The story of KTM began in 1934 when engineer Hans Trunkenpolz founded a repair workshop in Mattighofen, Austria. Initially known as "Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen," the company diversified into manufacturing motorcycles after the Second World War. The first KTM motorcycle, the R100, was launched in 1953. Over the decades, KTM concentrated on off-road motorcycles and rapidly gained a reputation for performance and reliability. The brand's diversification into street motorcycles occurred in the 1990s, with the introduction of models like the Duke, expanding its market significantly. Today, KTM continues to thrive under the ownership of KTM AG, which manages multiple motorcycle brands including Husqvarna and GASGAS.