KTM’s Big Boss Steps Down As Business Moves Drag On

2025 KTM 990 Duke R. PHOTO CREDIT: KTM

The KTM saga is far from over, but we’ve had a significant development over the past few days. KTM’s longtime leader Stefan Pierer has stepped down from his role as CEO of the motorcycle manufacturer. He had been leading the company with help from Gottfried Neumeister, who had started in the “co-CEO” role last September, when the bad news broke about the company’s financial straits.

That bad news has gotten progressively worse in the months since, with employees’ wages not paid for months, suppliers going bust after their invoices went unpaid, and labour reps railing on KTM’s behaviour. Despite a return to the victor’s podium at Dakar, where Daniel Sanders re-took the winner’s trophy for KTM, the rest of their race programs are in doubt. MotoGP is a go for the next couple of seasons, the organizers say—but if financial decisions are taken out of the hands of race managers, there may be no choice.

And now, there are sharks in the water, circling the company looking to bite off a chunk of the shares up for grabs. KTM already let its controlling stake in MV Agusta go, and now it seems likely that Pierer will lose his financial control of the company. But it seems likely that even if he is no longer CEO, that his influence is still going to be felt in the company until its shares are sold to another entity and Neumeister is removed from his role as CEO—if any of those things ever happen.

See KTM’s official PR below:

Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM AG for many years, is handing over the management of the company to his Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister. With this step, one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers is strategically positioning itself for the future. Pierer will continue to accompany the reorganization process as a member of the Executive Board with full commitment and will remain part of the KTM family.

Since taking over KTM in 1992, Stefan Pierer has built the company from a regional motorcycle manufacturer into a global brand with legendary status in the motorcycle industry. Today, for millions of fans, KTM stands for innovation, performance and a spirit of adventure like no other brand – values that will remain in focus under the new management

“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,” says Stefan Pierer.

Gottfried Neumeister brings extensive experience in corporate management, including many years as a board member of flyniki and DO &CO. He emphasizes: “Stefan Pierer has created a unique company that reflects the passion and pioneering spirit of all employees. I see it as my task to preserve this legacy and at the same time to break new ground. KTM stands for courage, innovation and passion – values that we will continue to live by and carry into the future. Together with our team, we will continue to strengthen KTM and set new standards to build the best motorcycles in the world.”

With the new management structure, KTM is ideally equipped to master the challenges of the future and continue its success story. The focus remains on innovation, performance and the continuous development of a motorcycle brand that inspires millions of fans worldwide. KTM remains focused on redefining the limits of what is possible on two wheels. The company will continue on its path with the same determination that has made it a global icon under the leadership of Stefan Pierer.

About Gottfried Neumeister
After completing his studies in international business administration at the University of Vienna, Gottfried Neumeister worked as a consultant at Siemens AG Austria. In 2003, he founded flyniki together with Niki Lauda and was responsible for the successful development of the aviation business (until its sale to Air Berlin). In 2012, Mr. Neumeister moved to DO &CO Aktiengesellschaft, where he held various positions on the Management Board, most recently (2021-2023) as Co-CEO. Gottfried Neumeister has been Co-CEO of PIERER Mobility AG and KTM AG since September 1, 2024. He has also been a member of the Executive Board of Pierer Industrie AG since January 1, 2025.

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