KTM PRESIDENT/CEO STEFAN PIERER: PART 2
P120
Interview
and Joe Joseph know each other
very well and are good friends, so
we're working very closely with Bajaj,
which I believe will allow us to take a
leading position in the electro-mobili-
ty sector, as well.
Will there also be Husqvarna
versions of the 500 twin?
Every engine platform can be
used by all brands in the family.
Bajaj has formed a joint venture
with Triumph, which seems to be
even closer than was originally
envisaged. If Bajaj assumed con-
trol of Triumph independently of
KTM, what would be your reac-
tion?
We know each other quite well,
so I'm aware of what's going on, but
everybody has a lot of work to do
to make this happen. But I think we
have a clear plan, if it's working out
otherwise.
So could this involve
KTM, with Bajaj as a
substantial, just minor-
ity shareholder in KTM,
acquiring the direction of
Triumph?
I don't know. But if
Triumph wishes to have
a certain relationship, for
sure I have ideas about
this. But thanks to Brexit
it's easier for Indians to talk
to the British compared to
someone from central Eu-
rope—so it's more difficult
to talk with John Bloor from
Austria than from India. You
need a specific approach!
That is what I've learned
in India, that it comes as it
comes, it is as it is, and you have to
accept it. So if it comes up, we are
prepared.
So whatever Bajaj and Triumph
decide to do, you'll adapt accord-
ingly.
We talk to each other.
Looking at further aspects of
your collaboration with Bajaj,
what's the position of KTM's elec-
tric motorcycle program? It seems
like it's kind of stalled—you started
out with a range of E-motorcycles,
but it hasn't gone any further, and
you haven't produced the E-scoot-
er that we were expecting. You do
have electric bicycles, but what's
happening with Bajaj, which is un-
der significant pressure to develop
a range of E-bike because of the
very fierce emissions regulations
introduced by the Modi govern-
ment?
"WE'LL DO THE
SMALL SINGLES
CLASS WITH
KTM WHERE WE
ALREADY WON THE
CHAMPIONSHIP,
BUT WITH A
TWIN, IT'LL BE
HUSQVARNA…"
KTM CEO Stefan
Pierer reveals a
500cc parallel-
twin engine
platform under
development in
India. It is slated
for a 2021-model-
year launch for
both KTM and
Husqvarna.
