BMW buys Husqvarna

German firm buys Swedish dirtbike makers from Italians

Word reached from those lovely people at MV Agusta in Varese, Italy, that the firm has sold its Husqvarna subsidiary to BMW. Husqvarna, originally a Swedish firm, has been making big, hard dirt bikes for decades, including some real corkers. But it hasn't had such a big profile since being taken over by Agusta, and this could be just the jump both firms need. BMW's made a lot of cash from its enduro bikes over the years - especially the GS range. Adding Husqvarna's high-performance stable of proper offroad racers will expand its remit further in this direction. And some German rigour applied to its affairs can only help Husqvarna.