Austrian motorcycle giant KTM has overtaken BMW Motorrad to become Europe’s numero-uno motorcycle manufacturer. KTM sold 107,142 motorcycles through the calendar year 2012 to record its personal best sales, leading BMW Motorrad by a margin of 1000 bikes. KTM grew a respectable 32 percent in 2012 and increased their market share by 7.5 percent.
KTM has also worked closely with part Indian owner - Bajaj, who hold a 47.18 percent stake - to penetrate the Indian two-wheeler market, this contributing strongly to the European firm’s impressive global tally. The newly introduced 200 Duke has found firm footing here, selling over 8000 units this year. India is now set to be one of the first markets where the larger displacement 390 Duke will launch by mid-2013, to further bolster KTM’s growing success.
On another note, KTM is also soaring high in motorsports, having won the prestigious 2013 edition Dakar rally, where the top five riders rode KTM motorcycles.