KTM’s new R&D Centre in Germany to focus on motorcycle electronics

The facility in Rosenheim will focus on electronics development in motorcycles – from ideas to preliminary development, prototype design and new processes through to innovative concepts.

By Autocar Professional Bureau

07 Jul 2017

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KTM's R&D Centre in Rosenheim will focus on electronics development in motorcycles – from ideas to preliminary development, prototype design and new processes through to innovative concepts.

Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM AG, in which India’s Bajaj Auto has a 46 percent stake, has opened a brand-new R&D Center took place in Rosenheim.

The site's focus is on electronics development in the motorcycle segment – from ideas to preliminary development, prototype design, and the implementation of new processes right through to innovative concepts. Systems that facilitate digital connectivity between the rider and motorcycle, and following on from that, interconnected vehicles for long-term accident prevention (connected motorcycles) will be developed there.

"As a premium manufacturer in the motorcycle segment, we place particular emphasis on the area of research and development. New products and the constant implementation of technical innovations enable us to meet the high expectations of our customers and open up new markets on a long-term basis," said Philipp Habsburg, head of the KTM R&D department. "In 2016, KTM AG invested around 110 million euros (Rs 840 crore) in model development and the infrastructure of the Mattighofen and Munderfing sites and thus further strengthened and expanded the Austrian location. With the opening of the new KTM R&D Center in Rosenheim, we are continuing this trend in Germany."

L-R: Klaus Krumpholz, site manager, KTM R&D Centre, Rosenheim, and Philipp Habsburg, head of KTM R&D.

The new KTM R&D Center covers an area of 438 square metres and can accommodate up to 30 employees. It is part of the KTM R&D department in Mattighofen and also reports to this site. "The idea of opening a new site came to us around two years ago," says site manager Klaus Krumpholz. "We have taken on seven members of staff already and I am looking forward to expanding the Rosenheim site."

An average of 487 members of staff are employed at the R&D department in Mattighofen, a number which is always growing. The staff recruited for the Rosenheim site make up a completely new team. An important selection criterion for Rosenheim was the existence of a local higher education institution and the resulting availability of competent development engineers in the region.