KTM has officially drawn the curtain on its long association with KISKA, the Salzburg-based design studio that has been integral to the brand's identity since the early 1990s. As part of this separation, KTM has sold its remaining stake in KISKA to Loxone GmbH, marking a significant shift in the company's design and development strategy. The move comes in the wake of Bajaj Auto's takeover of Pierer Mobility, with cost optimization and tighter internal structures cited as key drivers behind the decision.
For more than three decades, KISKA played a pivotal role in shaping KTM's image. Beyond motorcycle design, the agency contributed to branding, communication, apparel, and customer experience, essentially helping KTM evolve into the sharp, aggressive marque enthusiasts recognize today. Their collaboration extended far beyond KTM, with KISKA also working on projects for Adidas, Cardo's Beyond helmet series, and the BSA Thunderbolt prototype unveiled at EICMA 2025. Despite this diverse portfolio, KTM remained the studio's largest client and investor, with Pierer Mobility once holding up to half of KISKA's shares.
Also Read: Gurugram Traffic Police Cracked Down On Illegal Parking, Towed Over 150 Vehicles In 3 Days
The restructuring under Bajaj has now altered that dynamic. Loxone GmbH will hold a majority 71 percent stake in KISKA, while the remaining 29 percent will stay with the agency's management team. KTM, meanwhile, is setting up its own dedicated design centre in Salzburg, separate from its Mattighofen development hub. This new facility will allow KTM to bring design processes closer to home, ensuring greater control and alignment with its engineering operations.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Gifts Land Rover Defender To Ex-Wife And Son; Here's All About The SUV
In the short term, KTM's design language is unlikely to undergo drastic changes. Motorcycle development cycles span several years, and upcoming models already in the pipeline will continue to reflect the familiar angular, aggressive styling that has become synonymous with the brand. Fans can expect continuity in the visual DNA, even if the creative work is now handled internally rather than outsourced.
Also Read: KTM 250, 390 Adventure Get Free Accessories And 10-Year Extended Warranty - Details
For KISKA, the transition represents both challenge and opportunity. With KTM no longer its anchor client, the studio is expected to broaden its focus, collaborating with a wider range of global brands. Reports suggest that staff reductions have already taken place as part of KTM's financial restructuring, but KISKA is positioning itself to diversify and avoid over-reliance on a single partner in the future.
For KTM loyalists, this isn't a farewell to the design ethos they admire. Instead, it marks a change in where those ideas are conceived-moving from a trusted external partner to an in-house team determined to carry the legacy forward.
