CFMOTO, KTM joint venture grows with new 10-acre facility in China
That didn’t take long. Less than five years after CFMOTO and KTM formed a relationship in which CFMOTO became responsible for the distribution of certain KTM motorcycles in China along with the assembly of select KTM models, the two OEMs have announced another step forward.
A new one-million-square-foot joint venture production facility on 10 acres at CFMOTO headquarters in Hangzhou, China, will have an expected annual output of 50,000 motorcycles. Officials from both companies participated in a groundbreaking ceremony last month.
Ten different motorcycle models will be designed and put into production at the new facility, officials said.
When completed, the new production facility will occupy an area of 10.57 acres and will consist of offices, production, R&D centers, test ride areas and a retail center.
Minjie Lai, general manager of CFMOTO and Harald Plöckinger, COO of KTM AG, reflected on how far both companies have come in the relationship.
“It was November 2011 that CFMOTO and KTM established the original strategic cooperation agreement. CFMOTO started as a KTM importer in China and later started the CKD business. CFMOTO is excited to play an increasingly important role in KTM’s strategic global development,” Lai said.
“The joint venture will bring CFMOTO’s R&D and manufacturing capability to a whole new level. CFMOTO will benefit from KTM’s advanced technology and profound experience from years of being a leader in the powersports industry. KTM recognized how our manufacturing capacity, supply chain management and channel development could help implement their global strategy.”
Lai emphasized CFMOTO’s continued commitment to growing the powersports industry.
“We believe what we have achieved in 2017 lays a solid foundation for a tremendous 2018. CFMOTO will continue to be 100 percent committed to the powersports industry and enhance a greater cooperation with our trustworthy partners, while working to build a magnificent future together.”