KTM buys majority stake in GasGas to build new electric motorcycles

KTM has announced it has taken a 60 per cent stake in GASGAS motorcycles in a deal that will see the companies collaborate on a range of electric vehicles.

The Austrian giant has been in talks with parent company Black Toro Capital – owners of the Spanish brand – to purchase a stake that would expand its reach into the off-road market and give it a new European production base.

In return, GasGas and Torrot electric vehicle products will be sold alongside KTM and Husqvarna machinery in its wide dealer network.

“A co-operation was signed and both partners see this as a starting point for a bright future of the international well-known brand GasGas. New models will be developed alongside the Trial and Enduro bikes of GasGas

“As part of the Joint Venture the production of GasGas products and Torrot electric vehicles will be continued in Girona/Spain.

“It is intended that GasGas will be added, alongside KTM and HUSQVARNA Motorcycles & eBikes as third brand to the strong sales network of the KTM Industries group (PIERER Mobility group).”

KTM signals more electric intent with GasGas deal 

This is the second deal KTM has announced in recent weeks that forges a path towards an electric future after confirming it is developing closer ties with major stakeholder, Bajaj Auto, to create a new range of electric performance bikes that will be built in India but sold in Europe by 2022.

Whilst this slightly vague press release suggests KTM will be focusing on GasGas’s core market of off-road motorcycle market for its electric ranges – both motorcycles and push bikes – it does strengthen its engineering expertise and European production capabilities.

It’s also the latest move to expand a portfolio at a time when owners are preparing to rebrand a from KTM AG to Pierer Mobility AG in order to differentiate the brand from the parent company.

Who are GasGas?

Spanish motorcycle maker GasGas have been synonymous with trial and trail motorcycle since the mid-1980s. Although being best known for their trials’ bikes, they also build a line of Motocross, Enduro and quad bikes, the majority of them are made in Girona factory.

One of the firm’s biggest achievements was winning four straight indoor trials championships, with newly signed trials legend Adam Raga at the controls. Another highlight to the story was British enduro racer Wayne Braybrook competing in the Red Bull Last Man Standing event.

The course was 80-miles of brutally hard enduro and trials riding, and Braybrook was one of only two competitors to complete the entire course.

The name GasGas literally means, to gas it or to give it full throttle, and are seen as one of the big players in the premium off-road market. They have a range of ten new-for-2020 models in their current line-up.