KTM CEO Stephen Pierer revealed that Bajaj Auto would produce its twin-cylinder middleweight model in India in the next two years as part of its long-term goal. In a media appearance in January, Stephen explained why it was not a smart business move to sell his heavy-weight bikes in India. But, with the company now investigating localization, existing KTM 390cc owners may soon have things worth upgrading to within the Orange brand.
Stephen Pierer told a worldwide media outlet that although CFMoto manufactures KTM’s 790 platforms in China with complete localization, trying to sell the China-made 790 in India would be bad for business.
KTM’s Plans for India and Upcoming Launches
The 500cc parallel-twin motor platform was the focus of the Austrian company until KTM canceled it for various reasons. Despite this, the company has a ready-made 790cc platform that it can reduce to deliver cheaper performance and overall cost, thus making it particularly interested in the 650 to 690cc market. By creating a marketing strategy specifically for the target market, the company will benefit from this strategy.
Building another assembly facility in China would not make sense, considering that KTM Bikes already manufactures 790cc motorcycles, and the segment has low sales. However, the bike maker wants to export this new 650 to 690cc range to several South Asian countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
The new platform will start with a naked bike, with RC and adventure models likely to follow. It is important to notice. The exact release date of the Duke 650 is still a mystery, as both brands are working to optimize the supply chain. The first bike in India is not expected to be released till 2026.
KTM February 2023 Domestic Sales Figures
In February 2022, KTM India’s domestic sales dropped to 4,353 units. Year-on-year sales stood at 5,394 units. One thousand forty-one units were lost in volume, which is a decline of 19.30%. With 4,640 units sold, the MoM sales decline is reported to be 6.19%. Volume loss was 287 units. The KTM RC 200 and KTM 200 Duke were the most popular models, with 2,318 units sold. Sales decreased by 2,431 units. One hundred thirteen units of volume were lost, or a decrease of 4.65%. Sales of 2,398 units have decreased by 80 compared to the previous month. Overall, the stock sold 3.34 percent lower. The KTM 250 Adventure and KTM 250 Duke sales grew by 312 to 1,425 units. The increase in volumes stood at 1,113 units. Sales increased to 1,223 units.
The KTM RC 125 and KTM 125 Duke sales declined by 572 from 2,200 units. One thousand six hundred twenty-eight units were lost in volume, which is a drop of 74%. MOM sales declined by 778 units. Volume declined by 206 units, or 25%, or 26.48 percent. KTM 390 (RC+ADV+Duke) sales declined from 451 units to 38 units. There was a 413 unit volume loss. MoM sales declined by 241 units. A decline of 287 units or 6.19 percent has been registered in the volume.
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