KTM CEO Stefan Pierer Steps Down, Gottfried Neumeister Takes Over Leadership

KTM has made a major leadership change, appointing Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister as the new CEO. Stefan Pierer, who led KTM for over 30 years, will step into a co-CEO role while staying on the board and as a key shareholder of Pierer Mobility AG, the parent company of KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas.

The leadership transition comes as KTM faces financial challenges and undergoes restructuring. The company has laid off over 1,800 employees and introduced salary cuts for many remaining staff. Pierer Mobility AG is in insolvency proceedings, with a critical February deadline to resolve its financial issues. Under Neumeister's guidance, KTM aims to overcome these difficulties and pave the way for recovery and growth.

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The press release stated: "Stefan Pierer will hand over the role of CEO of PIERER Mobility AG and KTM AG to Gottfried Neumeister and will continue to support him as Co-CEO during the restructuring process."

Stefan Pierer said: 'For me, KTM was always more than just a company - it was and is a passion, a mission and a family. The decision to hand over the helm was not an easy one. I am deeply convinced that Gottfried Neumeister, with his strategic foresight and commitment, is the right choice to lead KTM into the future.'

KTM is navigating a tough financial phase, struggling to secure additional funding from long-term partners Red Bull and Bajaj Auto. Despite a history of strong collaboration, the reasons behind the stalled fundraising efforts remain unclear.

KTM India, however, remains optimistic, with plans to launch two new models—the 390 Adventure S and Enduro R. While these launches show confidence in the Indian market, the division's future is closely tied to the parent company's restructuring efforts. This is critical as KTM's research, development, and innovation are centralised in Austria, and financial instability at headquarters could disrupt operations worldwide, including in India.

Motorsports programs, a cornerstone of KTM’s brand identity, are also under scrutiny. Despite recent achievements like Daniel Sanders’ Dakar Rally win and the upcoming unveiling of the new MotoGP bike on January 30th, budget cuts could threaten their sustainability.

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As KTM works against a February deadline to address bankruptcy risks, the company's future depends on successful restructuring and renewed financial support from key partners.