Bajaj-KTM to roll out new KTM’s RC series next year

New Delhi, November 21, 2013: The Bajaj-KTM partnership is looking at introducing a new range of KTM fully faired sports RC series motorcycles. These are expected to rollout from Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility by end 2014. With this, there will be 5-6 models to cater to the requirements of both India and for export to the global markets, according to Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto.

At present, under KTM’s Duke brand, 125cc, 200cc and the Duke 390cc motorcycles are produced. Speaking ata press conference, Bajaj said that the plant is facing production constraints at present after the Duke 390cc has been added as the third model. The India gameplan for KTM bikes, which currently sell around 1,000 units a month, is penetrating more smaller towns.

Meanwhile, after the acquisition of the Husqvarna brand of bikes by Pierer Industrie AG, a holding company of KTM of which Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM Sportmotorcycles AG, owns 51 percent of stake and Bajaj Auto 48 percent, KTM is now exploring the potential of introducing its Husqvarna brand of bikes, ranging between 125-390cc.

“We will touch production volumes of 100,000 units at Chakan for our bikes over the next three years. Of this 30,000 bikes will be for the Indian market and 70,000 units for exporting overseas,” said Pierer. At present, about 30,000 units of the KTM bikes are produced at the facility annually.

SHOBHA MATHUR

Photograph: Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM Sportmotorcycles AG, and Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, at the rollout of the 200 Duke last year.