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KTM returns to profit, selling
fewer motorcycles
Giving signs that motorcycle
manufacturers around the world have found their line through the curve
of the struggling economy, KTM has reported the company is back in the
black.
While discussing the company's
financial results for 2009, KTM's story appeared to follow that of
other motorcycle manufacturers such as Polaris and Triumph; cutting
costs and producing numbers of motorcycle both the dealerships and
public can handle.
But 2009 was certainly challenging
for KTM and not just from the tepid motorcycle market, but from a rule
change at the Dakar rally which would leave the manufacturer without
their best known public appearance.
In June 2009, KTM formerly the dominating brand in the Dakar Rally,
announced it was pulling out of the race after a rule change only
allowed motorcycles with a maximum engine capacity of 450 cc to be
used professional competitors from 2010.
KTM's motorcycle use bigger engines.
"For several years, more and
more of the top bikers have won specials or finished in the leading
ten overall positions using under 450cc bikes. Financially more
accessible and more reliable than the older bikes of the previous
generations and now more adapted to the demands of off-road rallies,
the 450cc still have a deficit in performance that prevent them from
reaching even higher ambitions. This difference will be totally erased
for the 2011 Dakar, during which only bikes with engines under 450cc
will be accepted," the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO),
organizers of the 'South American Dakar' said in a statement.
from Clutch and Chrome
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