KTM PRESIDENT/CEO STEFAN PIERER: PART 2
P86
Interview
$3400), and goes up to about 7-8000 euros
($7900-$9000). And it's like a small-displacement
motorcycle, it's a serious powered two-wheeler.
Finally, let me ask you about your strategic
partner Bajaj's joint venture with Triumph. TVS
is one of its major rivals in India and is a stra-
tegic partner with what you always call your
friendly rivals up the road, BMW. TVS has just
acquired Norton, and it seems that Bajaj and
Triumph have now reached some form of a
closer agreement. How do you feel about that
as far as KTM is concerned?
Rajiv Bajaj always closely discussed the Tri-
umph agreement with me, though it's not such
an issue for KTM because we don't have any
heritage brands. Triumph is a very well-known
heritage brand, and I think that Bajaj strengthens
its production capability, while also bringing some
benefits with the supplier chain, so maybe it could
bring us a little bit closer. Anyway, we're talking
to each other. But it took a long time, three years
to set it up, and that's not the speed we're used
to as a race brand! I think the TVS purchase of
Norton, in my opinion, is not necessarily a good
There is at least one downer for KTM—its 18-race win streak at the Dakar
Rally came to an end this year. Unfortunately for the other teams, this makes
KTM want to win it even more next year. PHOTO: RALLY ZONE
