KTM & Kiska: Is KTM Breaking Away from the Polarizing Design?

The KTM Group and design agency Kiska are set to go their separate ways. After decades of economic interdependence and collaboration, many motorcycle enthusiasts are now asking: Is KTM also moving away from the highly polarizing Kiska design?

What was produced in Innviertel was visually crafted over the course of many years in Anif near Salzburg. Kiska shaped the appearance of KTM from motorcycles to apparel and even the X-Bow—and did so for decades.

This wasn't your typical agency relationship. The KTM Group was both a stakeholder and the main client of Kiska. At its peak, Pierer Mobility AG held 50 percent of the shares, which had recently dwindled to 20 percent in the company register—now, Pierer Mobility AG operates as Bajaj Mobility AG.

Now, the ownership relationship has been completely dissolved. "After the buyback of the last remaining shares from the KTM Group by the shareholders, the company from Anif is once again operating fully independently," says Kiska CEO Julian Herget.

As announced in early February, KTM plans to establish its own in-house design team in Salzburg.

KTM confirmed that as part of its focus on the core motorcycle market, it is bringing the design process in-house to be closer to the company. A new design center is intended to consolidate innovation expertise and work on product innovations, separated from the development center in Mattighofen.

According to Kiska's CEO, the collaboration with Kiska will nevertheless continue: "There is a multi-year agreement that ensures KTM access to resources and secures our revenue," emphasizes Herget.

Loxone GmbH takes over the shares from the KTM Group. Loxone will hold 71 percent of Kiska, while 29 percent remain with the management and leadership team.

The technology company from Kollerschlag rescued Kiska following the KTM insolvency with a capital injection of five million euros. According to the balance sheet for the 2024/2025 financial year (cut-off date March), this enabled the agency to overcome the economic repercussions.

According to Herget, the close dependency on KTM proved problematic: "The heavy reliance on KTM was unhealthy for Kiska."

Due to the KTM bankruptcy, 42 employees had to be laid off. The agency currently employs 160 people. Some of the laid-off colleagues have since returned.

The 2024/2025 fiscal year ended in March 2025 with a deficit of 4.6 million euros. Revenue was 26 million euros. Approximately 3.5 million euros in receivables—about 70 percent—had to be written off due to the KTM insolvency.

Kiska aims to broaden its scope in the future. The focus remains on two- and four-wheelers, with an eye on Asia and the USA.

According to reports, new clients include:

• AIMA Technology Group (China) in the e-bike and electric scooter sector
• Three new providers in the motorcycle and premium e-scooter segment in India and China
• A leading powersport provider in the USA
• A notable client in the agriculture sector in the USA

Additionally, Kiska is responsible for the relaunch of the traditional Weck brand and the development of the new Vitrea brand (rehabilitation corporation). They are also engaged in brand and design development for majority shareholder Loxone.

"We will never make ourselves dependent on a single client again," says Herget.

For 2026/2027, Kiska plans to achieve growth between 15 and 20 percent. Additionally, ten new employees are to be hired—a commitment to the Anif location.

For many years, the distinctive, angular KTM design was closely associated with the name Kiska. Few brands in the motorcycle segment have so consistently committed to a recognizable design language.

At the same time, the design was frequently a topic of controversy in the market. While many fans saw the aggressive lines as an expression of the READY-TO-RACE DNA, others perceived the styling as deliberately provocative.

In the near future, we will likely continue to see a strong Kiska influence in KTM's design, as suggested by recent spy shots. However, with the establishment of its own design center, KTM will increasingly manage the design process internally. In the medium term, a new design language could emerge for the core brand. It also remains uncertain whether the well-known design line will be continued at Husqvarna and GasGas.

One thing is certain: the structural separation is complete, but the collaboration as a client is set to continue for now.