According to rumours we’ve seen, KTM is linking up with another Asian motorcycle manufacturer.
For a while now, KTM and Indian manufacturer Bajaj have been growing closer and closer, with Bajaj owning almost half the company, and getting involved with production. But now KTM has supposedly announced they’re going to work with Chinese manufacturer CFMoto.
Rumours about this hook-up started earlier this year, but very little information has come out about the deal, even now, although the two companies allegedly announced their co-operation recently at a Chinese motorcycle show, and in a recent news release that claims to be from the companies. KTM is supposed to be opening dealerships in Shanghai and Beijing this month, and this is supposed to be tied in with that move. If CFMoto builds KTMs in China, Team Orange can circumnavigate pesky import taxes that would otherwise jack up the price of their motorcycles for Chinese buyers.
If the rumours we’ve unearthed are true, there will be a made-in-China version of the 390 Duke and the 200 Duke, to be sold in that market, starting next April. That’s not really surprising – KTM already has made-in-India versions of those bikes, so it’s not as if this move is unheard of.
CFMoto only sells ATVs and side-by-sides in Canada, but they sell motorcycles in other markets.
[…] other small-capacity bikes, this machine will be made in India for our market. There’s also a made-in-China version en route, but as far as we know, the plan for now is to keep that bike in that country’s […]
It would be nice if this move re-established some of CF Moto’s scooter selling here in the States. Right now they sell none.