In another sensational rumour or news – depending on if it goes through – in the KTM saga, BMW is said to be interested in buying KTM.
The news was posted by an Austrian business media oe24, saying that they learned from an insider familiar with KTM’s restructuring. Creditors are set to vote on KTM AG’s future later today (25th February) at 9:00 A.M. Austrian time (4:00 P.M. Malaysian time). The insider also told oe24 that Dr. Peter Vogl, who is the insolvency administrator, “has a preference for a specific buyer, namely BMW Motorrad.”
“At the settlement meeting on Tuesday, BMW Motorrad intends to step in as an investor and continue the KTM brand,” he further added.
The insider had also claimed that Oberbank is the party pushing BMW Motorrad to acquire KTM. “Their CEO, Franz Gasselsberger, has strong ties to the BMW Group, as the Oberbank is also the house bank for the BMW engine plant in Steyr.”
However, taking the BMW route would be disastrous for KTM’s 4,500 employees as they could be laid off by end-2025. It was said that BMW will want to move KTM’s research and development department to Munich, Germany, while production will move completely to India.
Additionally, KTM’s present suppliers in Austria will also lose out if the deal with BMW works out as the latter would definitely resort to their own suppliers. Hence, there is concern that there will be mass bankruptcies in Austria.
If that is not bad enough, BMW’s takeover would mean that the Austrian taxpayers will have to shoulder €225 million as the country’s insolvency burden equalisation fund pays for for the laid off workers.
On the other hand, BMW’s buyout will see BMW Motorrad’s MotoGP plans may be fast-tracked.
