790-based big bikes most likely candidate

When Ayala Corp. acquired the rights to distribute the KTM brand here in the country, part of their plan was manufacturing KTM motorcycles here in the country. Operating under Ayala Corp's automotive group,  AC Industrial Technology Holdings, Inc., KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc. (KAMMI) has already been locally manufacturing the Duke 200 / 390 and RC 200 / 390 since early 2017.

Recent developments have revealed that KTM is beginning to develop more manufacturing facilities outside its home country of Austria, particularly a new manufacturing plant in China, in partnership with CF Moto, dedicated to the production of KTM LC8 engines. With this move to spread out production, the question arose if the Philippines, with the facilities and production capability already in place, was also being considered.

KTM PH eyeing local production of big bikes image

“That’s not a very far-fetched reality” confirmed our source from Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), the Ayala branch that sells and distributes the KTM brand in the country. According to our source, although the much bigger flagship bikes like the 1290 Duke, Adventure/R and GT will still be produced in Austria, the Duke 790 — including the upcoming 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R — could be produced inside the walls of their Laguna facility. Like the current Duke/ RC models being produced there already, the 790s could be produced mainly for export in the ASEAN region. “Although we’re not yet on full steam, our current production only takes about 30% for the local market consumption, and the rest are for our ASEAN neighbors,” said our source.

KTM PH eyeing local production of big bikes image

As part of the current ASEAN trade agreements, our government could lift levies if the for-export products have at least 30% - 40% locally sourced / produced parts. If given a green light, this will mean that our country will produce its first-ever big bike in the form of the Duke / Adventure 790. The expansion of KAMMI's production lineup could create more jobs for Filipinos, as well as be a source of national pride.

When asked if we already have a start date in place, say for example, the third quarter of this year or early 2020, our source just said, “soon”.