Orange is the new bike

ALL FOR KTM: (from left) Orbeta, Tan, Ayala Corp. chair and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Santos, Ayala Corp. president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala

Photos by Charles E. Buban

In the world of enduro and motocross, there’s one motorbike brand that has continuously filled up the podium—KTM, which is readily identified by its signature orange and black color theme.

While Austrian-based KTM may be a relatively new outfit (established in 1981), the brand traces its roots to 1934 when Austrian engineer Hans Trunkenpolz opened a metal-working shop in Mattighofen, Austria and named it Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, hence the three-letter abbreviation.

By the 1990s, KTM went beyond manufacturing endurance sports and off-road race ready models as it entered into the streetbike category, launching a variety of sporting and adventure-touring road-going motorbikes.

“Indeed, KTM has developed a whole new generation of road models that motorbike enthusiasts and adventure-seekers have come to love. We are proud and glad to finally bring the brand here,” said Adventure Cycle Philippines Inc. (ACPI) COO Dino Santos during the recent opening of KTM’s flagship showroom located at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The new KTM dealership showcases the full model lineup of KTM adventure motorcycles including Adventure (1050 Adventure, 1290 Super Adventure); Enduro (125 XC-W, 500 EXC-F Six-Days); Freeride (Freeride 250 R as well as the 350 variant); Mini (50 SX Mini, 85 SX 19/16); Motocross (125 SX and 150 SX), as well as KTM Power Wear (helmets, caps, riding jackets, riding pants, gloves, raincoats, hydration bags).

ACPI, otherwise known as KTM Philippines, is a joint venture between Ayala Automotive Holdings and KTM AG.

“Ayala Automotive is excited to expand its portfolio and enhance the group’s offerings to the market, so expect more dealerships to open in several parts of the country,” said Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp. president and CEO, John Philip Orbeta.

Orbeta informed that ACPI will not only serve as exclusive local distributor of KTM products but will also manufacture motorcycles for the Philippines and for export to China and Southeast Asian countries.

At the same time, ACPI informed that a 20,000-unit capacity assembly plant is expected to be completed by next year where models like the Duke 200, Duke 390, RC300 and RC390 will be assembled.

KTM brand’s reputation is built on high-quality, premium race ready motorbikes, suitable for street and off road race competition and recreation.

According to Ayala Corp. Industrial president and CEO Arthur Tan, bringing the KTM brand to the Philippines is about having passion and purpose.

“The passion and the purpose comes together because we found a partner who likewise looks beyond a service-backed industry and into a manufacture-based industry, and believing that the Philippines and all the capabilities that is inside the country is enough to be able to be competitive on a global scale,” Tan said.