- Bajaj now holds around 74.9 percent of the shares in the former PIERER Mobility AG.
- Renaming of the holding company to Bajaj Mobility AG and relocation of its headquarters to Mattighofen.
- The group is being realigned as a pure holding company, with operational areas remaining with the subsidiaries.
Change of ownership and new group structure
By exercising a call option agreed in spring 2025, Bajaj Auto International Holdings B.V. has taken sole control of Pierer Bajaj AG. The transfer of shares in Pierer Industrie AG took place in mid-November, resulting in Bajaj now indirectly holding around 74.9 percent of the shares in the former PIERER Mobility AG. The EU Commission and the Austrian Takeover Commission had previously approved the transaction.
The change of ownership comes amid a period of economic difficulties for motorcycle manufacturer KTM. Bajaj had already provided a capital injection of €800 million, equivalent to around $855 million, in May 2025 to ensure the group’s financial stability. This measure formed the basis for the now completed takeover.
Renaming to Bajaj Mobility AG and organizational restructuring
At an extraordinary general meeting, the new company name was decided: PIERER Mobility AG becomes Bajaj Mobility AG. At the same time, the holding company is relocating its headquarters from Wels to the production site in Mattighofen. The change marks a clear departure from the era of long-time company leader Stefan Pierer, whose name is disappearing completely from the group structure.
The new articles of association define the company as a holding company in the future. The focus is on the management of investments, central services, and possible capital measures. Operational value creation, including manufacturing, development, and racing, remains the responsibility of the subsidiaries. In addition, the authorized capital was significantly increased, which gives the Management Board, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, leeway for future investments and participations.
The restructuring is accompanied by a reorganization of the Supervisory Board. The members appointed by Pierer Industrie AG have resigned. New members of the board include Pradeep Shrivastava, Executive Director at Bajaj Auto, and Austrian lawyer Wolf Gordian Hauser. Other representatives of Bajaj had already taken up positions on the board.
Statements on Austria’s future role
At a meeting with an Austrian business delegation, Bajaj CEO Rajiv Bajaj emphasized the importance of Mattighofen as a location for KTM. The quote “KTM will always remain an Austrian company that will be a leader in research, design, development, engineering, racing, and the production and distribution of first-class large and specialized motorcycles in preferred markets” underscored this position.
The statements are intended to allay fears that key areas of the company could be relocated to India in the future. Political representatives interpreted the statements as a signal of continuity. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how strongly the new owners’ influence will affect product development, investments, and strategic decisions in the long term.
Production and efficiency: comparison of locations
A look at the production figures reveals clear differences between Austria and India. At the Indian plant in Pune, around 1,000 employees manufacture approximately 200,000 motorcycles per year. In Austria, this requires around 4,000 employees, who produce around 230,000 units per year. The discrepancy in capacity points to structural advantages at the Indian location, which could play a role in future decisions.
Smaller KTM models have been built in India for some time. According to the company, the production of large, powerful, and specialized motorcycles will continue to take place in the Innviertel region. However, Bajaj representatives have stated that greater efficiency in Austrian production is necessary.
Impact on brands, employees, and corporate strategy
For the KTM, Husqvarna, and GASGAS brands, the structure and operational work will remain unchanged for the time being. However, the announced efficiency programs and greater integration into the global corporate logic could have an impact on processes and decision-making channels in the medium term. The new holding structure enables Bajaj to centrally control investments and services, which may change the group’s self-image in the long term.
The KTM world is thus in a phase of transition. The brand will remain in place and the Mattighofen location will continue to be of great importance. At the same time, decision-making processes are shifting and the international orientation is being intensified. The specific consequences of this will only become apparent in the coming years.
