Over the past few months there have been news reports and online chatter about the financial challenges facing KTM. In this video posted on KTM’s YouTube channel on November 26, CEO Stefan Pierer and Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister addressed KTM fans and the larger motorcycle community about the company’s plan to enter a 90-day self-administration phase so that it can move forward.
Today, KTM sent out the following press release and accompanying video. –Ed.
RISING THROUGH ADVERSITY: KTM PLOTS A PATH TO THE FUTURE AND TO MORE VICTORY
2024 has been a remarkable year for KTM, marked by bold innovation, thrilling victories, and unwavering customer dedication. While challenges are part of any great journey, we see them as an opportunity to accelerate toward an even brighter future.
It is no secret that KTM AG is navigating a shifting economic landscape. However, as our READY TO RACE mantra suggests, we are embracing this moment to realign, refuel, and reinvigorate. KTM remains fully committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our current and future customers. We will continue to thrill and find our way to the top of the podium again.
Racing is where we show our brand, our engineering and our passion for the chase. Over the past year, our motorsport teams continued to achieve greatness. We started the season with a staggering 341 FIM World Championship Titles. The globe-trotting calendars involved more than 1,480 race starts and brought us 246 podiums and 150 wins across various disciplines. Of course, there were hardships and injuries—these go with the turf—but KTM impressively added 11 more hard-fought titles to the record.
Off the racing line, the KTM brand has also been extremely active this year. The brand unveiled 59 new models, hosted three international media launches with 152 media partners in attendance, successfully pulled off three customer events with 283 participants, and returned to EICMA, the world’s largest motorcycle show, with a massive 1,635 m² booth along with 17 new KTM products.
There has been a strong push behind these new motorcycles, as well as efforts to ensure we maintain momentum in the right areas. KTM is applying the same forward-thinking approach during this restructuring phase. Our goal over the next 90 days is to stabilize the business while setting the foundation for sustained growth and success.
Throughout this period, KTM guarantees the continuation of motorcycles being delivered through our Authorized KTM Dealer network. The same goes for our spare parts, technical accessories, customer service support and warranties which remain unchanged, ensuring ongoing and unwavering support throughout this period.
The work and the desire for the latest edgy, extreme and adventurous motorcycles goes on. KTM is preparing the launch of a brace of highly anticipated models, which will be in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2025. This again shows our pledge to remain as one of Europe’s leading motorcycle manufacturer well into the future.
Read all of Rider‘s KTM reviews.
Clearly the damage is already done . This is a bandaid on a gaping wound. Consumer confidence is null gotta sell bikes to actually pay off your debts . 😆
Extremely lazy reporting on the behalf of RIDER. A press release is a narrative written by the subject & reflects how they want the public to see the topic, not necessarily reality. RIDER should take press releases as one source of info, do more investigating and fact finding, and present the reader with a balanced and realistic story.
I get annoyed but maybe a lot of people can’t see through the use of press releases and especially product announcements as nearly being advertising. Yes the lines between content and advertising have been intentionally blurred and it’s a lazy or cheap way to create content without paying writers. The Intelligent commentary is being provided by the readers so maybe we should be paid for doing the job of the missing staff at Rider.
All corporate and marketing speak.
The court will decide if the financial plan has a chance to return at least some of the money owed to creditors, in the tune of 800M EUR.
Future is still uncertain!
That was so blatantly absurd. They have half of their production unsold[100k] and half of my Agusta unsold ]2k]. Very bad pr with the customer and dealers over unsupported warranty repairs. Then arrogance in the last interview of the CEO stating that they were going for a more sophisticated customer and charge more for their products. So we know the rest of the story, overproduction, no cost controls, disrespect for the customer, and arrogance. They will be toast. Trying to offload the motorcycles for a bankrupt company will be maybe 40 cents on the dollar which means they will still owe 2 billion after the fire sale.. the fat lady sings! The end
I have never really been a fan, I was seriously considering one of their bikes and on the showroom floor the front fork was leaking. The dealer just shrugged his shoulders and I bought a different brand. While the “ready to race” is close to true but only after one of their highest maintenance requirements.
I wish them the best, but I think there will be new Chinese ownership, as they are already building KTM engines and some reasonable bikes at a very attractive price. It also appears that the Chinese manufacturers have deep pockets and a desire to compete.
Is this a joke?
Sorry to hear the other riders (?) negative comments. Motorcycling has been a sport based on emotions and feelings and any motorcycle company loss – or motorcycle magazine loss – is a sad event. Criticism at this stage is not very constructive.
I will be standing by the company that wrote a history and also intended to save other iconic brands like MV Agusta or Husqvarna. If I can help, count me in KTM and Rider.
Chris J
From personal experience it is easy to buy ANY motorcycle through the internet, but there is no one to repair or even service them(correctly) locally, so KTM and ALL smaller motorcycle companies MUST work with local dealers to properly service AND repair their motorcycles. From personal experience this mandatory to be able to sell their motorcycles.