Image: VOLKER Weihbold
He accuses KTM of ending the cooperation abruptly and under bogus arguments, which left MiA with investments worth millions. KTM denies this in court, APA could not get a statement. On September 21st there is another appointment in the regional court in Ried im Innkreis. The MiA claims an illegal termination of the import contract as well as outstanding payments for investment costs and damages incurred. The value in dispute is around nine million euros, according to the Vienna legal representative of MiA.
MIA is part of Red Motors CR, which was founded in Costa Rica in July 2009. The portfolio includes several car and motorcycle brands. According to its own statements, MiA had been KTM’s exclusive sales partner in Costa Rica since 2015, until KTM terminated the cooperation in 2019. The construction of a completely new “premium showroom” only started in 2018.
“No interest in an amicable settlement”
“KTM refuses the lawful payment of investment costs and disputes MiA’s claim for damages,” according to the accusation of MiA’s legal representatives. Talks for an amicable agreement were sought, but KTM had no interest in it.
Trouble also in six other countries
According to MiA, KTM not only has trouble in the small Central American country because of the termination of the sales partners, but also in at least six other Latin American countries. Former sales partners of KTM and their subsidiary brand Husqvarna in Colombia, Paraguay, El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador are also affected. So far, however, they have not complained, “probably because they shy away from the high costs,” suspects MiA’s legal representative.
Source: Nachrichten
