KTM has been in some seriously hot water, as we've talked extensively about the Austrian brand’s situation time and time again, and have been covering the story as it unfolds. If you want an in-depth look of what’s been going on, click here. But in a nutshell, the once-mighty Austrian brand, known for its aggressive global expansion and racing prowess, is now drowning in debt, stuck with warehouses full of unsold bikes, and scrambling to stay afloat.
With about €2.9 billion owed to creditors, stakeholders, employees, and many others, as well as a year’s worth of motorcycles sitting in dealerships, it’s no surprise that KTM has had to make some very difficult decisions—one of them being the sale of its majority stake in boutique Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.
Just two years ago, KTM swooped in to supposedly save MV Agusta, and potentially bring it to the mainstream. KTM first acquired a 25.1% share in 2022 before bumping it up to 50.1% in 2024, ultimately giving it a controlling stake in the brand. The plan? Use KTM’s resources and technological know-how to bring some financial stability to the Italian brand, all while adding a touch of exotic flair to its own portfolio, which at the time, looked like it would do nothing but grow.
