On the 17th of October, KTM and CFMOTO officially announced the launch of their cooperation in China with KTMR2R trademark.
Mr. Trunkenpolz (KTM CSO) said “The rapid development of the Chinese economy is giving rise to a new type of Chinese customer, one who demands product differentiation. KTM has the product to fill this gap in the market and the perfect partner in CFMOTO to see the process through for the long-term.”
KTM was founded in 1953 in Mattighofen, Austria. Since its inception, KTM has won many world championships including a streak of 12 consecutive wins in the world-famous Dakar Rally, which they will defend in 2014.
Recently, KTM has stepped into the street bike arena and is encountering success at every corner. The entrance into China was logical and is an extension of the globalisation strategy of the company.
When asked about the timing of KTM’s entry into China, Mr. Trunkenpolz explained, “KTM is experiencing greater success in emerging markets than we ever thought was possible. Considering the current economic development of China and how the motorcycle market is maturing here, we feel that this move fits our globalisation strategy right now.”
Mr. Lai (CFMOTO president) mentioned that CFMOTO has many similarities with KTM and that their partnership was a natural fit. Both CFMOTO and KTM emphasize high-end performance motorcycles that form part of the riders lifestyle. Based on this shared philosophy, KTM and CFMOTO will cooperate to promote the orange brand in China.
CFMOTO was founded in 1989 and teaming up with more than 1500 companions. It has developed various differentiated products distributed in over 70 countries and regions. CFMOTO is edging into the advanced ranks in the world in the powersports industry and aims at supplying super products to dealers and fans globally.
In answer to many of the media’s questions, Mr. Plöckinger (KTM COO) contributed, “after this Chongqing show, we will immediately open our first dealers in Shanghai and Beijing, and then going into 2014 we will continuously be expanding the dealer network in China. In order to offer a competitive price to the customer in China CFMOTO will import the 200 & 300 DUKE on a CKD basis.”
The press conference was the first KTM activity in China and is tangible proof of the transformation that is occurring in the Chinese motorcycle market.
Chinese motorcycle association chairman Mr. Li developed on this point, “The Chinese motorcycle market is going through a structural adjustment and the products on offer are being updated as a result. The rise of the motorcycle as a lifestyle is upon us, which highlights the potential need for companies such as KTM and CFMOTO. So personally I have a lot of confidence in this cooperation between CFMOTO and KTM, one is an internationally famous brand, the other is a local firm that insists on a differentiated development strategy – I believe this cooperation will be a breath of fresh air in the Chinese motorcycle market and provide Chinese customers a higher quality product and service.”
Two dealers are already open in Shanghai and Beijing and the full KTMR2R product range will arrive in store early 2014.
Founded in 1989, CFMOTO is a company that has been designing, developing, producing and exporting motor vehicles internationally for more than 20 years. They are a leader in the field of liquid cooled engine design and production for motorcycles and quads in China and throughout the world. CFMOTO possesses an annual production capacity of 800,000 engines and 600,000 vehicles. In Canada, CFMOTO products are imported by CMI who has developed an extensive network of dealerships throughout the country. To provide outstanding service to its many dealerships so that they may, in turn, cater to the needs of their many customers, CMI has established a number of vehicle and parts warehouses in several provinces across Canada. CFMOTO is distributed not only in Canada, but also in more than 70 countries throughout the world.
