REPORT: KTM halts X-Bow production
KTM X-Bow – Click above for high-res image gallery
Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM had high hopes for its first foray into the world of four-wheeled motoring, but that was before the economy took a dive. Now reports suggest that the company has had to rethink how many of its X-Bow track cars it can sell, but further than that, they've had to stop production as supply outstrips demand.
KTM originally figured on building 500 units of the X-Bow each year, but soon thereafter increased their targets to 1000 per year. So far the factory in Graz, Austria, has built 500. Unfortunately, only 80 of those have reportedly been sold. According to reports coming from across the Atlantic, the extra stock has forced KTM to stop production altogether while it tries to sell the units it has on hand, with production not expected to resume again until January 2010.
Gallery: KTM X-Bow
[Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
futurama 2:34PM (8/24/2009)
Bad news for such an awesome car!! If they can launch this track toy in US, they might be able to resolve the over supply issue!
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camaroz1985 2:39PM (8/24/2009)
Doubt it, but if they need to unload them at bargain prices (read free) they can put my name at the top of the list.
Michael Dorian 5:32PM (8/24/2009)
Exactly. Bring the left over supply to the US and see what happens. I'd kill for this car.
Level 2:52PM (8/24/2009)
if only they were to sell these puppies in the US
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Fritz 2:39PM (8/24/2009)
Well imagine that. A $20'000 kit car at best -not- selling for 60 grand....
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b0nesc 2:46PM (8/24/2009)
Why didn;t they build them when a customer orders them? They are horribly impracticable cars, like the Ariel Atom and Mercedes McLaren Sterling Moss.
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catchmyshadow 2:50PM (8/24/2009)
i know it should be great fun, but for that kind of money i would pick a Cayman/Boxster S over it any day!
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Taylor. Yes, Taylor. 2:52PM (8/24/2009)
Wow, that's too bad, I've always hoped to get my hands on one of these!
But someone said they don't sell in the US? Weird... Anyone know why?
-Taylor
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sparrk 2:59PM (8/24/2009)
they look good , but are too expensive.
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Jim Dubois 3:02PM (8/24/2009)
Insane and stupid
great for the MTV crib rapper wanna be if that is your sort of thing
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Taylor. Yes, Taylor. 3:30PM (8/24/2009)
They're for track racing actually, not for bling, which isn't so much for rappers as it is for rich car enthusiasts. It's not made crazy like this to appeal to narcissists but because it really is a race car. Its too pricey though.
-Taylor
ehisforadam 3:10PM (8/24/2009)
It kind of looks like a Mini mated with a Fiesta...It's not as bad after looking through the gallery as my first impression. There are just some things that look off about it.
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Justin 3:40PM (8/24/2009)
This car looks nothing like either of the cars you mentioned. They have absolutely nothing in common other than the number of wheels.
Shame on you.
naggs 12:01AM (8/25/2009)
that comment was so awful i think you just gave me cancer
why not the LS2LS7? 4:04PM (8/24/2009)
Anyone could see this coming a mile away. Recession or no.
Pure track cars are not big sellers. Ask Caterham.
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theshadow 4:26PM (8/24/2009)
And Caterhams are alot more flexible in terms of price point and can be usable as a daily (if you're hardcore).
X Bows as 'wannabe' cars? Hardly. Has anyone seen the carbon fibre up close? The entire car is made out of it....very tasty.
About their only mistake with the X-Box is not making it extreme enough really. It's fast with only 200hp version from the VAG 2.0L engine but nowhere near enough power to match the chassis. For the price, if they'd stuck in at least 300hp with the same motor it couls have gotten interesting and stood out form the crowd a bit - would have been up there with the Atom in terms of performance but with a more usable personality.
Personally, instead of the 2.0T engine I'd have stuck in a 3.2 VR6 which would have used the same (DSG) gearbox. Much better torque and sound, similar power.
As it is - gorgeous car, and meticulously engineered, but just too hard to justify.
Also, the reason it's not sold in the US is because of federal regulations - the X-Box has no windscreen, wipers or bumpers etc. The Atoms and Caterhams etc. get away with it because they're brought in as kit cars - the X-Box isn't sold as a kit.
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dsgnr 4:29PM (8/24/2009)
Why do they build 500 units in advance if they don't have buyers for sure?
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tankd0g 10:57PM (8/24/2009)
The same reason any car company does. Economies of scale.
adam1drift 4:31PM (8/24/2009)
yeah... i'd take one at a big discount... say 15-20k they would sell like crazy
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graveslids 4:54PM (8/24/2009)
Not trying to be "that guy" but the article at Pistonheads reads:
"For now, with 500 X-Bows built so far and 80 still unsold, KTM has stopped production at its Graz facility, although production is slated to resume in January 2010."
So the statement in the posting of:
"So far the factory in Graz, Austria, has built 500. Unfortunately, only 80 of those have reportedly been sold."
Is massively inverted and makes it seems as though this could be the KATOOM of DOOM indeed.
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