KTM Ends European CFMoto Distribution
The move from KTM comes after its decision to focus entirely on the realignment of its own brands
KTM has confirmed this morning that it will no longer handle the distribution of CFMoto bikes on the European continent, with joint manufacturing in Asia set to continue.
The move from the Austrian brand comes while the company is still in a state of repair following its heavily reported financial woes, which began last year. To help steady the ship, KTM bosses have steadily been streamlining the business, with MV Agusta being the first high-profile cut-back, which was sold back to the Sardarov family in February this year.
The latest move to help ease the burden is the CFMoto distribution deal, which was only signed back in 2022. It means that an as yet unknown distributor will take over the movement of CFMoto’s machines from May 31 onwards. It also confirms that CFMoto will still facilitate the distribution of KTM models in China. The full statement from KTM reads:
“The past few weeks have been marked by significant changes within the KTM Group. The company will focus entirely on the realignment of its own brands in order to effectively pursue its strategic goals.
“As a result, KTM and its long-standing partner CFMOTO have agreed to discontinue KTM's existing distribution responsibility for CFMOTO and ZEEHO in Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Spain) effective 31st May 2025. Until then, CFMOTO Motorcycles Distribution GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of KTM AG, will remain the contact for all dealers within the sales region. Starting 1st June 2025, new and as yet unnamed importers will assume responsibility for CFMOTO.
“This decision was mutually agreed between both companies and applies exclusively to the distribution agreement described above. Existing cooperations, in particular joint production in China, remain unaffected, as does the distribution of KTM motorcycles in China by CFMOTO.”
The deal from KTM to partner with CFMoto seems to have been one of the brand’s more sensible moves, and the news that joint production is continuing in Asia is welcome. It does make you wonder, though, what other cost-cutting measures could be on the horizon. For more on that, we will have to wait and see.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
