KTM and Bajaj
At what point does a European Company become an Asian Company?
This is from Motocross Action website:
Bajaj, India's second-largest motorcycle manufacturer, has bought another 6.3% of KTM, according to the Economic Times. That gives Baja a little over 47% of KTM stock. It was an open market transaction, which means that Bajaj bought the shares from the key stake holders.
KTM president Stefan Pierer and Rudolf Knuenz hold more than a 51% stake in the company. Rajiv Bajaj said, ?We do not want to be the majority stakeholder as to convey the perception of exclusivity and premiumness." Even as the market for motorcycles in Europe and USA shrank by 5%, KTM successfully managed to increase sales by 13.4%. In 2011 KTM produced 81,200 bikes. Bajaj made 11,000 out of 81,000 bikes that KTM sold in 2011. During the first two months of 2012, KTM edged past BMW as the largest selling brand in Europe.
Not intending this as criticism of either company. Simply a discussion point about your perception of European and Asian motorcycle companies.
Clay
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