The local dealer of Austrian motorcycle brand KTM is targeting to sell nearly 3,000 units and open new dealerships in the Philippines this year.
Adventure Cycle Philippines Inc. (ACPI) President and Chief Operating Officer Andre Angelo Santos told the BusinessMirror that KTM 200 Duke, KTM RC200 and Husqvarna Svartpilen 200 are likely to drive sales this year.
“However, we are seeing a swing in demand to the 400cc models, such as the KTM 390 Adventure, KTM 390 Duke, and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401,” Santos said.
Santos said the company’s mid-size displacements banks are also “picking up.” These models are KTM 790 Adventure R, KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 790 Duke.
All the models mentioned are manufactured locally, he said.
“This year, we are looking to open three dealers while converting 15 existing stores to carry KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle brands,” Santos said.
The ACPI chief said the firm currently has 40 dealerships across the country, two of which were opened last year.
As for exports, the KTM distributor expects to ship between 8,000 to 10,000 units this year.
Santos narrated that last year was challenging for the company as it had to close stores during “some of the best riding months” amid the lockdown protocols implemented due to pandemic, negatively affecting sales.
The restrictions in mobility were also a bane for the logistics, he said, noting that transporting bikes and parts was more difficult.
“Thirdly, with the uncertainty of the situation, in general, many people are opting to hold off on any big purchases for now, which includes forms of transport,” Santos said.
“However, upon lifting of the lockdowns, we saw an increase in the interest in personal mobility. More and more people are embracing motorcycles as a form of transport as opposed to multiple people sharing space in one vehicle.”
Earlier this year, the company launched Husqvarna Motorcycles: Svartpilen 200, Svartpilen 401, and Vitpilen 401.
“We are always working and striving to build more models in our factory, showcasing the capabilities of our Philippine factory and the skill of our Filipino workforce,” Santos said.
In 2017, Adventure Cycle inaugurated its KTM manufacturing facility at the Laguna Technopark in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.