This week, main OEM takeovers and dedication to our good trade’s idea corners punt us towards the brand new 12 months:
- Bajaj has been authorized to realize full controlling possession of KTM, and a number of the new motions Bajaj is making ready embody reducing overhead prices to the corporate by 50%.
- Zero Bikes’ Lompico Idea was a brand new working system designed to point out off Zero’s capabilities, so we’ve put down all the things we all know in regards to the factor.
- Rejoice! The world’s first solar-powered, self-charging bike has damaged cowl! Vary continues to be TBD, although…
- A beautiful Sweet-Purple, post-WWII Hummel is up for public sale in late January – and she or he’s a stunner.
Let’s begin with KTM’s new possession underneath Bajaj, we could?
Trade Insider: It’s Official – Bajaj is KTM’s New Proprietor
“KTM Will Stay an Austrian Firm”
The rollercoaster experience that started with KTM’s software for self-administration in November 2024 has lastly ended. Following regulatory inexperienced lights from Austrian and European authorities, the rescue package deal from long-time accomplice Bajaj Auto has been formally transformed right into a controlling stake. The share switch finalized on November nineteenth of this 12 months and noticed Bajaj take a 74.9% controlling curiosity in Pierer Mobility AG (quickly to be renamed Bajaj Mobility AG); with this transfer, Bajaj Auto now owns a majority stake in KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, and WP.
For those who recall, this decision was made potential by the €800 million rescue package deal supplied by Bajaj again in Could, permitting KTM to pay collectors 30% of the cash owed and meet their court-mandated deadline.
With the brand new possession confirmed, Pierer-nominated board members have stepped down, and their areas have been changed by Bajaj appointees – a transfer that was purportedly pivotal to the corporate’s success transferring ahead.
In an interview carried out by the incomparable Ben Purvis at CycleWorld with Rajiv Bajaj, the problem that grew to become the straw to interrupt the camel’s again was nothing kind of than operational greed. Overproduction by and coming off of post-lockdown meant that there was over a 12 months’s price of bikes to promote, each at sellers and distributors. An try into the electrical bicycle enterprise and management’s – or prime administration’s – failure to maintain communication ongoing with the companions of the time didn’t assist, both.
| “[The erstwhile KTM management] mentioned European work tradition is useless, wages are too excessive, and dealing hours are too few. They confirmed us graphs evaluating Europe to China and India to that impact. From the surface, to date, what we observe is that there’s a chance to scale back the overheads by greater than 50%. That covers R&D, that covers all advertising and marketing areas, together with racing. That covers all of the operational areas.
Over 50% discount is some huge cash; when it comes to headcount, the erstwhile and present administration that’s been in place since final November have already introduced it down from 6000 to 4000 folks, which, in their very own estimate, continues to be an excessive amount of. [KTM’s financial struggles] is an issue that isn’t brought on by 98% or 99% of the KTM staff. This can be a downside of the highest administration of KTM, the [previous] prime administration of KTM, and that’s why, fairly frankly, most of them are gone.” – Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto (CycleWorld) |
KTM’s new possession has positively affected one KTM CEO, Gottfried Neumeister, who stays stalwart in KTM:
| “With Bajaj as our guardian firm, we now have a powerful trade professional with a world presence, who has been with KTM for a few years now and due to this fact understands our enterprise, model, and merchandise. Bajaj’s strengths and KTM’s experience complement one another completely…
KTM will stay an Austrian firm with impartial administration that performs a pioneering function in analysis and growth, design, product high quality, and racing.” – Gottfried Neumeister, CEO, KTM (CycleWorld) |
For an in depth have a look at the company adjustments and Bajaj’s plans for KTM’s future, make sure to check out the full report on CycleWorld.
Right here’s Every little thing We Know About Zero Bikes’ Lompico Idea
A New Working System Designed to Present Off Zero’s Capabilities
As a lot of you may recall, Zero Bikes used EICMA 2025 to introduce their Lompico Idea; in layman’s phrases, Lompico was offered as a machine constructed solely to showcase Zero’s next-generation tech capabilities.
We determined to gid into just a few particulars you may not find out about what Zero has in retailer for our neighborhood’s future seasons, so we broke it down beneath for simple studying entry:
- Zero used this method to make it simpler for customers to work together with their bikes. The core of this next-generation ecosystem is Cypher 4, an all-new working system. This technological leap delivers clever connectivity and a “rider-first” expertise by a brand new built-in show and cell app assist.
- Cypher 4 consists of the fact that riders will quickly be capable to monitor efficiency, schedule charging, and customise experience modes straight from wherever. ‘Nuff mentioned there.
- The machine carrying Cypher 4 was a middleweight bike able to round 45hp and chargeable to 80% within the house of 1 hour. This efficiency is purportedly backed by a brand new light-weight body, premium suspension, and superior traction management/ABS techniques.
Briefly, Zero Bikes likes the concept that new stuff can make cash whereas bettering the EV trade – and Zero’s CEO, Pierre-Martin Bos, has taken a step additional within the following call-to-action to the EV trade at giant:
– Pierre-Martin Bos, CEO, Zero Bikes (CycleWorld) |
Extra particulars about Zero’s Cypher 4 working system shall be launched in 2026; within the meantime, make sure to try the new Lompico Concept and Zero’s future tech on their website.
New Stuff: World’s First Photo voltaic-Powered Bike Breaks Cowl
Vary TBD…
An organization has invested within the suggestion that sure corners of the powersports trade might quickly be solar-powered.
In line with MASK Architects, their new brainchild has been christened (and registered) as SOLARIS®, the world’s first totally solar-powered, autonomous bike. This machine challenges our present fuel-dependent economic system by suggesting, in plain converse, that there’s a sunny future on the market someplace that might quickly work other than gas stations, electrical grids, and industrial charging networks.
Contemplating we’re nonetheless uncertain as to the place this bike would sit when it comes to pace, sturdiness, and vary (maintain the downhill jokes for now, people), we pulled collectively somewhat checklist of what we all know to date about MASK Architects’ design:
- The SOLARIS® design attracts closely from a leopard. In utilizing feline mimetic language, the corporate merely compares the bike’s “muscular” but light-weight aluminum–carbon composite chassis and forward-leaning poise to that of a cat.
- Retractable photovoltaic wings clearly punt this kitty from predator into the bug or aviary sector, however we aren’t trying too carefully.
- It’s worthwhile noting that this child will use photo voltaic power to hook up a high-torque electrical motor to a high-capacity lithium system, suggesting that the variable elements concerned on this machine – battery capability, panel wattage, and daylight – may make issues a tad difficult in the event you’ve a necessity for pace while pootling about Eire. Or Vancouver. Or Forks.
Helpful options like regenerative braking work to recapture kinetic power (good), whereas a digital cockpit and non-compulsory app connectivity enable riders to trace real-time photo voltaic consumption and efficiency.
May this self-sustaining organism be a catalyst for change, bringing renewable transportation to distant areas and providing a powerful industrial benefit by eliminating gas prices? We expect it’s too early but to know for certain, however with bikes, boats, and resorts of their portfolio, it’s apparent that MASK Architects will at all times have perform first of their design. Goodness is aware of Mask Architects has enough awards and achievements under their belt to be able to turning this factor right into a bodily actuality.
We’re nonetheless dying to know what the vary shall be with this design, however we’ll maintain off on the feedback… for now.
For a more in-depth have a look at the SOLARIS®, make sure to check out MASK Architects on their website.
Eye Sweet: Retro Tin Banana in Sweet Purple to Cross Vegas Block in January
Attractive 1961 DKW (Hummel) 115 Simply Wants some Go-Go Juice to Roll Into the Storage
Put together for some critical Artwork Deco eye sweet to cross Sin Metropolis’s block in late January!
Apparently, Las Vegas Bikes 2026 is quickly to host a fantastically quirky, 1961 DKW 115 (Hummel). Identified affectionately by the European press because the “tin banana” (blechbanane), this specific instance of the futurism of the post-WWII period is beautiful in its Sweet Apple Purple bodywork, full with swooping, Jetsons-esque panels and chrome detailing.
Beneath the beautiful styling, mechanics embody the easy however strong and totally charming 49cc air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed gearbox. Earles-type suspension clothes the entrance with twin shock absorbers and spoke wheels wrapped in Continental whitewall tires, whereas a blue cowl clothes the bike’s ultimate drive, finishing the Hummel’s artwork deco-esque enchantment.
For those who’re contemplating including a chunk of German bike historical past to your storage, we’re advised that this specific DKW is ready to cross the block on January thirtieth underneath Lot R619. The deal may also embody a two-position seat, chrome seize rail, baggage rack, totally practical headlight, taillight, and even a lil’ horn. (toot, toot)
NOTE: Lot R619 shall be offered on a Invoice of Sale and isn’t meant for freeway or public street use! That being mentioned, we’re certain you’ll discover some fairly candy locations to experience this factor. 🙂
For an in depth have a look at the specs, together with the engine and body numbers, and to position your bid, make sure to check out the listing on Mecum Auctions.
*Media sourced from KTM/Bajaj, in addition to Zero Bikes, MASK Architects, and Mecum Auctions*
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