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I rode red for thirty years, now I guess I'm drinking the orange Kool-Aid now because I ain't going back...
Yes even two strokes.
I bought two ktms and wasn’t really impressed with them that much over a Yamaha or Honda.
It really depends on where you’re at to quantify that statement of just handing over the market.
Yamaha is currently king locally even for off road but it seems to change year to year.
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Would it work sway a lot of you?
They didn't get handed anything though. I personally feel like they made a big jump with all of their 2017 models and deserve credit for the work. That said the Japanese manufacturers don't need the 2 stroke, offroad and 350 segments like KTM does. For Moto the bikes/brands are all so good now...KTM was brilliant for digging in on their 350, two strokes and offroad lineup!
Everything is about the numbers, more and more financial kpis.
You need 20 people to sign off before a decision get ratified. Everyone wants to throw their opinion in the room so they can justify their existence. So it takes forever to do something.
There is a complete aversion to risk.
Finally marketing is run by a bunch of wankers who have never actually used or even touched the product they want to get sold.
The Pierer Mobility Group, umbrella company for KTM, Husqvarna — and as of September, Spain’s GasGas, has just published a year-end financial report showing KTM has broken its ninth consecutive record for sales and revenue in 2019, and more poignantly, these results show KTM has outperformed the overall market average globally — as well as in North America.
This latter fact showing that the high numbers are not all about small displacement bikes KTM has been manufacturing in India for the developing world as some readers assumed when we published figures last year, showing KTM outselling Harley-Davidson and BMW in global unit sales for 2018. In fact, KTM’s success in the States during 2019 is perhaps the most striking feature of the year end data crossing our desk today.
There’s no doubt the U.S. is one of today’s most challenging markets. Once predictable and lucrative, manufacturers are now scrambling for traction as demographics wane and trends shift unsteadily. Despite a strong economy, sales of new motorcycles were not just stagnant in 2019, they actually shrank by 2.7%.
But KTM’s sales grew by 3.6% in the U.S. last year. If that doesn’t impress you, what about the fact that 9.7% of new motorcycles sold in the States last year were KTMs or Husqvarnas.
In the global market, Pierer Group’s figures are no less impressive and also not strictly a story about small displacement sales. Globally, large displacement bike sales (over 1200cc) were down 6.3% for 2019 while KTM’s sales of bikes over 1200cc went up by a whopping 14.5%.
In total, KTM sold 280,099 units globally, up from 234,449 in 2018. And Husqvarna, benefitting from KTM’s aggressive support saw sales rise to 45,650 units, creating a 7% increase in marketshare for the duo, and a 4% gain in revenue.
KTM breaks record sales
For comparison, global unit sales for Harley totaled 218,273 (down from 228,057) with 125,900 sold in the U.S. (down from 132,868). For European brands, Ducati was up marginally in Europe, but down by 2% in the U.S. (53,183 total sales globally). Triumph has yet to release figures, but we expect something around 67,000 units. KTM’s closest competitor, BMW Motorrad, reported sales in the U.S. as stable, and set its own record for global motorcycle sales (including scooters), up 5.8% in 2019 for a total of 175,162 units.
Since sales figures for the major Japanese manufactures reside in another stratosphere (Honda sold over 20 million two-wheelers last year), it’s not a polite comparison, but it is notable that the Pierer Group is now the most successful non-Asian manufacturer.
There’s no question KTM’s success is the direct result of Stefan Pierer’s Midas touch. When the Austrian businessman bought KTM in 1991 he said the quality of the machines coming out of the Mattighofen, Austria, factory was so poor the brand was ridiculed. He also said that “every crisis is also an opportunity.”
Last year Pierer reinvested nearly 135 million in product development and over 49 million in infrastructure, pumping the beast with lifeblood to ensure continued prosperity, not only for the growing Pierer empire, but for all of us at ground zero, enjoying this cascade of new and constantly-evolving machines.
So far we know of several exciting bikes headed our way from the Pierer Group including KTM’s much anticipated 390 Adventure, as well as a twin-powered 490 ADV offering. From Husqvarna there’s evidence we’ll see new entry-level and mid-weight Nordens in 501, 401 and 250cc displacements, and most surprising, indications GasGas will make a daring leap from its trail/trials heritage straight into the street market with an 800cc adventure touring model.
KTM record sales
With the advantage of momentum and positive cash flow, the Pierer Group, currently Europe’s largest manufacturer, is predicting 8-10% growth during 2020, a goal the feels odds-on.
For a long time now KTM’s biggest claim to fame was its 18-year winning streak at the Dakar Rally. With that impressive run now capped after Ricky Brabec’s victorious run for Honda, it looks like KTM is now working on being famous for winning over the world, one new motorcycle at a time.
https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/ktm-breaks-sales-records-beating-major-brands-in-us-and-abroad/
Pit Row
The British bike industry kept producing the same bikes, while the Japanese kept developing.
Suzuki “stole” Walter Kedron from CZ, and “sorted” 2 strokes. Won a lot of GPs and MX titles.
The Japanese started a long way behind. They caught and passed the arrogant “old school”.
BSA, Triumph, AJS, Norton, and many more, just closed down.
KTM sell a lot of street bikes. From 200cc - 1340cc
KTM are leading the charge* on Electric bikes.
Suzuki have disbanded the R&D department?
*
Also test rode a 17 250 sx & tc 2strokes since I was looking to upgrade an 03 CR250r. Once again afterwards I came away wondering what the hype was all about since I didn’t think it would have been an upgrade & actually felt it would have been a downgrade.
You thought a 2017 KTM 250SX was a downgrade to your 2003 CR250R?
You might want to re-read my post..
Post a reply to: How can(could) the Japanese manufacturers just hand over the market to KTM?