IN
THE
WIND
P42
BMW, KTM ARE KILLING IT
E
urope's top two motorcycle manufacturers
were selling more bikes than ever in 2015, with
news emerging that KTM (including group brands
KTM and Husqvarna) has surpassed BMW in
terms of overall units sold in 2015.
The Austrians released 180,801 bikes into the
wild last year worldwide, comparing very favorably
to BMW's 136,963. The number is exceptionally
good for KTM, because it has seen the company
crack 1 billion euros in revenue for the first time in
its history.
However, KTM has still not surpassed BMW in
overall revenue from motorcycle sales, with BMW
stating in a press release that it had enjoyed a
staggering turnover of 1.99 billion euros in total
sales during 2015.
The reason for the disparity in revenue versus
units sold is largely due to the fact that BMW's
offerings are mainly placed in the high end of the
market, with most of its units sold being expen-
sive touring and adventure machines, versus the
comparatively low priced motocross and enduro
machines that make up the bulk of KTM sales.
Both manufacturers will be making a strong
move into the low displacement road bike market
in 2016, with BMW set to release its G 310 R and
Husqvarna releasing the long awaited Vitpilen later
in the year, so it will be interesting to see how buy-
ers react now that there's an entry-level machine
available into the realm of BMW ownership, that
once seemed you needed to be an experienced
rider to join. CN
Bikes like the R 1200 GS
are keeping BMW's profit
margins in very good
health.
