- Manaus plant has annual capacity for 20,000 motorcycles
- KTM 390 Adventure R and X are among ten produced models
KTM has opened a dedicated manufacturing plant in Manaus, Brazil, with an installed capacity of 20,000 motorcycles annually. The new facility will build ten KTM and Husqvarna models across motocross, enduro and adventure segments including the KTM 390 Adventure R and 390 Adventure X.
Manaus facility is already operational with around 100 direct and indirect employees. KTM expects to manufacture approximately 3,500 motorcycles there before the end of 2026 before increasing production through 2027. Around BRL 20 million has been invested in facilities and equipment.
Austrian manufacturer began assembling motorcycles in Manaus in 2016 through Dafra Motos. What changes now is control as KTM moves from contract assembly arrangement to an independent CKD operation dedicated solely to KTM and Husqvarna. This plant will handle kit preparation, engine assembly, complete motorcycle assembly, quality checks, packing and dispatch.
Brazil is a particularly logical place for that strategy. Bajaj Auto already operates its own manufacturing facility in Manaus, which began production in 2024. KTM’s new factory is co-located with that Bajaj operation.
The KTM plant begins with an interesting product mix. This will include the motocross spec 250 SX-F and 450 SX-F, while enduro production includes the 250 EXC-F, 350 EXC-F 6DAYS, 300 EXC and 300 EXC 6DAYS. Husqvarna’s FE 350 and TE 300 Pro are also included in the production list.
As markets such as Brazil increasingly assemble motorcycles locally, Chakan’s role can gradually evolve from exporting complete motorcycles everywhere towards supplying platforms, components, engineering expertise and production knowledge alongside finished motorcycles for markets where direct export remains more efficient.
