For the first time in the Philippine motorcycle industry, big bikes will finally roll out of the KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing, Inc. (KAMMI) factory line.
Since the 790 Duke global launch in early 2019, the local motorcycle community has been abuzz with rumors and clamor for big bikes to be locally-made—with the anticipation of making it affordable and accessible to Filipino riders seeking for their next upgrade.
On the occasion of Philippine Independence Day, KTM Philippines proudly announced that starting with the 790 CKD Family line, KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing, Inc. (KAMMI) will assemble 800cc parallel twin platform motorcycles at its state-of-the-art factory in Laguna. This is expected to boost the growth of Europe’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the vibrant domestic motorcycle market as well as in the entire ASEAN region, which accounts for more than 13 million motorcycle sales annually.
n 2017, KTM partnered up with Ayala Corporation. Besides acting as the distributor of the KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle brands in the domestic markets, Ayala also entered into a Joint Venture with KTM for the production of motorcycles ranging from 200cc to 390cc. This range is now being extended by the globally successful 800cc parallel twin platform. This is the largest displacement motorcycle ever produced in the country, based on Austrian R&D and engineering, paired with the high-quality standard of the domestic production.
The 800cc parallel-twin KTM 790 DUKE was dubbed ‘THE SCALPEL’ for its fantastic power-to-weight ratio, agility, handling, and performance. It was swiftly followed by the KTM 790 ADVENTURE: a compact, powerful and acclaimed travel bike with excellent capabilities for the street and offroad use which has become the reigning queen in the 800–1000cc travel segment.
The KTM 790 Duke
Import duties heavily restrict the supply of International motorcycles into the ASEAN region in countries such as China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines which, in 2019, recorded over 1.7 million motorcycle sales alone. KTM’s further investment into the facility in the Philippines and the ASEAN region will ensure that its share in the promising large displacement segment keeps increasing.
KAMMI president and COO Dino Santos stated in the KTM Philippines Facebook page: “It’s the ultimate dream for KTM Philippines to build world-class motorcycles. After only three years of KAMMI operation, our factory will produce the 790 CKD Family line (790 Duke, 790 Adventure, 790 Adventure R) for the domestic and the ASEAN markets. Like many, our business was not spared by the pandemic crisis, but fortunately our export demands continue to keep us moving forward. Today, the export markets contributes around 80% of the factory output. This gives us pride that the Filipino is building motorcycles for Asia. On the local front, this industry breakthrough makes our motorcycles priced more competitively, and more Filipinos can now be proud owners of KTM in the country. Owning a KTM would also mean supporting our local automotive industry.”
The KTM 790 Adventure
“The challenge has always been to prove that the Philippines can be a full manufacturing site that can be the hub for supplying the needs of the ASEAN region. We are proud to be able to achieve this with KAMMI showcasing the Filipino talent in producing world-class motorcycles for supplying the needs of the Asian countries. This is through the successful collaboration of KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc. (KAMMI) and Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI),” shared Art Tan, Group CEO of AC Industrials that houses these two Ayala companies.
“The expertise and progress of the plant in Laguna Technopark means we have not hesitated when it comes to investment and further collaboration,” said CSO Florian Kecht. “It will accelerate the growth of the local KTM business but also enlarge its presence in the ASEAN region. Our local production activities support our strategy to fortify the brand with a greater range of larger cc motorcycles. It’s a proud moment and an exciting time for the company as well as KTM lovers in the region.”
The KTM 790 Adventure R
KTM AG posted sales of more than 280.000 in 2019—exceeding yearly sales of BMW, Ducati and Triumph combined—representing the ninth consecutive year of growth and a 7% increase over 2018. KTM AG is targeting the 400.000 figure by 2022.
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