KTM TELEGRAPHS STEPPED-UP E-BIKE PLANS

Last week, at KTM’s North America Dealer Summit, the Austrian brand unveiled what sounded almost like a mission statement about their future intentions with PTWs (“Powered Two-Wheelers”) and the role that e-bikes would play in that PTW range. Laying all their cards on the table, KTM announced that the current electric range has been expanded with the addition of the new SX-E 3, EE 3 and MC-E 3 (to bridge the gap between the group’s electric balance bikes and the advanced SX-E 5, EE 5 and MC-E 5 models) and that, “by the middle of this decade, the electric line-up will feature more than 20 electric off-road motorcycles from all brands, ranging from beginner to competition-level models”.

But before you get too excited that “competition-level models” might refer to adult-size MX or enduro machines, there was a qualifier in the PR to the effect that these 20 models will be, “aimed at young talents who are taking the future of motorsports to the next level”.

In any case, here’s the full transcript of KTM AG’s PR that came out of the dealer get-together…

KTM AG, Europe’s leading manufacturer of powered two-wheelers with its motorcycle brands KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and GASGAS, presented its comprehensive electric sportminicycle line-up at its KTM North America Dealer Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, last weekend.

The current range offers electric bikes for young riders with different skill sets, from first balance bikes to advanced competition models. In 2022, the range has been expanded with the addition of the new SX-E 3, EE 3 and MC-E 3, which bridge the gap between the group’s electric balance bikes and the advanced SX-E 5, EE 5 and MC-E 5 models. By the middle of this decade, the electric line-up will feature more than 20 electric offroad motorcycles from all brands, ranging from beginner to competition-level models, aimed at young talents who are taking the future of motorsports to the next level.

With decades of expertise in the engineering and manufacturing of motorcycles, KTM AG is carefully assessing the opportunities for electric mobility and developing products that are sustainable both ecologically as well as economically.

“Everyone is talking about e-mobility these days. At KTM AG, we are constantly pursuing developments in this field, living up to our responsibility as an innovative, sustainable company,” says Hubert Trunkenpolz, Chief Marketing Officer at KTM AG. “We strongly believe that e-mobility plays a role when it comes to short-distance, urban mobility and small engine size. In the off-road segment, we need to consider the circumstances on the tracks, such as limited availability to charge big batteries.”

Strong dealer partnerships is one of the main pillars of success for KTM AG. As the world’s market leader in off-road competition motorcycles, the company is a solid partner to its global dealership network. KTM AG is committed to meeting the high expectations of riders and dealers as well as society, as a reliable manufacturer in the powered two-wheeler industry.

“Our relationships with our dealers, their feedback and input have always been invaluable to us. That’s why we are proud to present our range of electric motorcycles for the youngest riders for the first time here in the world’s biggest off-road motorcycle market. It was great to spend a couple of days together with our partners, riding the newest generation of motorcycles and sharing our vision and plans for the future,” says Florian Kecht, Chief Sales Officer at KTM AG. “We are committed to the brick-and-mortar business and will continue to supply our dealers with a wide, best-in-class product range that meets the expectations of all our stakeholders, now and in the future.”

ABOUT KTM AG

KTM AG is Europe’s leading powered two-wheeler (PTW) manufacturer. With its KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and GASGAS motorcycle brands, it ranks among the European technology and market leaders, particularly in the premium motorcycle segment. In addition to combustion engine vehicles, its product portfolio includes vehicles with innovative electric drives, making KTM AG an industry pioneer in two-wheel e-mobility as well.