The BMW Group is realigning its BMW Motorrad business. BMW says that in the context of changing motorcycle markets, demographic trends and increasing environmental demands, BMW Motorrad is "expanding its product offering to exploit future growth potential".

BMW says that the focus of the realignment will be on urban mobility and e-mobility. By restructuring the segment, the BMW Group wants to concentrate on expanding the BMW Motorrad brand. Therefore the BMW Group has signed a purchase agreement for Pierer Industrie AG (Austria) (owned by KTM Promoter Stefan Pierer) to acquire Husqvarna Motorcycles. The acquisition will proceed subject to approval by anti-trust authorities. Both companies have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

BMW Motorrad achieved new sales records in 2012 and hopes that with the realignment of its motorcycle business, the company can maintain profitable furture growth.

Its current core business consists exclusively of premium vehicles in the categories:

BMW Motorrad entered the urban mobility segment for the first time in 2012 with the C 650 GT and C 600 Sport maxi-scooters. The next step in the expansion of the product line-up in this segment will be the series launch of the “C evolution” electric scooter in 2014.

BMW say that further innovative vehicle concepts are also currently under consideration. Drive trains will include both environmentally-friendly combustion engines and pure electric drives. This move by BMW Motorrad reflects the BMW Group’s overall focus on perceived trends, such as megacities and traffic density, as well as environmental issues. Corresponding products and services are already available for the Automobile segment.