KTM Duke 200 coming in 2012

Amidst all the speculation and "Spy Pics", there's some official news at last for the KTM Duke 200's slated arrival (or should I say introduction) to India.

Speaking to the Indian press, the CEO of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG, Mr. Stefan Pierer said -

"During the Delhi Auto Expo next year, we will be launching the first 200cc Duke bike in India."

That's some real good news to many across the country who have been eagerly waiting for this bike to be launched in India. At the same time, this statement should put an end to the all those speculations which were predicting a late this year launch of the bike.

Stephen also said that initially a target of 25,000 to 20,000 units is set for the first year of launch, before the launch of KTM Duke 350 in 2013 (another good news!!). Both the bikes would be produced from Bajaj's Chakhan facility near Pune and would be global models with exports being done to countries like, Thailand, Malaysia and Brazil, where Bajaj already has a strong market for it's stable.

The KTM Duke 125 has been applauded in the European markets as an overall package, and if numbers can be barometer, then KTM has sold nearly 7,000 units of KTM 125 in the European market in the first year of it's launch. A target of 20,000 (on the lower side) looks a bit too aggressive, considering the fact that the KTM 200 would fall in the price range of the Honda CBR 250R, and the competition would be high right from the word go. But you never know how the market trends tend to tide up here in India.

So, till the next time, Orange days ahead people!!