When the BMW Group sold the Husqvarna brand to KTM, KTM refused to continue production at the Italian plant in Biandronno (Varese). A state-of-the-art factory and finished engine designs were suddenly left without a brand.

Engineer Ampelio Macchi (a veteran of Cagiva and Husqvarna) secured the naming rights to SWM and found the necessary financial partner in the Chinese Shineray Group. Unlike many other revived brands, SWM is actually assembled in the old Husqvarna factory in Italy. SWM uses the proven Husqvarna engine concepts (four-stroke fuel injection) for its enduro bikes (RS 300/500) and supermotos (SM 500). It is also catering to the trend toward retro bikes with air-cooled models that are visually reminiscent of the old Sironi machines.

SWM had to cease production. An attempt to rescue the company under the name SVM (Società Veicoli Milanese) lasted only a few years before the brand disappeared completely from the market.

Frenchman Gilles Burgat wins the Trial World Championship on an SWM. It was a historic moment, as he broke the decades-long dominance of Spanish brands (Bultaco, Montesa).

Through Belgian SWM importer Joel Robert, Jean Claude Laquaye from Bultaco joins SWM and immediately wins the title in the highly competitive Belgian 250cc championship.

Two-wheeler Gröger (Günter Gröger) takes over SWM general import for Germany from Schwaiger.

SWM begins distribution in France under its own SWM label alongside BPS. Importer Gérald Caro founds SWM France.

SWM switched from the Sachs engines it had used previously to Austrian Rotax engines. The models in the RS-GS series (enduro) and RS-MC series (motocross) were considered to be at the cutting edge of technology at the end of the 1970s. They were light, agile, and delivered enormous power.

SWM is the only Italian manufacturer attempting to compete for most of the season in the World Championship. Walter Brissoni scores points in seven GPs. Finishing ninth overall is a respectable start in this class.

Gottfried Schwaiger (Italo-Motor) mit Sitz in Baden-Baden übernimmt den SWM Import nach Deutschland.

Piero Sironi and Fausto Vergani found S.W.M. (Sironi Wergani Motori) in Rivolta d'Adda. From the outset, Sironi and Vergani relied on high-quality engines purchased from Sachs in order to concentrate on developing superior chassis. These were built by Verlicchi.