KTM to Develop 650cc Twin-cylinder Motorcycles in India
Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM, has revealed that the brand is developing a new 650-690cc platform. He also stated that the new parallel-twin engine will be built in India at the Chakan plant of Bajaj Auto. According to reports, the first bike based on the new architecture will be a naked offering.
By Reetika Bhatt
In a recent development, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has revealed that the company's long-term plan calls for Bajaj to produce its twin-cylinder middleweight models in India over the next two years. Stefan previously gave media interviews in January and outlined the reasons why selling their large bikes in India wasn't a wise business decision. Existing KTM 390cc owners may soon have products worth upgrading to within the orange brand itself, however, as the business is now considering localisation. Speaking to a global media outlet, Pierer said that although CFMoto manufactures KTM's 790 platform in China with complete localisation, attempting to bring Chinese-made 790 products to India would not be good for the company. As a result, discussions with Bajaj about producing the KTM 790 Duke in India have already started, subject to supply chain development.
Also Read: 2022 KTM RC 390 Review: First Ride
KTM's Plans for India and Upcoming Launches
Prior to being shelved for multiple reasons, the Austrian company worked on a 500cc parallel-twin platform. Despite this, the company is very interested in the 650 to 690cc market because it already has a ready-made 790cc platform that can be scaled down to provide lower performance as well as overall costs. The firm will benefit from this strategy by having the appropriate marketing plan for the target group. Given that KTM already produces the 790cc motorcycles in China and that the segment has low sales, adding another assembly facility there would have made sense. However, the bikemaker intends to export this new 650 to 690cc range to a number of South Asian markets, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
It is important to note that the new platform will launch with a naked bike, with RC and adventure models likely to follow. Due to both brands' efforts to optimise the supply chain, the exact launch date for the Duke 650 is still unknown. However, the launch of the first bike is anticipated for 2026 in India.
KTM February 2023 Domestic Sales Figures
In February 2022, KTM India's domestic sales fell to 4,353 units. YoY sales decreased from 5,394 units. Volume loss was 1,041 units, representing a 19.30 per cent decrease. The MoM sales decline is reported to be 6.19 per cent, with 4,640 units sold. The volume loss was 287 units. With 2,318 units sold, the KTM 200 (RC + Duke) was by far the most popular. Sales decreased from 2,431 units. Volume loss was 113 units, representing a 4.65 per cent decrease. MoM sales dropped from 2,398 to a volume loss of 80 units. The sales decline was 3.34 percent. Sales of the KTM 250 (ADV + Duke) increased to 1,425 units, up from 312 units. Volume gain was 1,113 units. Sales increased from 1,223 units in the previous month. Volume increased by 202 units, representing a 16.52 percent increase.
Also Read: KTM 250 Adventure vs Royal Enfield Himalayan – Comparison
The KTM 125 (RC + Duke) sold 572 units, down from 2,200 units. The volume loss was 1,628 units, representing a 74 per cent decrease. MoM sales were down from 778 units. Volume loss was 206 units, representing a drop of more than a quarter, or 26.48 per cent. Sales of the KTM 390 (RC + ADV + Duke) fell to 38 units from 451 units. The volume loss was 413 units. MoM sales were down from 241 units. Volume loss is reported at 287 units, representing a 6.19 per cent decrease.
