KTM Motohall unveiled!
More than 400 of KTM’s friends, partners and employees of the internationally-renowned motorcycle brand from Upper Austria have celebrated the opening of the KTM Motohall, boasting unique architecture alongside an exhibition project set to become the vibrant center of the innovative brand dedicated to motorcycle racing and motorsports.
May 9, 2019, was a very important day for Europe’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer. The festive opening of the KTM Motohall, four years in planning and construction, also represents a milestone for Mattighofen, the hometown of the now globally successful company. The project also successfully underlines Upper Austria’s strong industrial presence.
400 guests accepted the invitation to the “Friends Opening” in the new town center of Mattighofen. Among those present to offer congratulations on the completion of the fascinating KTM Motohall were regional governor Thomas Stelzer, the Mattighofen town mayor, and prominent Austrian industry leaders.
The “RC16” area of the spectacular building was completely filled with guests, including many who have closely followed the activities of KTM. The very first KTM series motorcycle was produced back in 1953, close to where today’s new KTM Motohall is located.
Long-standing partners, friends and well-deserving employees of the dynamic brand had the honor of experiencing this completely unique world of exhibition and activities for the first time.
Guests of honor from the world of motorsport, among them many world champions from major motorcycle disciplines, such as motocross legend Heinz Kinigadner, Dakar winners Matthias Walkner and Sam Sunderland, or MotoGPTM factory riders Pol Espargaro and Miguel Oliveira were present. They also became acquainted with their true-to-life hero doubles on the lavishly-staged Heroes level of the KTM Motohall.
Distinguished guests also made the trip from the USA to the Innviertel, among them Roger DeCoster, who was responsible for KTM’s unprecedented success story in the US Supercross, and who spent a busy evening in Mattighofen.
The visit of John Penton to the Friends Opening of the Motohall was also a memorable and very emotional experience. The now 92-year-old American delivered essential impulses to the world of offroad motorcycle competition, and he made KTM famous in the world’s most important offroad market.
Stefan Pierer – KTM CEO
“The KTM Motohall has an immense meaning for our entire company, Here in Mattighofen we are more than ever firmly committed to our roots, and we connect the past with our intensive presence through the strength of our brand. Together with all our employees, partners and friends, we are looking forward to an exciting future. KTM invites everyone to the Motohall to share our enthusiasm for innovation and racing,” commented Stefan Pierer during his official welcome speech.
Heinz Kinigadner
“Being here today in the center of Mattighofen, to open the Motohall in the company of hundreds of KTM’s friends, has a huge emotional dimension. We have all always believed in the power of the company. The success of a succession of new motorcycles, which have come about as a result of motorsports, is certainly unique. The intensive years of apprenticeship, especially in Rally Sport showed us that giving up is not an option. That’s what the KTM Motohall stands for.”
After the festive opening, the KTM Motohall invited visitors to make the pilgrimage to KTM Platz for the first time, where there was a comprehensive program of side events. The KTM Motohall and the “Pit Box” opens for regular business on May 14, 2019. The adjoining restaurant “Garage” opens on May 15.
