KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc. is ramping up local assembly of motorcycles for export as the company approaches the 30,000-unit production milestone.
KAMMI, a joint venture of AC Industrial Technology Holdings Inc. and KTM AG, expanded its manufacturing line to 13 models from the KTM group.
“The growing demand from both local and export markets has now driven KAMMI to expand its current Laguna facility and build additional assembly lines, including one dedicated for KTM engine assembly. It is with the continuous support of the Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority that KAMMI is able to achieve these milestones and position the Philippines in the global two-wheel manufacturing arena,” said KAMMI and AC Industrials chief executive Arthur Tan.
The company said that for domestic and export markets, eight of the new models were manufactured in 2020, boosting KTM’s confidence in the Philippines as a strategic manufacturing location amid the global pandemic.
KAMMI also started producing higher displacement 790cc motorcycles and a new brand within the KTM stable – Husqvarna Motorcycles last year.
Its Adventure line includes KTM 390 Adventure, 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R. For the Street line, these are the KTM 790 Duke and the new generation 200 Duke, as well as Husqvarna Motorcycles’ Svartpilen 200, Svartpilen401 and Vitpilen 401.
KAMMI started out producing four models in 2016, including 200 Duke, 390 Duke, RC 200 and RC 390.
KAMMI produced more than 29,000 units since it started operations in the Philippines, including 7,000 units manufactured in 2020.
Production growth is expected to continue this year, with close to 12,000 units eyed by year-end.
KAMMI said to support the production ramp-up, it optimized its organizational structure and implemented programs to improve efficiencies along the production line.
“Over the past year, the team has done a great job to meet the increasing demand in the region. As we further expand our Laguna operations, KAMMI will be well-equipped to continue supporting KTM AG in its growth plans for Asia,” said KAMMI managing director and chief operating officer Luca Martin.
KAMMI exports more than 65 percent of its production to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia.