Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/303681
34 • May 5, 2014 • Powersports Business MOTORCYCLE www.PowersportsBusiness.com www.PowersportsBusiness.com MOTORCYCLE Powersports Business • May 5, 2014 • 35 KTMR2R has DNA from KTM, CFMOTO Less than six months after China-based CFMOTO and Austria-based announced KTM announced their collaboration on the new KTMR2R brand in China, the new KTMR2R Duke 200 and Duke 390 began rolling off the assembly line at CFMOTO's Hangzhou factory. On March 27, the rolloff ceremony cel- ebrating the first Duke 200 CKD ("Completely Knocked Down" in order to avoid freight charges and customs duties) to be produced on the CFMOTO assembly line brought together executives from both companies: Mr. Guogui Lai, president of CFMOTO; Hubert Trunken- polz, KTM CSO; Harald Ploeckinger, KTM COO; Mr. Li Bin, chairman of the Motorcycle Association of China Association of Auto- mobile Manufacturers; and Raymund Gradt, consul of Austrian Consulate General-Com- mercial Section. They joined media members and dealers to celebrate the milestone. In addi- tion, members of the newly launched Red Bull KTMR2R Star Team were on hand. After CFMOTO and KTM officially announced their KTMR2R partnership in October 2013 at the China International Motorcycle Trade Exposition in Chongqing, both companies have benefitted from coopera- tion in the areas of technology, CKD produc- tion and distribution. "For many years, we were looking for part- ner in China," Trunkenpolz said. "Now we find CFMOTO, which is really a great part- ner. It makes us feel more confident of the China market. The China market is impor- tant for KTM and it is a key part of our global- ization strategy." Since the partnership, CFMOTO has enhanced staff training, quality control and production management as they relate to KTM's processes, all in an effort to cultivate the KTMR2R brand and introduce the CKD bikes with a pure KTM gene into the China market, officials said. In fact, the first CKD 200 Duke rollout lays a solid foundation for more prod- ucts to be launched in the future. With CFMOTO having designed and produced the first large displacement street bike and touring bike in China, its design and manufacturing expertise is well recognized. Both companies share similar brand cultures and product philosophies, allowing for the KTMR2R Duke 200/390 to hit production status in China. RED BULL KTMR2R STAR TEAM UNVEILED Also at the rolloff event, the Red Bull KTMR2R Star team was revealed, and includes a lineup of movie stars, singers and professional racers. The team will compete in the two-week Takla- makan Rally in northwest China beginning on May 5, traversing 6,500 kilometers along parts of the the Silk Road route. KTMR2R currently has three flagship stores in China — Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, with more stores planned. PSB CFMOTO factory rolls out first KTMR2R Duke 200 (Right) Executives from KTM joined their CFMOTO counterparts at the Chinese OEM's factory in Hang- zhou to celebrate the rolloff of the first KTMR2R Duke 200 and Duke 390. The KTM bikes will be produced for the Chinese market on the CFMOTO assembly line. The Red Bull KTMR2R Star team also was revealed. engineering at Chrysler Corp. CEO McNish handles the strategy and finance chores, while Jeff Sinclair takes on the operations and product aspects. His wife, Celia, handles the showroom and interior design, and Finkelman brings a retail specialty. Sullivan's background is private equity. Add it all up and it all up and it's recipe that has them on target to open seven AHM Indian/Victory dealerships in 2014. The group has received approval from Polaris for 15 dealership points. Next up is the east side of Cleveland, with a second store in Chicagoland likely following in Countryside. "Once we decided that we were going to do INDIAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 American Heritage Chicago West staffers joined customer Victoria Keller-Melton upon receipt of her new custom Indian Chief Vintage: (from left) Mike Farrell, sales; Ralph Andrade, service; Mike Velinske, parts and service manager; Jason Mroz, sales; and general manager George Gryparis. Check out more photos of the bike at facebook.com/PSBmagazine. Employees from CFMOTO and KTM were all smiles after watching the first Duke 200 roll off the assembly line in Hangzhou. P30x36-PSB6-Cycle.indd 34 4/23/14 10:58 AM