NEWS FIRST: KTM GROUP NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA SOLD

After 25 years of stable and successful business, Automotive Holdings Group (AHG) has sold the remaining 74% share of its motorcycle importation business (KTM & Husqvarna) to the brands’ parent company KTM.

KTM PRESS RELEASE

AHG has been the exclusive importer and distributor of the KTM brand for the Australian and New Zealand market since 1994, with the Husqvarna Motorcycles and WP Suspension brands joining the stable in recent years.

In 2017 KTM, which is Europe’s leading motorcycle manufacturer purchased a 26% share of the AHG motorcycle importation business. It now moves to full ownership of both KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand.

The move to full ownership will see KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand become full subsidiaries of the Austrian company. Now selling more than 11,000 KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle units combined, the Australian and New Zealand business has become the third largest market in the world for KTM and will now become the third largest subsidiary for the company.

“What a journey it has been since our first AHG Dealer Conference in 1994 and there have been so many significant milestones along the way,” said Jeff Leisk, General Manager, KTM Group Australia and New Zealand.

Jeff Leisk, General Manager, KTM Group Australia and New Zealand.

“I am extremely proud to have seen the KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle brands go from strength to strength in both the Australian and New Zealand markets. We have built strong relationships with our dealers and our customers and this has been the key to our success. Becoming a factory owned subsidiary will increase the level of support that we can offer our dealer network, our staff and our customers, so I am excited about the next chapter,” said Jeff.

About the new acquisition Hubert Trunkenpolz, Chief Marketing Officer, KTM said “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome and our full ownership of KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand. This transaction once again reinforces our commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets. This is a very positive development for the KTM dealer network and the KTM customer in both countries.”

The change will take effect from the 1st July 2019. While the change of ownership is a significant development for both the company and the market, there will be no impact on KTM Group staff or the established dealer networks for KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and WP Suspension.

So what does that mean for us here in New Zealand. Well initially nothing, as it will be business as usual through the whole KTM and Husqvarna dealer network. But what might trickle down eventually is the potential for lower prices on KTM and Husqvarna models and as well as parts.

Effectively, KTM Austria are now ‘cutting out the middle man’ so to speak, meaning price reductions could materialize across the board. But only time will tell.

If nothing else, it means more support for everyone downunder and that’s a good thing all by itself.

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