KTM Troubles

[mangocrazy]

The buck stops with the guy at the top, whether he's 'stepped back' or not. He sets the overall tone, and he will make the executive decision to pursue options (or not). A fish rots from the head down.

[ChrisW]

Everything I've heard suggests that Pierer is behind the strategy.

[Horse]

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/202 ... b-closure/

UK have confirmed they are ending their Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Experience ahead of 2025, after a five-year partnership with the expansive mid-Wales venue.

A spokesperson for the UK arm of the orange brand told MCN that the decision had not been made as a result of the current ‘self-administration’ financial process being undertaken at KTM’s Austrian headquarters, however it remains a blow for customers wanting to experience off-road biased product in a controlled environment. KTM say they will focus on providing better test ride opportunities at shows including the Adventure Bike Rider Festival.

Established in 2019, the KTM experience has used bikes from the A2 licence-friendly 390 Adventure, through middleweights like the 890 Adventure R, and even the 1290 Super Adventure R. It also gave rise to events such as the KTM Adventure Rally UK.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure R ridden off-road at Sweet Lamb
Although KTM are leaving, the 6500-acre Powys site will remain in action, with Ducati continuing their Sweet Lamb DRE Adventure Academy – allowing customers to experience both the Desert X and Multistrada V4 families off-road.

[Skub]

Bajaj,owner of KTM want to cut costs by 50%.
owner of KTM, wants to cut costs by 50%: motorsport activities at risk

“Motorcycle production in Europe is dead — costs are 30%
higher than in Asia.” – Rajiv Bajaj

Big shake-up for KTM: new majority owner Bajaj plans a 50% cost cut, threatening motorsport projects and factory riders. CEO Gottfried Neumeister faces massive layoffs as production drops and restructuring deepens.

“We must rebuild leaner and smarter — or we won’t survive.” – Gottfried Neumeister

The financial collapse stems from over expansion, supply issues, and Pierer’s ambitious growth drive. Bajaj now takes full control of Pierer Mobility AG, marking the end of an era for KTM’s Austrian leadership.

Copied from facebook,so may be true/may be bollox.

[mangocrazy]

In the years before, during and and after the pandemic KTM made a large number of vanity and hubris-driven mistakes, made acquisitions that ranged from unwise to plain bonkers, and basically acted like the masters of the universe when they were simply businessmen out of their depth. The motorsport division alone consumed vast amounts of cash, they paid top dollar for companies that were well outside their core business and ramped up production precisely when they should have been applying the brakes. It's a wonder they're still in business.

It's inevitable that the new Indian owners want to steady the ship and drastically cut costs. They're also aware that the European market is flat, America is a tariff nightmare and growth is basically going to come from Asia. I hope the KTM MotoGP team survives, but I won't be putting any money on it.

It's a great shame - they made some fantastic products; it's just a pity that the management team were such dicks.

[Yorick]

Bajaj,owner of KTM want to cut costs by 50%.
owner of KTM, wants to cut costs by 50%: motorsport activities at risk

“Motorcycle production in Europe is dead — costs are 30%
higher than in Asia.” – Rajiv Bajaj

Big shake-up for KTM: new majority owner Bajaj plans a 50% cost cut, threatening motorsport projects and factory riders. CEO Gottfried Neumeister faces massive layoffs as production drops and restructuring deepens.

“We must rebuild leaner and smarter — or we won’t survive.” – Gottfried Neumeister

The financial collapse stems from over expansion, supply issues, and Pierer’s ambitious growth drive. Bajaj now takes full control of Pierer Mobility AG, marking the end of an era for KTM’s Austrian leadership.

Copied from facebook,so may be true/may be bollox.

Read that twice. Still made no sense

[McNab]

Bajaj,owner of KTM want to cut costs by 50%.
owner of KTM, wants to cut costs by 50%: motorsport activities at risk

“Motorcycle production in Europe is dead — costs are 30%
higher than in Asia.” – Rajiv Bajaj

Big shake-up for KTM: new majority owner Bajaj plans a 50% cost cut, threatening motorsport projects and factory riders. CEO Gottfried Neumeister faces massive layoffs as production drops and restructuring deepens.

“We must rebuild leaner and smarter — or we won’t survive.” – Gottfried Neumeister

The financial collapse stems from over expansion, supply issues, and Pierer’s ambitious growth drive. Bajaj now takes full control of Pierer Mobility AG, marking the end of an era for KTM’s Austrian leadership.

Copied from facebook,so may be true/may be bollox.

Read that twice. Still made no sense

They grew too big, too fast. Now they need to cut costs by 50% so will build bikes in Asia where it's cheaper.

[Supermofo]

I think you can make bikes in Europe and charge more for them for that reason. "IF" they are premium and good enough to pay the extra for. In much the same way typically a bike made in Japan cost more than one made in Thailand/India. BMW seem to be doing alright with GSs judging by the amount of the big ugly bastards there are out there.

What you can't do is charge inflated European prices and make cams out of chocolate and bat away warranty claims like a master batsman chasing a century.

Although that's only part of the problem. The bigger one as Mango says is spending money like a teenager.

Shame as I really really like KTM bikes.

[ZRX61]

It's a great shame - they made some fantastic products; it's just a pity that the management team were such dicks.

Apparently none of them knows the history of the Brit bike industry...