Reinhold Zens: the 125 Duke atomized the 125 market

With 6,123 registrations in 2011, KTM posted an increase of + 44.6% on the French motorcycle market. Reinhold Zens, President of KTM France, establishes for Site the 2011 balance sheet of the Austrian brand and reveals its objectives for 2012. Interview.

Site: What do you think of the general evolution of the French motorcycle market in 2011? ?
Reinhold Zens, President of KTM France: It is a relatively stable market given the current turbulence in our economy. However, like the two previous years, the trend is more negative than positive, which is more dangerous for general practitioners than for brands with a strong character..

MNC: What is your assessment of your year in 125 and large cubes? ?
R. Z.: We are progressing in both markets, with an explosion in sales in 125 thanks to our famous 125 Duke, but we have also gained significant market share on the more than 125. Our results are extremely positive.

MNC: Are you fully satisfied with the results of your best sales: your off-road models of course, but also your Duke 125, 990 SMT, 690 SMC and RC8? ?
R. Z.: Yes, fully! The 125 Duke has registered more than 1300 registrations in eight months, the 990 SMT is establishing itself as a benchmark motorcycle among the big cubes, and we have never had such a large market share in Superbikes as in 2011 thanks to the new RC8R. In all-terrain, the innovations in Cross and Enduro have enabled us to achieve extraordinary sales performance..

MNC: Which models have you been disappointed with in sales and why ?
R. Z.: Not a single model has disappointed us !

MNC: Immates are not everything: how would you qualify your balance sheet? ?
R. Z.: The balance sheet is rather positive. We manage to preserve a margin that allows us to reinvest in new models for the future.

MNC: In your opinion, did your new products for 2011 (125 Duke, RC8 R Track and SMT ABS) pass their first year? ?
R. Z.: The KTM 125 Duke atomized the 125 market, a market that was waiting for something new like this. KTM has never known such enthusiasm for the launch of a new product, with more than 1300 registrations in just eight months! The RC8R Track, heralded as a real competition machine, has managed to prove KTM’s legitimacy in this segment. And in 2011 the SMT reached nearly 500 registered units, which places it on the market as one of the benchmark models.

MNC: What was the pleasant surprise 2011 ?
R. Z.: The 125 Duke which brought color to the 125 market, until then rather sad.

MNC: What was the worst ?
R. Z.: Any.

MNC: According to you, what was the highlight of 2011 in the world of two-wheelers? ?
R. Z.: The Paris show, which was a real success !

MNC: About this Paris Motor Show 2011, what is your assessment and what improvements would you make to the 2013 edition? ?
R. Z.: The Paris Motor Show was a real success, especially for KTM because it was an opportunity to make French bikers understand that our brand is more than ever ready to conquer their hearts in the coming years..

MNC: How were your 2012 novelties (690 and 200 Duke, Freeride 350 and Freeride E in particular) received by your network and by all bikers ?
R. Z.: Like us, the network is really confident about our new 2012 releases. The 690 Duke makes the brand more accessible to a wider audience because it is a very accessible motorcycle. It is now a real alternative on the naked mid-size market, a real competitor of flagship models like the ER-6n. Freeride makes enduro-leisure accessible to everyone, a mission that is close to the heart of KTM as a market leader.

MNC: In 2012, what will be your objectives ?
R. Z.: We will continue our path and our strategy and we will always try to make the KTM family bigger..

MNC: What will be your major events in 2012 ?
R. Z.: The MX Championship, the US Supercross, the MX Trophy, the MX Academy, the Enduro 125 Trophy, KTM Mania, the World and France Championship in Enduro, the enduro classics, the Husaberg Enduro Trophy, the Orange Days, the TNT Superbike, road rally, Moto Tour, PowerDays and many more !

MNC: In conclusion, which maxim would best illustrate your 2011 balance sheet? ?
R. Z.: KTM opens to the general public without losing the essential values ​​of the brand.

Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE

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