Stefan Pierer hands over the management of PIERER Mobility and KTM to Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister amid restructuring process.

A current total of more than 1800 employees have lost their jobs at Pierer Mobility “Group” in recent months, a figure that now includes one prominent addition, the big boss.

Pierer Mobility AG says Stefan Pierer will hand over the role of CEO of PIERER Mobility AG and KTM AG to Gottfried Neumeister who was appointed a member of the Executive Board on January 1, 2025, and just 22 days later becomes the sole CEO.

As the guy whose name the company bears, and who only recently said, “KTM is my life’s work and I will fight for it”, this comes as a huge shift in the light of so much currently happening at the Austrian company.

The reasons why are not clear but it seems a fresh start and “generation change” will help the company, currently in a period of self-administration, in positioning itself for the future. Pierer isn’t out altogether and will continue as a member of the Executive Board in the reorganisation process and “will remain part of the KTM family”. 

Since taking over KTM in 1992, Stefan Pierer built the company from a regional motorcycle manufacturer into a global brand. “For me, KTM was always more than just a company - it was and is a passion, a mission and a family. The decision to hand over the helm was not an easy one. I am deeply convinced that Gottfried Neumeister, with his strategic foresight and commitment, is the right choice to lead KTM into the future.” Says Stefan Pierer.

Fast facts

Key points also made this week by Pierer Mobility include preliminary figures for the year 2024 show a drop of 21% in motorcycle sales but a revenue of 1.9 billion.

Production output was cut to reduce the number of motorcycles held by dealers and importers – an important step, they say, which relieves the markets of a quoted 40,000 bikes.

That said, they also report 268,000 bikes were sold to customers which is “on the same level” [as 2023].

It is also reported that the total number of professional athletes employed will drop by a quarter to a figure of just 40 riders this year. 2025 sees some of the factory race teams – notably MotoGP and Rally – concentrate on orange and KTM, dropping the Husqvarna and GASGAS Factory Racing squads altogether.

Enduro21 has no confirmation of the effect on enduro but clearly, with its roots in off-road primarily, the value of racing to all three brands remains strong to KTM AG – Billy Bolt for example on the Husqvarna. Quite obviously the success of Daniel Sanders at Dakar also highlights the need for a racing programme to put KTM in the headlines.

“KTM is not down” says Pit Beirer about 2025 Dakar Rally win

Who is Gottfried Neumeister?

Gottfried Neumeister worked for Siemens AG Austria before founding flyniki with Niki Lauda. In 2012, he moved to DO & CO Aktiengesellschaft, where he held various positions on the Management Board.

The striking point is that Neumeister has only been Co-CEO of PIERER Mobility AG and KTM AG since September 1, 2024. He was appointed a member of the Executive Board of Pierer Industrie AG from January 1, 2025.

Speaking of his new position, Gottfried Neumeister says, “Stefan Pierer has created a unique company that reflects the passion and pioneering spirit of all employees. I see it as my task to preserve this legacy and at the same time to break new ground. KTM stands for courage, innovation and passion - values that we will continue to live by and carry into the future. Together with our team, we will continue to strengthen KTM and set new standards to build the best motorcycles in the world.”

Photo Credit: E. Tschann + Sebas Romero