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Kumpulan Mobiliti Pierer, yang kini merupakan pengeluar jentera dua roda terkemuka di Eropah selepas mengambil alih jenama KTM, mencapai kejayaan yang ketara dalam separuh pertama tahun 2023 dengan 190,293 motosikal dijual — peningkatan sebanyak 16.5 peratus dari tahun 2022.

Menyelusuri tahun 2024, kumpulan ini bertujuan untuk mengukuhkan kedudukannya dengan menjual jenama basikal R Raymon dan Felt serta memberi tumpuan kepada pengeluaran e-basikal Husqvarna dan GasGas.

Keputusan strategik ini memfokuskan usaha pada empat jenama motosikal utama: KTM, GasGas, Husqvarna, dan MV Agusta. Pada masa yang sama, kumpulan ini merancang untuk memotong 300 pekerjaan di kilang Austria dan mengalihkan pengeluaran ke rakan kongsi di India (dengan Bajaj) dan China (dengan CFMoto), berserta pemindahan beberapa aktiviti penyelidikan dan pembangunan.

Langkah ini dikemukakan setelah analisis penciri dibuat terhadap situasi ekonomi Eropah, meramalkan pengecutan pada tahun 2024, terutamanya dengan Bank Pusat Eropah mengekalkan kadar faedah semasa. Walaupun cabaran ekonomi, likuiditi kukuh kumpulan ini membolehkan sokongan kepada peniaga dan pembekal, menjadikan tahun 2024 sebagai tahun pengukuharaan.

Keputusan untuk memindahkan pengeluaran ke China dibenarkan oleh kerjasama positif dengan CFMoto. Model pertengahan 790 Duke dan 790 Adventure telah dipindahkan ke China, memanfaatkan kos pengeluaran yang lebih rendah dan meningkatkan kehadiran KTM di pasaran Timur Jauh.

Kumpulan Mobiliti Pierer dan CFMoto merancang untuk meningkatkan pengeluaran bersama dari 50,000 hingga 100,000 unit. Lembaga pengarah kekal optimistik untuk mengekalkan tahap jualan 2023 pada tahun 2024, dengan sasaran margin EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) antara 5 hingga 7 peratus. Bagi memastikan keuntungan, pengurangan kos berjuta-juta dalam tahun kewangan 2024 akan dilaksanakan.

Menunjukkan keyakinan terhadap warisan MV Agusta, Kumpulan Mobiliti Pierer menyorot kejayaan model baru MV Agusta LXP Orioli dengan enjin tiga silinder 900cc. Untuk meningkatkan kehadiran MV Agusta secara global, model-model akan diedarkan melalui rangkaian peniaga Kumpulan Mobiliti Pierer.

Akhirnya, pilihan panggilan bagi KTM AG untuk mendapatkan majoriti pegangan dalam MV Agusta, berdasarkan penyata kewangan tahunan sehingga 31 Disember 2025, akan dilaksanakan pada musim bunga 2026 — titik perubahan penting bagi legenda Itali yang akhirnya keluar dari tahun-tahun ketidakpastian kewangan.

Pierer Mobility Group, now the leading European two-wheel manufacturer after acquiring KTM, achieved notable success in the first half of 2023 with 190,293 bikes sold — a 16.5 percent increase from 2022.

Looking ahead to 2024 and according to reports circulating the web, the group aims to strengthen its position by selling the R Raymon and Felt bicycle brands and focusing on Husqvarna and GasGas e-bicycle production.

This strategic decision concentrates efforts on the core motorcycle brands: KTM, GasGas, Husqvarna, and MV Agusta. Simultaneously, the group plans to cut 300 jobs in Austrian plants and shift production to partnerships in India (with Bajaj) and China (with CFMoto), along with relocating some R&D activities.

This move is prompted by an analysis of Europe’s economic situation, anticipating a 2024 contraction, particularly with the European Central Bank maintaining current interest rates. Despite economic challenges, the group’s solid liquidity enables support for dealers and suppliers, making 2024 a consolidation year.

The decision to relocate production to China is justified by a positive collaboration with CFMoto. The 790 Duke and 790 Adventure mid-displacement models have already been moved to China, capitalizing on lower production costs and enhancing KTM’s presence in Far East markets.

Pierer Mobility Group and CFMoto plan to double joint production from 50,000 to 100,000 units. The board remains optimistic about maintaining 2023 sales levels in 2024, targeting an EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) margin of 5 to 7 percent. To ensure profitability, the management plans double-digit million cost-cutting measures in 2024.

Expressing confidence in MV Agusta’s legacy, Pierer Mobility Group highlights the success of the new MV Agusta LXP Orioli adventure model with a 900cc three-cylinder engine. To boost MV Agusta’s global presence, models will be distributed through the Pierer Mobility Group dealer network.

Finally, the call option for KTM AG to acquire a majority stake in MV Agusta, based on the annual financial statements as of December 31, 2025, will be exercised in spring 2026—a significant turning point for the Italian legend, ending years of financial uncertainty.

Presiden Yamaha di Eropah sudah menjelaskan mengenai kerjasama terkini antara Yamaha dan CFMoto, dengan menekankan bahawa motosikal yang dihasilkan melalui perkongsian ini hanya akan dijual di pasaran China sahaja.

Pada bulan September 2023, Yamaha mengumumkan kerjasama pembuatan bersama dengan CFMoto di China. Berita ini mencetuskan spekulasi bahawa beberapa model Yamaha yang sepatutnya untuk pasaran Eropah dan Asia mungkin akan dihasilkan oleh syarikat CFMoto, yang sebelum ini sudah bekerjasama dengan jenama Austria, KTM. Menariknya, CFMoto sudah bertanggungjawab untuk membuat model 790 Adventure dan Duke daripada KTM di China.

Untuk menghilangkan sebarang salah faham, Yamaha di Jepun mengeluarkan kenyataan yang menegaskan bahawa kerjasama ini adalah untuk tujuan kerjasama industri sahaja dan motosikal yang dihasilkan akan khusus untuk pasaran China. Untuk mendapatkan penjelasan lanjut, majalah Motorcycle News (MCN) berbual dengan Presiden Yamaha Eropah, Eric de Seynes (bawah). Menurut Seynes, perkongsian dengan CFMoto ini direka untuk menyokong pasaran China yang besar dengan menghasilkan model Yamaha yang spesifik.

Seynes membincangkan perbandingan dengan kerjasama CFMoto bersama KTM, menekankan sifat berbeza kerjasama Yamaha dengan CFMoto. Beliau menekankan bahawa perjanjian dengan CFMoto tidak boleh dibandingkan dengan tahap integrasi yang terdapat dalam kerjasama CFMoto-KTM.

Seynes menggambarkan perjanjian ini sebagai satu peluang yang didorong oleh keinginan untuk menyokong pasaran China yang semakin berkembang. Selain itu, beliau menekankan perbezaan dalam skala, struktur organisasi, dan cara berkomunikasi antara CFMoto dan Yamaha, dengan menegaskan bahawa kerjasama ini tidak bertujuan sebagai cabaran kepada kedudukan KTM dalam pasaran.

Secara keseluruhannya, kerjasama Yamaha dengan CFMoto dianggap sebagai langkah strategik yang direka khas untuk menangani permintaan unik pasaran China, dengan menarikkan garis yang jelas antara kerjasama ini dan kerjasama CFMoto dengan KTM.

Yamaha’s European President has sought to clarify the recent collaborative venture between Yamaha and CFMoto, emphasizing that any motorcycles resulting from this partnership will be exclusively intended for the domestic Chinese market.

In September 2023, Yamaha had announced a strategic manufacturing joint venture with CFMoto in China. This announcement sparked speculation that some Yamaha models intended for the European market might be produced by CFMoto, given the latter’s existing collaboration with Austrian brand KTM. Notably, CFMoto is responsible for manufacturing KTM’s 790 Adventure and Duke parallel twins in China.

To dispel any misconceptions, Yamaha Japan issued a statement explicitly outlining that the collaboration was focused solely on industrial cooperation for manufacturing vehicles in China, catering specifically to the Chinese market.

Seeking additional clarification, Motorcycle News (MCN) engaged in a conversation with Yamaha Europe’s President, Eric de Seynes (above). According to Seynes, the joint venture with CFMoto is designed to support the immense Chinese market by producing specific Yamaha models.

Seynes addressed comparisons with CFMoto’s collaboration with KTM, highlighting the distinct nature of Yamaha’s partnership. He emphasized that the arrangement with CFMoto is not comparable to the level of integration observed in the CFMoto-KTM collaboration.

Seynes characterized the deal as opportunistic, driven by the desire to effectively serve the growing Chinese market. Furthermore, he underscored the differences in scale, organizational structure, and communication practices between CFMoto and Yamaha, asserting that the collaboration is not intended as a challenge to KTM’s position in the market.

In essence, Yamaha’s collaboration with CFMoto is portrayed as a strategic move tailored to address the unique demands of the Chinese market, with a clear distinction drawn between this partnership and CFMoto’s collaboration with KTM.

Pengeluar motosikal China dulunya kurang popular, dan lebih tertumpu kepada harga yang mampu milik. Tapi sekarang, situasi dah berubah, begitu juga dengan produk mereka. Jentera seperti Zontes, Moto Morini, Benelli, dan sekarang CFMoto telah melompat jauh dalam kualiti produk mereka. Tapi yang buat produk mereka menarik adalah teknologi yang ada di dalam. Ya, dulu mereka bergantung pada rakan jenama besar untuk inovasi dan teknologi, tapi sekarang tidak lagi.

Dulu, CFMoto cuma buat enjin untuk KTM, tapi sekarang mereka keluarkan enjin sendiri – enjin tiga silinder yang direka dan dibuat sendiri. Dominasi Triumph dan Yamaha dalam menghasilkan enjin tiga silinder yang paling mantap di dunia mungkin tercabar sekarang. Tapi apa benda enjin ni? Kat mana kita boleh tengoknya? Yang paling penting, bila kita boleh tengok enjin ni dalam motosikal?

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Chinese motorcycle manufacturers were once relegated to the lower echelons of the industry, relying on affordability rather than innovation to secure their market share. However, significant transformation has taken place, and brands such as Zontes, Moto Morini, Benelli, and now CFMoto have elevated their products to amazing new heights.

The key to their newfound appeal lies not only in improved product quality but also in the cutting-edge hardware embedded within their motorcycles. While these manufacturers once depended on strategic brand partnerships for technological advancements, they have now emerged as independent innovators.

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Diumumkan secara rasmi di EICMA tahun ini, CFMoto kini telah melancarkan 450 CL-C di Filipina, yang menjadi pasaran pertama di luar China yang menyambut motor baru ini.

Sebagai rakan kepada 450 SS dan 450 NK, 450 CL-C menonjol sebagai kruiser dalam trio tersebut, memeluk gabungan yang menjadikan siri SS dan NK yang begitu diterima ramai: kombinasi reka bentuk yang licin, perkakasan berkualiti, dan harga yang menarik. Dijual pada harga 287,900 PHP di Filipina, kira-kira US$5,200 atau RM24,299 berdasarkan kadar pertukaran semasa, model ini menawarkan pilihan yang menarik dalam kelasnya.

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Officially introduced at EICMA this year, CFMoto has now launched the CL-C in the Philippines, making it the first market outside of China to welcome the new bike.

As a counterpart to the 450 SS and the 450 NK, the 450 CL-C stands out as the cruiser of the trio, embracing the winning combination that made the SS and NK lines so widely embraced: a blend of sleek design, quality hardware, and an attractive price tag. Priced at 287,900 PHP in the Philippines, roughly US$5,200 or RM24,299 based on the current exchange rate, this model offers a compelling option in its class.

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Syarikat China, CFMoto, telah memperkenalkan model konsep kruiser pertamanya, 450 CL-C Low Rider, pada tahun ini, mempamerkan potensi evolusinya di pameran EICMA 2023. Bobber yang memukau ini secara bijak menyatukan pelbagai komponen baru dan klasik, memberi petanda kemungkinan wujudnya model pengeluaran pada masa depan. Yang perlu diperhatikan, ia menampilkan iterasi yang diperbaharui dari garpu depan girder klasik.

Girder fork, bentuk lama suspensi hadapan motosikal yang mendahului fork teleskopik, biasanya dikaitkan dengan motosikal dari tahun 1930-an dan sebelumnya, selaras dengan gaya bobber Low Rider. CFMoto dengan bijak menyusun semula susunan spring dan shock untuk mencapai pakej yang lebih lancar.

Dalam girder fork tradisional, roda depan digantung di antara cetakan kukuh yang dikenali sebagai ‘girders,’ sangat kuat dalam arah ke hadapan-belakang untuk menahan daya pengereman yang mungkin melengkungkan fork teleskopik. Reka bentuk Low Rider ini mengekalkan kekuatan ciri ini tetapi memperkenalkan perubahan dari tradisi dengan meletakkan single front shock secara mendatar dan melintang, berjalan di sepanjang depan motosikal di bawah lampu hadapan.

Berbeza dengan fork gaya Hossack yang terdapat dalam beberapa model lain, susunan CFMoto melibatkan pautan berbentuk wishbone yang berputar pada girders di bahagian depan dan pada dudukan yang melekat pada handlebar konvensional. Apabila gagang berpusing, seluruh wishbone dan shock bergerak, mengingatkan pada girder fork pra-peperangan.

Aspek yang menarik dari reka bentuk CFMoto adalah kedudukan single front shock. Berbeza dengan penempatan vertikal konvensional, ia dipasang secara mendatar dan melintang di bawah lampu hadapan, memerlukan penggunaan sistem pautan suspensi yang canggih. Konfigurasi ini menggunakan rocker atau bell cranks dan sistem pull-rod dengan front shock Öhlins, memberikan kelebihan dari segi susunan yang lebih padat dan keupayaan untuk mencipta kesan kadar naik untuk suspensi yang semakin kaku.

Walaupun mempunyai kelebihan ini, girder fork memperkenalkan lebih banyak jisim tidak tergantung berbanding dengan fork teleskopik. Konsep Low Rider berintegrasi dengan lancar dengan komponen mekanikal CL-C 450 yang sedia ada, termasuk rangka, swingarm, dan enjin parallel-twin 449cc yang menghasilkan kuasa 40hp. Ini menunjukkan bahawa versi pengeluaran motosikal tersebut mungkin dapat direalisasikan tanpa cabaran, menjadikannya satu prospek yang menarik untuk masa depan.

Chinese company CFMoto has introduced its inaugural cruiser model, the 450CL-C, this year, showcasing its potential evolution at the 2023 EICMA show through the CL-C Low Ride Concept. This captivating bobber ingeniously incorporates numerous standard components, hinting at the likelihood of a future production model. Notably, it features a revamped iteration of the classic girder front fork.

Girder forks, a vintage form of motorcycle front suspension predating telescopic forks, are commonly associated with motorcycles from the 1930s and earlier, perfectly aligning with the bobber style of the Low Ride. CFMoto has innovatively reconfigured the spring and shock arrangement to achieve a more streamlined package.

In traditional girder forks, the front wheel is suspended between sturdy castings known as ‘girders,’ exceptionally robust in the fore-aft direction to withstand braking forces that might flex a telescopic fork. CFMoto’s design retains this characteristic strength but introduces a departure from tradition by positioning the single front shock horizontally and transversely, running across the front of the bike below the headlight.

Unlike the Hossack-style forks found in some other models, CFMoto’s setup involves wishbone-shaped links that pivot on the girders both at the front and on brackets attached to a conventional steering stem. When the bars turn, the entire wishbones and shock move, reminiscent of the pre-war girder forks.

An intriguing aspect of CFMoto’s design is the position of the single front shock. Instead of the conventional vertical placement, it is mounted horizontally and transversely below the headlight, necessitating the use of a sophisticated suspension linkage. This configuration employs rockers or bell cranks and a pull-rod system with Öhlins front shock, offering advantages in terms of a more compact layout and the ability to create a rising-rate effect for a progressively stiffer suspension.

Despite these advantages, the girder fork does introduce more un-sprung mass compared to telescopic forks. The Low Ride concept integrates seamlessly with the mechanical components of the existing CL-C 450, including the frame, swingarm, and a 40hp, 449cc parallel-twin engine. This suggests that a production version of the bike could be realized without significant challenges, making it an exciting prospect for the future.

This new entrant to CFMoto’s lineup aims to carve a unique niche in the middleweight adventure bike category, combining elements such as reduced weight, a refined twin-cylinder engine, compact dimensions, and an off-road-oriented chassis.

At the core of the CFMoto 450MT lies a potent 449cc water-cooled DOHC parallel-twin engine, generating an impressive 43.6 horsepower and 44 Nm of torque. What distinguishes this engine is its 270-degree crankshaft, producing a distinctive growl, reminiscent of a V-twin powerplant.

The motorcycle’s chassis is adventure-ready, featuring a steel tube main frame with a trellis-style subframe. The suspension setup comprises an inverted KYB front fork and a multi-link KYB monoshock at the rear, both offering a generous 200 mm of travel and adjustable damping. The 450MT rides on cross-spoke tubeless wheels, with a dirt-friendly 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel, making it well-suited for various terrains.

A notable aspect of the 450MT is that CFMoto has integrated its trusted 450cc platform into an off-road adventure chassis for the first time. This platform has previously proven its reliability in CFMoto’s sport, classic, and naked models, instilling confidence in its performance.

To enhance rider comfort and control, CFMoto has provided the 450MT with an accommodating seat height, which can be set at either 800 mm in the low position or 820 mm in the high position. Despite this, the bike maintains a respectable ground clearance of 220 mm.

With a substantial 17.5 liters fuel tank, the 450MT promises a decent range for its modest engine displacement. Braking is entrusted to a single 320 mm front disc with a 4-piston caliper, while the rear wheel features a 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper, both crafted by J.Juan.

In terms of weight, the 450MT boasts a dry weight of 175 kg, positioning it as a nimble and manageable choice for riders. It’s wheelbase measures 59.3 inches, ensuring a compact footprint for enhanced maneuverability.

The motorcycle comes equipped with several standard features, including an adjustable windscreen, full wrap-around handguards, an aluminum skid plate, a rear rack, and a slipper clutch. It’s important to note that the throttle is mechanical, indicating that the 450MT lacks electronic rider aids, except for ABS and traction control.

One standout feature of the new model is its 5-inch curved TFT screen with Over-The-Air (OTA) functionality, enabling wireless updates for the motorcycle’s electronics. Additionally, the TFT screen supports MotoPlay, offering a full map on the bike’s dashboard for an enhanced navigation experience.

For riders looking to customize their bike further, the 450MT seems to provide high fender options and a range of accessories, such as upper and lower crash bars, rear pannier racks, hard cases, and more.

CFMoto has announced its plan to release the 450MT overseas in the first quarter of 2024, featuring two distinct color choices, Zephyr Blue and Tundra Grey. 

In a segment that has seemed dormant for some time, with prominent models like the Yamaha YZF-R6 and Honda CBR600RR facing challenges due to emission restriction, enthusiasts now have reason to be excited. CFMoto, recently unveiled a promising new addition to the supersports category at the Zhuzhou International Circuit during CFMoto Day—the 675SR.

The 675SR aims to fill the void left by the absence of iconic supersport models, boasting an inline-triple powerplant with a displacement of 675cc. While specifics remain limited, CFMoto has disclosed that it’s expected to produce approximately 74lb ft of torque per liter, totaling around 50lb ft—nearly matching the performance of the venerable Daytona 675.

Triumph, on the other hand, plans to reintroduce the Daytona name, but with a different approach. Their forthcoming machine, based on the Trident 660’s core, will have a 660cc engine and a more relaxed riding demeanor, targeting Honda CBR650R sales.

The CFMoto 675SR’s potential to outshine the new Daytona remains uncertain, but early indications are promising. The motorcycle appears to feature a unique engine design, with hints that it may have evolved from the CFMoto 450SR’s parallel-twin engine, incorporating additional capacity and an extra cylinder.

CFMoto has tantalizingly described the 675SR as possessing a “monstrous delivery to the rear wheel” and touting “first-class features” in areas crucial for both road and track performance, including brakes, chassis, equipment, and design.

With the 675SR seen in action at the Zhuzhou circuit, it’s evident that development is well underway. Enthusiasts eagerly await more information about this intriguing entry into the supersport arena. Stay tuned for updates on what could be a game-changer in the world of sportbikes.

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