off-road team together.
 
Well I think the motard team should be great, try and get some yellow bikes out on the track. The nice thing with Butch is that if he has decided to put these teams together they will be supported properly.

I am looking forward to seeing more Berg's in the bush, right now I'm like a lone ranger out there with my bike.

You should have a chat with Owen in spares at Pro Action. He is only concentrating on the Husaberg side. I know they doing stock take today and tomorrow but monday you might come right.
 
Hey guys - another boerseun here. Just bought a 650e from Pro Action -basically over the net - I am in Nigeria for 4 weeks - but they being a bit slow on their mails.We can only hope for the best with them handling and not Vic. I do feel he got screwed though.
 
Hi Guys
Are there any Husabergs available in ZA with the 70° Engine.390,450 ore 570?
Not urgent but let me know if you hear anything pls.
 

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