KTM will build 1,000 X-Bow sports cars per year in new facility near Graz
	Contracts signed with Audi for supply of engines for KTM X-Bow
	Wethje Group confirmed as producers of carbon fibre chassis for KTM’s lightweight sports car
	Development of pan-European network of service partners under way for X-Bow
	10,000 sports quads per year to be built at KTM four-wheel centre of excellence

KTM is to establish a new assembly plant near Graz, Austria, for the production of its first car – the KTM X-Bow lightweight sports car. The decision to create its own assembly facility, instead of out-sourcing production as originally anticipated, was prompted by the success of the highly-renowned motorcycle manufacturer’s growth into the four-wheel market.

The Austrian company has not only been inundated with inquiries and orders from around the world for the KTM X-Bow, but has also successfully introduced its first generation of sports quads onto the US market.  The enthusiastic response to the KTM Quads from dealers, customers and the media in the US has led KTM to plan for annual sales of 10,000 of these four-wheel machines.

This level of production far exceeds the capacity of the existing production line at KTM’s facilities at Mattighofen in Austria, so the creation of a new assembly plant is essential.

As a result of the success of the KTM Quads and the demand for the KTM X-Bow, the company’s management has decided to create a four wheel-centre of excellence near Graz, an area renowned for its excellent infrastructure.

The acquisition of an appropriate facility is already under way and it will be adapted and equipped to enable series production of the KTM X-Bow to begin in the first half of 2008, as already announced. Assembly of the new KTM Quads will begin at the plant in the summer of 2008.  Production will build up to 1,000 KTM X-Bow sports cars per year plus 10,000 KTM Quads.

KTM has also just taken several significant steps towards the introduction of its first sports car by concluding two crucial agreements with major partners in the project.  Senior KTM executives have signed contracts with Audi Hungaria for the supply of the 2.0 TFSI engines for the KTM X-Bow and also appointed the Wethje Group from southern Germany to produce the carbon fibre monocoque.

The modern supercharged four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection will be produced at the Audi factory in Györ and will be responsible for the spectacular performance of the open sports car.  This engine, with its compact dimensions, minimum weight, high efficiency and exemplary emissions control, was identified at the start of the project as the ideal source of power for the KTM X-Bow.

The important relationship with the Wethje Group was secured through a partnership in the business. Cross Industries AG, the majority shareholder of KTM Power Sports AG, acquired the majority shareholding in the Wethje Group via their subsidiary Cross Automotive GmbH.  Wethje is considered one of the most experienced specialists for carbon composite construction components and is a successful supplier to premium segment car manufacturers, as well as to Formula 1 and touring car teams.

Meanwhile KTM has started to develop a pan-European network of service partners for the KTM X-Bow.  Those interested in being part of this network should contact the KTM office in their own country, or the head office of KTM Sportcar GmbH in Mattighofen, Austria.