BIZ BUZZ: Ayala unit gives up KTM, Husqvarna

KTM AG, the largest European motorcycle manufacturer from Austria that specializes in “Ready to Race” on and off road vehicles, has cut ties with Adventure Cycle Philippines Inc. (ACPI), a member of the Ayala Group.

In a social media post last Friday, KTM Philippines said that ACPI will cease operations as KTM and Husqvarna distributor on Sept. 30, as ACPI had “mutually agreed” with KTM AG to pre-terminate the importer agreement after eight years of partnership.

Thus effective Oct. 1, Lucky MAPI will take over as the new exclusive distributor of KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles and products in the Philippines.

Lucky MAPI will also oversee the marketing, sales, after-sales services and other operational activities relating to the KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle brands in the Philippines.

But it looks like it will just be the distributorship agreement that will be changed, as the motorcycles will still be made at the Laguna plant of KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc., a joint venture majority owned by AC Industrials in partnership with KTM AG.

This makes sense considering the Ayala Group’s desire to push the electrical vehicle agenda, thus the focus on BYD, for example.

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Given this, the character of the marriage with KTM has changed, but it’s not a divorce.

For now, at least.