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KTM Adds GasGas to Portfolio

  • KTM has inked a joint venture with Spanish manufacturer GasGas.

  • The cooperation will see the co-development of trials, enduro and electric bikes in Spain.

  • While GasGas is predominantly known as a trials manufacturer, they manufacturer other offroad bikes as well.

KTM has inked a joint venture with Spanish manufacturer GasGas.

The deal was inked between KTM Industries AG and Black Toro Capital, the owners of GasGas Motorcycles.

The cooperation will see the co-development of trials, enduro and electric bikes in Spain. The press release also stated that production of GasGas bikes and Torot electric vehicles will continue in Girona, Spain. GaGas will also benefit from KTM’s extensive sales and distribution network.

KTM will have three brands under their umbrella i.e. KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas. However, the joint venture is subject to antitrust authorities’ approval.

Earlier, it was announced that KTM Industries Group will be known as the Pierer Mobility Group in the future. KTM is now Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. Besides owning Husqvarna and the possibility of GasGas soon, the group also owns WP Suspension.

On the other hand, GasGas specializes in offroad motorcycles since their inception in 1985. Their first bike was a trials bike in 1985, followed by enduro and motocross bikes in 1989, before adding quads to their model line-up in 2002.

Photo credit tmxnews.co.uk

Since then, they are predominantly known as a trials bike manufacturer when Jordi Tarrés won three successive world trials championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

Additionally, they won the Trial Outdoor World Championship in 2005 and 2006 with Adam Raga. Raga also took the Trial Indoor World Championship in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

While they’ve made a name in trials, the company was also successful in enduro events. Paul Edmonson won two World Enduro Championships – the 125cc title in 1994 and 250cc title in 1996. Petteri Silvan then won the 250cc championship in 1999, followed by Petri Pohiamo in the 125cc class in 2003.

Wahid's lust for motorcycles was spurred on by his late-Dad's love for his Lambretta on which he courted, married his mother, and took baby Wahid riding on it. He has since worked in the motorcycle and automotive industry for many years, before taking up riding courses and testing many, many motorcycles since becoming a motojournalist. Wahid likes to see things differently. What can you say about a guy who sees a road safety message in AC/DC's "Highway to Hell."

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