Bajaj-KTM to roll out KTM's new RC motorcycle series in 2014

The Bajaj-KTM partnership is looking at introducing a new range of fully-faired sports RC series motorcycles. These are expected to roll out from Bajaj's Chakan facility by end 2014.

With this, there will be five to six models to cater to the requirements of both India and for export to global markets, according to Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto.

At present, under KTM's Duke brand, 125cc, 200cc and Duke 390 motorcycles are produced.

Speaking at a press conference, Bajaj said that the plant is currently facing production constraints after the Duke 390 was added as the third model. The India game-plan for KTM bikes, which currently sell around 1,000 units a month, is penetrating a larger number of small towns.

Meanwhile, after the acquisition of the Husqvarna brand of bikes by Pierer Industrie AG, a holding company of KTM of which Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM Sportmotorcycles AG, owns a 51 percent stake and Bajaj Auto 48 percent, KTM is now exploring the potential of introducing its Husqvarna brand of bikes, ranging between 125 and 390cc.

"We will touch production volumes of 100,000 units at Chakan for our bikes over the next three years. Of this, 30,000 bikes will be for the Indian market and 70,000 units for exporting overseas," said Pierer.

At present, about 30,000 units of the KTM bikes are produced at the facility annually.

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