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The Pierer Group in Austria hasn't produced motorcycles since December 13th, and 750 employees have been laid off since the fall. However, about 4,000 employees returned to their workplaces today in Mattighofen at 5:30 a.m., for their 6:00 a.m. shift. On Thursday, March 20th, the first new 2025 motorcycles from KTM, Husqvarna, and GASGAS - which were presented at the EICMA in November - are scheduled to roll off the production line.
Pierer Mobility AG sold 381,555 motorcycles in its 2023 record year, and an additional 230,000 motorcycles are expected to be produced and sold for the 2025 fiscal year. Whether these optimistic targets are realistic will become clear sometime this summer. It's proving advantageous that production at KTM's partners - Bajaj in India and CFMOTO in China - never stopped. These are primarily the low-cost models, up to 400 cc.
For the time being, production will only be ramped up in a single-shift operation and with only one of four production lines. But, after three months of downtime, several precautions are necessary until the production lines are back in full operation and the global supply chain, which extends to China, can be set in motion again. Starting next Thursday, the first complete motorcycles are scheduled to roll off the production line in Upper Austria again, with full capacity planned for June or July. The order situation is described as promising, and the demand for spare parts is also high. KTM is providing a reassuring boost to all "orange blood " incoming clients and fans with an upgraded warranty program: the Premium Manufacturer's Warranty, which is a completely free, 4-year coverage for certain KTM street and travel motorcycles.
KTM received 50 million Euros from its major shareholder, Bajaj, to restart production, and an additional, 100 million Euros in new cash will flow into the coffers by the end of March. By May 23rd, 600 million Euros must be transferred to creditors to repay 30% of the liabilities, which amount to 1.8 billion Euros. KTM AG was prevented from going into bankruptcy at the last creditors meeting on February 25th. KTM AG is, therefore, preparing for a fresh start following the approval of the restructuring program.
A lot has changed at the top: Gottfried Neumeister has been the new CEO since January, and Stephan Zöchling - CEO and co-owner of the exhaust system manufacturer, Remus - has taken over the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Stefan Pierer has stepped down as Co-CEO. In March 2025, Pierer also resigned from his position as a member of the KTM AG Executive Board.
By January 23rd, potential investors had come forward, expressing interest in KTM AG. The investment bank, Citigroup, had been commissioned to conduct the search. Who's going to provide the ailing company with an additional 600 million Euros by May 23rd, required to pay the 30% creditors quota, remains a secret. According to what we learned at GPOne.com, the up-and-coming Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, CFMOTO, is likely to replace the current majority owner, Stefan Pierer.
An investor is also being sought for the MotoGP project, so that the racing team's operations in the premier class - which currently cost approximately 40 million Euros annually - can, in the best-case scenario, be run cost-neutrally in the future.
Pierer Mobility AG is now, once again, focusing on the KTM core brand and is hoping that its recent successes under the slogan, "Ready to Race", will provide a good starting point. KTM already won the Dakar Rally in 2025 with Daniel Sanders, who also leads the Rally Raid World Championship. Billy Bolt gave Husky its fifth Super Enduro World Championship crown, along with victories at the US Supercross in the 250 cc and 450 cc classes, with RJ Hampshire and Malcolm Stewart (both Husqvarna) and also Chase Sexton (KTM). KTM and Husky also hold the top five places in the MX2 World Championship after Round 2 in Castilla La Mancha yesterday.
In Buriram (Thailand), Rueda and Carpe secured a one-two victory in the Moto3 class for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. In Termas de Río Hondo, FRINSA - MT Helmets – MSI KTM, with rider Piqueras, captured 1st place, while Rueda finished 3rd. Acosta and Binder secured 6th and 8th places in the Buriram MotoGP Sprint, and Binder and Bastianini finished 8th and 9th in the Premier Class in Thailand on Sunday. KTM just scored a 9th place with Acosta in the Sprint in Argentina, after Binder fell when hit by Morbidelli in the early stages. On Sunday, Binder finished in 7th place and Acosta brought home an 8th place yesterday. Bastianini scored zero points in South America and Viñales has 4 points with a 12th place, riding for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team. Binder is going to Texas with a 7th place in the Riders World Championship and Acosta is racing in 10th position, with Viñales 14th and Bastianini 17th. The points standings are: 1) Rueda 41 points (KTM); 2) A. Fernández 36 (Honda); 3) Piqueras 29 (KTM). Instead, the following are the MotoGP Constructors Championship standings: 1) Ducati 74; 2) Honda 26; 3) Aprilia 22; 4) KTM 22; 5) Yamaha 13.
