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I didn't know Australia made cars that were worth buying overseas (for us in the Northern Hemisphere)
Is KTM on the Brink of Withdrawal from MotoGP?
- Thread starter mylexicon
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Many developed economies are in a similar situation with rising imports for durable goods manufactured by "domestic" brands. For the last 30-40 years, the easiest way to build a golden parachute was to sell manufacturing facilities to foreign countries, and then cement their perpetual import status by securing foreign investment from the host country. Nothing wrong with imports per se, but this genre of commercial artifice is exhausting its consumers.
Anyway, BMW might be the best fit to take over KTM, assuming BMW are willing and Bajaj and Austria are onboard. BMW would get a MotoGP apparatus. BMW makes cruisers; KTM does not. BMW makes Superbikes; KTM does not. KTM makes dirt bikes; BMW does not. KTM makes Supersport bikes; BMW does not. The obvious clash would be in the adventure segment, but maybe BMW goes even more upmarket.
Probably won't happen. BMW doesn't like to integrate similar operations. They buy nameplates that make niche products. KTM is probably too expensive to play in the dirt.
How about this angle:
CFMoto has been very adept at copying many Kawasaki models, in some cases pretty much identical, perhaps CFMoto and Kawasaki could team up and take over the KTM MotoGP effort if it comes up on the chopping block.
Kawasaki has been stating they would like to get back in to MotoGP at some point and this would be a great opportunity if the moon and the stars align.
CFMoto has been very adept at copying many Kawasaki models, in some cases pretty much identical, perhaps CFMoto and Kawasaki could team up and take over the KTM MotoGP effort if it comes up on the chopping block.
Kawasaki has been stating they would like to get back in to MotoGP at some point and this would be a great opportunity if the moon and the stars align.
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Not doubting you, but where did you read that? All reports I've read said he got an RS-GP24.
Also, from Davide Brivio today:
"“In 2024, we had already a big expectation. But he had the change of the bike during the season, and then he was not really confident on that [2024] one."
Aprilia: “We expect a lot from Raul” | "We needed to be tough sometimes"
Also, from Davide Brivio today:
"“In 2024, we had already a big expectation. But he had the change of the bike during the season, and then he was not really confident on that [2024] one."
Aprilia: “We expect a lot from Raul” | "We needed to be tough sometimes"
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I'm going to get told off for going off topic too often, but ....
This is labelled as a Vauxhall, but it's a Holden.
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Also sold as the Pontiac GTO in the US I believe.
Holden made some cars that were seriously desirable globally.
Holden made some cars that were seriously desirable globally.
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Nowadays you need to sell 1/2 million cars a model to be profitable, which is difficult in a country with a small population.
The engines are set at the beginning of the year, so unless they got a special exemption then they must be running 23 engines for the full year. Trackhouse requested Aprilia to provide them 24 bikes but Aprilia was only able to obtain enough parts for 3 riders by the engine freeze date
Interesting article, I didn't know that Raul scored less points on the updated bike than the previous bike, thanks for posting. Perhaps it shows the improvements throughout the grid were greater than the improvements that Raul got.
The engines are set at the beginning of the year, so unless they got a special exemption then they must be running 23 engines for the full year. Trackhouse requested Aprilia to provide them 24 bikes but Aprilia was only able to obtain enough parts for 3 riders by the engine freeze date
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An all time classic that is sadly out of reach for most people now.
When I was very young, a person on the next street over had one of these. To me as a child riding around bikes, it looked (and sounded) very cool indeed.
A friend of mine had one up until a few years ago but couldn't justify keeping it given how much he could sell it for and that it would pay off his mortgage. Fair call in the end but a shame that cars this awesome are basically unaffordable and with the price point, unjustifiable IMO.
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In all honesty, our cars were IMO behind in the international market. The Monaro, that was sold in the US as a GTO was cool but lasted only a couple of years and of course our ute culture and v8 utes were second to none but in general, were not great cars compared to overseas offering.
Most of Holden's manufacturing was done in Australia (As was Ford Australia's and Toyota Australia's) but the costs were too high and the product was substandard compared to, not just products in the price range but products below the price range in a lot of cases.
In Canada they sold the Pontiac G8, it was built in Australia, high HP LS motor, not too many sold but I see one around now and then.
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Think about it, you are probably right. GP24 frame given that Raul had no penalties or pit lane starts. To me, that means the 24 engine was similar enough to the 23 to be fitted into the 24 frame.
Still, I'm dying on the hill that Fernandez will do sod all with what, his 4th chance now?
Everything in general, but car especially, are just silly money now. Like you said. I had a small amount of Ayrton Senna memorabilia (nothing signed, just model cars, helmets etc). When I saw what they were selling for, I just couldn't justify them sitting on my shelf. I still collect the off model cars now, but many are over $100, even for 1/43 scale.
Talking of real cars, there is a particular car that was released in 2018 that I have wanted and the prices just aren't coming down to anywhere near reasonable imo. And I'm not talking exotic either. It's getting to the point where I'm wondering if it's even worth trying anymore. I remember up until 10 yrs ago, I never paid over a grand for a daily driver. Good luck getting a scrap car for that now. I have a classic car that 20 yrs ago I could have bought for hundreds, and now it's worth thousands.
At some point the bubble will burst, it already is with 1st generation corvettes now that the boomers (target buyers) are dying off. But I still roll my eyes when I see things like 70's Dodge Challengers with a 3 speed slushbox selling for 6 figures. You can buy Ferrari's for that money!
Geographically, Australia and NZ are also disadvantage in that they are far away from any external supply chains. I was surprised just how remote Oz and (especially) NZ felt when I was there and by that I mean how far away they were from other continents.
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https://www.gpone.com/it/2024/12/05...po.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Rumours already that Acosta is looking for a way out of his KTM contract for 2026 and beyond.
Rumours already that Acosta is looking for a way out of his KTM contract for 2026 and beyond.
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Herve Poncharal says that KTM's MotoGP programme is proceeding normally and that KTM's MotoGP programme will not be affected by KTM's financial problems.
www.crash.net
However, I think KTM needs to take a step up, rather than proceed normally. They have plateaued a bit.
Poncharal: KTM’s MotoGP program ‘proceeding as usual’
Nothing changes for KTM Racing GmbH? Might Red Bull come to the rescue?
However, I think KTM needs to take a step up, rather than proceed normally. They have plateaued a bit.
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That is different to what Stefan Pierer is saying. He is saying the 25 bikes are already ready for the season and the engine freeze will help. The problem is any development on the 2027 bikes is currently on hold, which means they are going to be behind when the new regs start.
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There are now rumours that Lewis Hamilton will buy KTM.
www.crash.net
I can't believe these rumours. LH buying a satellite team is one thing. But, buying a factory team - that seems very much less likely. Unless it's a matter of KTM withdrawing completely and the factory team becoming a customer team. Is that allowed?
In any case, I call BS on this one. As KTM are quoted to have said: 'never in a million years'.
KTM bosses respond to rumours that Lewis Hamilton will buy MotoGP team
Claims that Lewis Hamilton could buy KTM are met with a reply
I can't believe these rumours. LH buying a satellite team is one thing. But, buying a factory team - that seems very much less likely. Unless it's a matter of KTM withdrawing completely and the factory team becoming a customer team. Is that allowed?
In any case, I call BS on this one. As KTM are quoted to have said: 'never in a million years'.
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There's so much clickbait around its hard to know what is really happening
The problem with LH buying a factory team is who is he going to associate the bikes with?
BTY his personal wealth is estimated to be £270.9m
The problem with LH buying a factory team is who is he going to associate the bikes with?
BTY his personal wealth is estimated to be £270.9m
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I thought he was worth more than this but it's indeed his current, published net worth.
Puts into perspective Bernie Ecclestone's £625M tax bill!!
It's amazing how a simple musing or reflection of what if, turns into a serious proposal that makes the news. I can easily imagine Lewis voicing a dream or wish, using KTM's situation as a springboard.
Puts into perspective Bernie Ecclestone's £625M tax bill!!
It's amazing how a simple musing or reflection of what if, turns into a serious proposal that makes the news. I can easily imagine Lewis voicing a dream or wish, using KTM's situation as a springboard.
