Monday 23 February 2015

Detlev Louis

Detlev Louis sold to Warren Buffettt

Respected German retailer and mail order parts, accessory and apparel specialist Detlev Louis Motorradvertriebs GmbH has been sold to a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the Omaha, Nebraska based conglomerate built and still largely owned by 84 year-old investor Warren Buffett.



Known as the "Sage of Omaha" and currently thought to be the world's fourth richest man, Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is said to hold some $500bn in assets and has known to be on the look-out for acquisitions in Europe for some time.
Based in Hamburg, the sale was undertaken by Ute Louis, widow of founder Detlev Louis, who died in 2012. The deal is said to have been worth some €400m; the company presently operates some 70 retail stores, a mail order business that started with its first catalog in 1967, and an online operation that is estimated to account for some 20 percent of its total of around €240 in sales.



Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Detlev Louis originally started as a motorcycle dealership and workshop in 1938; Detlev Louis got involved in 1946 and by 1968 the company was selling Honda, BSA, BMW and Matchless motorcycles as well seeing its parts, accessory and apparel business grow.
In 1969 the company became the general importer for Germany for Kawasaki motorcycles, but has withdrawn from motorcycle sales altogether by the early 1990s. The company presently employs around 1,600 people and sells some 32,000 product lines.
This is Berkshire Hathaway's first medium sized acquisition in Europe, and the first time it is believed to have taken outright ownership of a 100 percent motorcycle business.
However it is not its first motorcycle industry investment. Its GEICO Insurance is heavily involved in motorcycle insurance in the United States, and it took a $300m position in Harley-Davidson debt in 2009 when the Milwaukee, Wisconsin based manufacturer was "short of friends".


www.louis.de

Paris to ban bikes older than 5 years

Paris to ban bikes older than 5 years

Europe's manufacturers and trade associations are looking closely at measures introduced in several major European cities in the past 24 months that seek to apply quite draconian age limits on motorcycles permitted to ride there of as little as 5 years old.
The latest is Paris, where the city government passed a wide-ranging series of regulations on February 9th aimed at reducing the number of vehicles on the Paris roads with what it considers to be outdated emissions compliance and standards.
In the case of motorcycles, Paris has legislated to prevent motorcycles of older than 5 years using the roads of a city where 150,000 motorcycles are registered, and where, in common with other major urban centres, encouraging increased PTW use has been credited with reducing pollution, congestion and parking issues in various studies conducted in the last 10 years.


French riders rights association FFMC coordinated a protest on February 8th against the Paris city plans - between 2,000 and 4,000 riders are estimated to have taken part depending on whose figures you trust.

With manufacturers heading towards EURO-4 compliance for model year 2016 motorcycles and tighter still compliance standards thereafter, the implementation of a 5 year cut off is being widely regarded as arbitrary and inappropriate.
ACEM, the Brussels-based industry trade association, told IDN today that it is "looking at this issue closely" and has attended a meeting with French officials in Paris to discuss their proposals.
ACEM says that it believes that these initiatives "should be made in a sensitive manner, address only very old vehicles - which have higher emissions - and be accompanied by measures to encourage fleet renewal.
"This could contribute more significantly to improving air quality as well as sound emissions. Moreover, restrictions must remain proportionate and should not be imposed out of peak hours".
In markets such as Spain, where motorcycles have been included in government incentives to scrap/renew older vehicles, such initiatives had a positive impact on PTW take-up. With the European parliament now insisting that the European commission undertakes research to prove that further motorcycle restrictions deliver economically efficient and technically viable contributions to emissions reduction, the move by Paris and other cities goes entirely against the current trend.

Swiss Moto

Record attendance at Swiss Moto

This year saw 70,519 visitors attend the 12th annual Swiss Moto exhibition at Zurich, 18-21 February - exceeding the 70,000 mark for the first time.


The organisers say that altogether, one way or another, there were some 1,500 motorcycles involved in the show - from static exhibitor booth presentations to the custom, show and live action.
Interestingly they are pointing to the trend being "towards versatile non-faired bikes of all displacements in attractive and customisable styles".

In truth this has been the trend in most of Europe's markets for several years - along with the Adventure Touring look. However personalisation and a very singular approach to the riding and ownership experience is now clearly the dominant expectation that consumers are bringing to their buying and riding decisions, with retro, authenticity and rider conveniences looming large in the list of motorcyclists' "hot buttons".
Swiss Moto saw an impressive debut - the first ever appearance in Europe of the fastest motorcycle in the world - Mike Akatiff and Rocky Robinson's "Ack Attack" Bonneville streamliner, having set the current mark of 376.363mph/605.7 kph as a back-to-back two run average on the famed Utah slat flats in September 2010. The bike is a double 1300cc Suzuki Hayabusa engined "special" (very special!) that generates 1000hp and has recorded a maximum speed at Bonneville in one of its passes of 394mph.
Most of the major motorcycle manufacturers were represented at the show, as were most of the familiar parts, accessory, apparel and service-item brands that are seen at all the major shows in Europe.
Switzerland is Europe's 6th largest market and saw sales increase by 5 percent in 2014 to 39,847 units. Reputedly, Switzerland has the highest ownership of motorcycles per head of population of any market in Europe.
The next edition of SWISS-MOTO will take place from 18 to 21 February 2016 at Messe Zürich.

www.swiss-moto.ch

Polaris

Polaris Acquires the Chinese Hammerhead Off-Road Vehicles Business

Following the January announcement that it has bought the eBike manufacturing operations of Brammo, Minneapolis based Polaris Industries is back on the acquisition trail again.



The company has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire HH Investment Limited (”Hammerhead”), a  manufacturer of gasoline powered go-karts, light utility vehicles, and electric utility vehicles in Shanghai, China. The Company markets its products globally under the Hammerhead Offroad brand, and is a private label manufacturer for other OEMs. 



“Hammerhead provides Polaris with a unique opportunity to expand both our international manufacturing footprint and our armada of off-road products”, said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman and CEO.  “We are impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation of the Hammerhead team, and look forward to pursuing new customers in new markets with their high-quality and low-cost off-road vehicles.  We are excited to establish Polaris’ operational footprint in China and believe the opportunities for further international growth are significant”. 
Hammerhead’s main manufacturing operation is located in Shanghai, China, near Polaris’ Chinese subsidiary.  Hammerhead also has an operation located north of Dallas, Texas responsible for light assembly and sales distribution of its products in North America. Hammerhead will continue to market its products under the Hammerhead brand and operate under its current leadership structure as a stand-alone entity.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to make Hammerhead a part of Polaris and its growing portfolio of global brands”, said Jerry Qiu, Chairman of Hammerhead. “I am very proud of what we have built at Hammerhead. We share the same enthusiasm and passion for off-road vehicles as Polaris and look forward to sharing our mutual expertise as we take our products, engineering and manufacturing skills to the next level”.
Polaris' annual sales topped $4.5 billion in 2014, with its shares trading in the $1.40 plus region, and annual dividend increases continuing apace (Polaris has announced a further 10 percent hike in shareholder dividends already this year) - this from a low of around $1.5 bn of sales and a share price of under $8.00 as recently as 2009.
The company is said to be sitting on a considerable cash-pile and healthy balance sheet, has been an active investor in new facilities, strategic partnerships and acquisitions ever since 48 year-old Scott Wine became CEO in 2008.
Perhaps best known as one of the originators of snowmobiles back in the 1950s, and currently for its UTV, ATV and side-by-side vehicles, the company first got into the motorcycle business in 1998 with the launch of its Victory brand and has recently been attracting attention with its 2011 acquisition and subsequent re-launch of the Indian Motorcycles brand.


The company had tried to get into the motorcycle business in 2005 when it purchased a 25 percent interest in KTM, but that deal was cancelled a year later. In 2010 Polaris bought the PowerSports operations of its long-time collaborator (4-stroke Weber engine and 500cc V4 500cc race engine provider) Swissauto.
In 2011 Polaris bought Chrysler's GEM (Global Electric Motorcars) operation, Groupil Industrie, the French modular on-road commercial electric vehicle manufacturer, and an initial 8 percent stake in Brammo.
In 2014 Polaris bought another French company, Aixam Mega, an electric vehicle manufacturer. New facilities in Mexico in recent years and the January announcement of a planned new 600,000 sq ft/58,000 sq m manufacturing facility at Huntsville, Alabama follows last year's opening of its first manufacturing facility in Europe - a 345,000 sq ft/33,000 sq m UTV/ATV manufacturing plant in, Poland, and in recent years has made several upgrades at its existing Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming and Wisconsin facilities 


The company has also been buying aftermarket parts, accessory and apparel product lines - such as Klim riding apparel, Pro Armor off-road products and Kolpin ATV/UTV products.
Last year saw Polaris follow CanAm into the three-wheeler market with the launch of its Slingshot brand.
This year will see a 50/50 manufacturing facility joint venture with Eicher Motors in India come on stream - Eicher is the owner of the fast growing Royal Enfield motorcycle program. The company plans to produce highly fuel-efficient and inexpensive 600cc Greaves Cotton diesel powered four wheel delivery vehicles there later this year for sale on the domestic Indian market.
HH Investment Limited is a global manufacturer of off-road vehicles, manufacturing a portfolio of gasoline powered go-karts, light utility vehicles and electric utility vehicles with power ranging from 49cc to 500cc. The go karts are primarily recreational while the light utility vehicles are suited for lawn and garden.

www.hammerheadoffroad.com
www.polaris.com

Ermax

New Yamaha screens from Ermax

A new selection of screens from Ermax includes options for both the Yamaha Majesty 125 S and Tricity 125. 


The 48cm high Sport screen for the Majesty is available in a choice of seven colours with 16 screen printed design options.
For the Yamaha Tricity, Ermax has two screens, the 68cm High Protection and the 35cm Sport style screen.




ERMAX
Roquefort La Bedoule, FRANCE
Tel: +33 04 42 73 67 91
accueil@ermax.fr
www.ermax.fr

Powerbronze

New Honda parts from Powerbronze

POWERBRONZE has extended its product line to include new options for the 2014 Honda CB650F and the’08-’14 Honda CB1000R. 

The company’s Light Screen design has been developed specifically for use on Naked bikes such as the CB650F and the ’08-’14 Honda CB1000R. The screen is also available in three heights, 270mm, 330mm and 380mm, and a selection of colours.
The cooler grill is designed to protect the CB650F’s radiator from damage by debris thrown up by the front wheel. Made from polished stainless steel it requires no modification to the bike to fit it.



A headlight protector for the CB650F is manufactured from thermoformed acrylic and supplied with 3M Dual Lock fixings, which allow easy removal. Available in a range of colours, but only light tint, clear and yellow are road legal.




Moving to the rear of the bike, the Eliminator (tail tidy) is made from black powder coated steel and has the provision for the fitting of mini stem indicators built-in, as the OEM turn signals will not fit. The original number plate light is replaced with an LED version. 


Powerbronze’s Badged Crash Posts are CNC machined from high impact plastic and aluminium and hand-polished where appropriate to give a mirror finish.
For the ’08-’14 Honda CB1000R Powerbronze has a redesigned belly pan, which is said to reduce air drag and protect the engine components from stones and other debris. Made from high impact ABS plastic, the belly pan has German TÜV Type Approval, and is available in black, white or carbon-look with gold or silver coloured meshed vents. 




POWERBRONZE
Littlehampton, West Sussex, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1903 783222
sales@powerbronze.co.uk
www.powerbronze.co.uk

SW-Motech

New soft luggage and R nine T skid plate

SW-MOTECH used Intermot to debut several new ranges of soft luggage including a line of backpacks designed specifically for motorcyclists: the Racer, Trooper, and Drybag 300.
The Racer and Trooper models combine low weight and versatile storage, while the waterproof Drybag 300 has been designed with the requirements of all weather and all season riding in mind. 

Tropper

For Racer has a 16-litre capacity, including an integrated laptop holder (14in) and inner compartments.
The 25 litres, compact Trooper has two main compartments, an integrated laptop holder (15in), and features compression straps and a helmet net.
Both the Racer and the Trooper are made from 600D polyester, feature integrated rain covers, a cable feed through, carry handles and retroflective details.
The all-weather, 30-litre Drybag 300 is made from waterproof tarpaulin, is available in in grey or bright yellow, has a roll closure at the top to prevent water entry through wicking effect and a zippered outer pocket.
The 18-litre Drybag 180 is a lightweight and waterproof tarpaulin bag designed to be used in conjunction with a luggage rack or other Drybags, with a strap system that attaches to snap buckles.
Two luggage options debuted at Intermot were the foldable backpack Flexpack and the Drypack. The Drypacks serve as waterproof containers that can be stored inside or outside motorcycle luggage, while the fist sized Flexpack unfolds into a 30-litre backpack (able to carry a helmet) whenever needed.


Drypack 300

Drypacks come in four sizes, from 4 to 20 litres, can be carried inside motorcycle luggage or clipped to its outside, are made from 210D/250D tarpaulin with a waterproof inner coating and a sturdy, dual coated bottom.
Also seen here, SW-MOTECH has a skid plate available for the BMW R nine T, which it says offers reliable protection from rocks and debris while giving the naked bike an aggressive, rugged look.
The hole pattern in the 4mm thick, brushed aluminium, skid plate ensures ventilation for the motor. It is rubber mounted to reduce vibration and its steel mounting brackets are carefully designed to ensure easy and secure installation on the bike with no drilling, welding or cutting required. 


Skid plate


SW-MOTECH
Rauschenberg, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)6425 820280
info@sw-motech.com
www.sw-motech.com

GPR Exhaust System

Furore exhaust line by GPR

GPR has two new finish options for its Furore exhaust line with the introduction of Albus and Ater. The two new finishes, both ceramic coatings, cover both the bodies of the silencers and the end caps, with Albus being white and Ater black.



The Albus option will be offered on exhausts for more than 200 models covering motorcycles and scooters, while the Ater option is mainly dedicated to maxi scooter applications. 



GPR EXHAUST SYSTEM
Riozzo di Cerro al Lambro (MI), ITALY
TEL 0039-02-98112058
info@gpr.it
www.gpr.it

Friday 20 February 2015

The European Motorcyclists’ Forum 2015

European Motorcyclists’ Forum will add to motorcycle road safety

The European Motorcyclists’ Forum 2015, organised in February in Brussels by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) has been judged a success, and ended in the European Parliament with a panel discussion of the outcomes of the RIDERSCAN project.
Co-funded by the European Commission, the RIDERSCAN project gathers existing information on motorcycle safety in Europe, identifies needs for action and creates a cross-border knowledge-based network.

 


The forum also conducted a mid-tern evaluation of the European Commission Road Safety Policy Orientations 2011-2020, from Szabolcs Schmidt (Head of the Road Safety Unit, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) of the European Commission), members of the European parliament Inés Ayalá-Sender and Wim van de Camp, FIM CAP Director Jesper Christenson and FEMA General Secretary Dolf Willigers; with Pierre van Elslande, Chairman of the ITF Working Group presenteing some of the outcomes of the OECD/ITF Motorcycle safety report.
It has became clear that the huge amount of information that the RIDERSCAN project has generated will be very useful for the European Commission, and on behalf of the EU Mr. Schmidt expressed his gratitude for this, saying that the outcomes of the project would certainly be taken into account in the mid-tern evaluation of the European Commission Road Safety Policy Orientations 2011-2020.
Mr. Van de Camp and Ms. Ayalá-Sender say the EU must improve Road Safety Policy still further, and emphasised the need to use the RIDERSCAN information for this. They also foresaw a growing role for powered two wheelers (PTWs) in future mobility.
Mr. Van de Camp invited the motorcycle community to give him input for the mid-tern evaluation of the European Commission Road Safety Policy Orientations 2011-2020 in the European Parliament.


Mr. Christensen emphasized the need for better training and licensing; he drew attention to the fact that the present Driving License Directive has discriminatory effects on women and smaller men and asked that this issue be addressed. He also asked for better rider-friendly infrastructure and standards for barriers.
Mr. Willigers stated, that the use of powered two wheelers was part of the solution for present and future congestion problems and therefore using a PTW should made safer. He expressed the hope that the outcomes of the RIDERSCAN project and the willingness of the European Commission to use them would contribute to this.
Mr. Van Elslande referred in his presentation to a growing role of PTWs in global mobility, a disproportional number of casualties of riders and the need to take action on this. The OECD/ITF report will contain recommendations to enhance motorcycle road safety.

The Marketplace Events

Marketplace Events Announces Consumer Motorcycle Show Series Launch for 2016

The Marketplace Events (MPE) Motorcycle Group, producers of the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) at Orlando in October each year, has announced that it plans today to produce a new series of events directed at motorcycle and powersports consumers. 



The shows will be timed to promote 2016 model year products, and "will focus on experimental elements and attracting new riders" according to the company, with locations and dates to be announced "soon".
“Since our earliest research on the viability of the AIMExpo launch (a combined trade/consumer platform new to North America), we’ve been continually asked by key industry players when we would produce a series of consumer-only events,” said Mike Webster, President of MPE’s Motorcycle Group.
“Their message has been clear and consistent: the market is underserved from a consumer show perspective. Industry marketeers are looking for a more responsive and engaging platform – something welcoming to traditionalists and attractive to new riders. We have no doubt the experimental elements we’re planning will excite all members of our community.”
“In a way, our name (Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group) tells a great tale as we move into the consumer-only arena,” said Larry Little, VP and General Manager of the Motorcycle Group. “Marketplace Events is the largest producer of high-end consumer home and garden shows in North America. The company is deep with experience in consumer event marketing and production – so much so that it has posted double-digit growth since 2009, despite the recession.
 



"The Motorcycle Group is deep with experience in the motorcycle and powersports industry. In fact, Mike Webster was a key member of the team who 30+ years ago launched the Great American Motorcycle Shows that pioneered the idea of a nationally promoted series of regional consumer motorcycle shows.”
Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events stated, “In addition to the new energy our company will bring to the consumer motorcycle series, we’re prepared to put a motorcycling-friendly message before our 1.5 million annual visitors at over 40 other MPE shows. We’re serious about getting new eyeballs exposed to both the recreational and transportation benefits of motorcycling. It was always our intention with the creation of the Motorcycle Group to bring new products to this market.”

www.aimexpousa.com

INABIKE 2015

INABIKE 2015

INABIKE, the ASEAN's largest international bike, parts and accessories exhibition, will be taking place at the JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia, from 18 to 25 March, 2015.
Co-staged with the INAP auto/tyre industry trade show, INABIKE is a dedicated international trade exhibition focusing on bikes (motorcycles and bicycles), parts and accessories and that targets potential buyers from Indonesia and surrounding regions. 


The show usually attracts some 50,000 visitors, 50,000 sq m of booth space and some 1,100 exhibitors from markets such as Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.



Indonesia has a population of over 250 million (40 percent of the ASEAN block's population) and it has become one of the largest and fastest growing economies in Asia. It is the world’s third largest bike producer and consumer, despite the ratio of bikes to population being low compared with other countries in the region. The motorcycle/PTS market there was worth 7.14 million units in 2012 and is expected to rise to 10 million units by 2020.

PT. GLOBAL EXPO MANAGEMENT (GEM INDONESIA)
Jakarta Barat, INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5435 8118
info@gem-indonesia.com
www.inabike.com

Wilbers

Bike and Business award winners

AT the annual Dealer Day staged by German trade magazine Bike and Business in November, suspension company Wilbers were announced as winners of the IDN prize for International Export Excellence. 



Previous winners of the prestigious IDN prize include internationally respected vendors such as LSL Motorradtechnik (2010), Wunderlich (2011), SW-Motech (2012) and Remus (2013). The prize received by Wilbers for its win is six free 1/2-page advertisements in International Dealer News Magazine and a free 'advertorial' page in Bike and Business.
At the same event Finkl's Erlebnis Motorrad from Koenigsbrunn near Augsburg was named German Dealer of the Year. Swiss Dealer of the Year was Arrigoni Sport from Adiswil near Zurich.


This was the 10th annual Bike and Business Dealer of the Year awards, with the 12 best dealers chosen from 191 nominated participants in categories such as motorcycles, scooters, quad/ATV/trikes and independent garages.

www.bikeundbusiness.de

Amphibious

Waterproof bags from Amphibious

EXTENDING their range of motorcycle soft side bags, the Motobag II line is a compact and colourful range of bags, offering an alternative to the more capacious Motobag range of products.



The Motobag II bags are said to be robust and suitable for all road and off-road motorcycle models, as well as scooters, and are sold in pairs. They have an expandable individual volume ranging from 8 to 20 litres, and the size at maximum volume is 32 cm high, 33 cm long and 20 cm wide. An air valve allows reducing the volume, depending on the content. Colourways are black, orange and fluorescent yellow.



The first two models are made of PVC HD+ 1000 D, while the fluorescent version is made of more sturdy PVC HD++ 1000 D. The bottom of the bag has a heat-resistant treatment, and the weight of each bag is about 1,245g. They also have a wide opening for easier stowing of large items, zipped inner pockets and can easily be cleaned internally.
Other features include a modular Quick Proof closure system with Velcro for reliable waterproofing, and a double safety block (High Lock), three reflective bands (one on the front and two on the sides) for high visibility even in poor light conditions and a practical and comfortable carrying handle with a fully adjustable and removable padded shoulder strap.

AMPHIBIOUS Srl
Lesmo (MB), ITALY
Tel. +39 039 6065879
info@amphibious.it
www.amphibious.it

SKA-P helmets

SKA-P helmets from CGMItalia

CGMITALIA, based in the south of Italy in the province of Campania, has for a number of years made helmets and accessories for motorcycles and scooters, designing in Italy and manufacturing in the Far East under the supervision of Italian staff.


The 1NI Slim Italia is one of the helmets in CGMItalia's SKA-P range, offering the younger scooter riding community demi-jet helmets with innovative designs, which nonetheless possess all the necessary requisites in terms of safety and quality.

The helmet has a thermoplastic cover with anti-scratch treatment. Features include an extra dark internal retractable visor and an anti-allergenic and anti-bacterial lining, plus removable and washable cheek pads.
The helmet has a micrometric closure and comes in sizes XS to XL and weighs 1,000g +/-50g.

CGMITALIA Srl
Gricignano di Aversa (CE), ITALY
Tel.+39 081 8131743
skap@cgmitalia.net
www.skaphelmets.net

Premier helmets

Vintage open face helmet from Premier

THE Vintage model is an open face fashionable helmet with classic graphics, but also fulfilling many safety requirements and available in two versions: Vintage and Vintage Classic.


There is also a Carbon version, covered only in transparent foil, and the Carbon Star BM and Carbon Kevlar models also include aramidic fibre and are adorned with a graphic and have a matt transparent cover.
All the other versions are made from DCA, which is a tri-composite mix of Dyneema, Carbon and aramidic fibres. The Classic version has three buttons on the front of the helmet to which a peak can be attached (supplied with the helmet), or a long visor, which is sold as an accessory. The internal shell is in EPS, moulded with different densities to offer the best shock absorption in case of an impact.
The Jet Vintage has an easy-to-use internal sun visor, which is placed between the internal and external shell. The inner liners are made with anti-allergenic sanitised fabric, completely removable and washable, however, on the Classic Vintage only the cheek pads can be removed, and the borders are in fake leather.
The chin strap has a micrometric quick release buckle and, as all other Premier helmets, the Vintage is homologated to ECE 22-05, and sizes are from XS to XL. Shown here the Vintage Mali, SKM18 and Star Carbon.




PMR Srl
Lucca, ITALY
Tel. +39 0583 730310
info@premier.it
www.premier.it

Wunderlich

Wunderlich Daytona fairing for R nine T

WUNDERLICH has taken the styling of the fairings fitted to BMW’s R90S and R100CS models in the late 1970s and used it as inspiration for its new Daytona fairing for the R nine T. 



The fairing is intended to emphasize the Café Racer credentials of the new BMW, while at the same time providing protection from wind and weather on longer journeys.
Like Wunderlich’s other products, the Daytona fairing was developed in-house using the latest 3-D prototyping printers, laser scanning for precision and accuracy, and is manufactured in Germany.  


The Daytona fairing is finished in Blackstorm metallic with white pin-striping to match the R nine T's colour scheme, is fully TÜV approved and can be fitted without modifying or removing the original indicators. All parts needed to fit the fairing are supplied.
Wunderlich is fully certified to DIN/EN/ISO 9001:2000 German Federal Motor Transport Authority standards for quality assurance, and its products are tested and approved to the TÜV standard.

WUNDERLICH GMBH
Sinzig, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)2642 97980
export@wunderlich.de
www.wunderlich.de

Friday 13 February 2015

EU new motorcycle registrations

EU new motorcycle registrations up by 8 percent in 2014, with Italy largest market

In line with IDN and ACEM predictions, 2014 finally saw motorcycle sales in Europe start to increase again following continuous decline that has seen them fall by more than 50 percent from 1.524m in 2007 to under 740k in 2013.

Last year the market bounced by 7.9 percent to see 798,328 new motorcycles sold and registered in 21 of the 28 markets of the European Union for which data was available when Brussels based ACEM concluded their provisional research for European market data at the end of January.

There will be a mid-year update, and historic data and current trends suggest that a further 9,000 to 10,000 new motorcycles will be reported as sold at that time. This data doesn't include EFTA nations such as Norway, where 4,128 motorcycles are reported as sold last year (up from 3,979 in 2013) and the impressive Swiss market where sales were up 5 percent to 39,847. Switzerland reputedly has the highest ownership of motorcycles per head of population in Europe and is the 6th largest market in Europe overall.

While a lot of comparisons between National trade association data in Europe can be inconsistent because of varying classification and reporting practices, ACEM's monthly, quarterly and annual data does give a reasonably uniform like-for-like comparison and trend.


The ACEM data places Italy as Europe's largest motorcycle market in 2014 with 156,431 new units reported as registered (+1.62 percent, and 19.59 percent of the total EU number); with France second, 153,324 units (+3.66 percent, and 19.21 percent of the EU total); Germany third, 141,623 units (+9.27 percent, and 17.74 percent of the EU total); the fast recovering Spanish market 4th, 111,460 units (+20.27 percent, and 13.96 percent of the EU total); with the UK 5th, 91,492 units (+ 13.02 percent, and 11.46 percent of the EU total).


These five markets between them account for 82 percent of motorcycle sales in the EU (a total of 654,331 motorcycles). Altogether 16 of the 20 EU markets for which comparable year-on-year data is available are showing increases in registrations.

In total Powered Two Wheeler (PTW) terms the European market is basically flat, having dropped by just 11,645 units/-1.49 percent from 2013 to 1,099,018 units in 2014 (a 55 percent decline from the high of 2,437,928 units seen in 2007) due to the still depressed Moped market in Europe, which saw registrations in the EU fall by 10.6 percent units to 340,468 for the year.

Europe's largest Moped market was France where 98,170 new sales were registered - nearly 30 percent of the total number of Mopeds sold in Europe; The Netherlands was Europe's second largest Moped market (62,940 units, 18 percent of European sales); Poland was the third largest Moped market in Europe in 2014 (40,715 units, 12 percent of European sales).

The top model in Europe in new model sales terms was BMWs R 1200 GS which is reported as having 18,013 registrations in the EU data so far available; among the major markets it was the number one selling model in Germany, and third strongest in the UK.

Six out of the top ten selling models in Europe were in the 500cc+ category; Yamaha's MT-07 was second (13,125 units), their 530cc XP500 TMAX was fifth (7,846 units), with their MT-09 sixth (7,562 units); BMWs R1200RT was eighth (6,625 units) with Kawasaki's Z800 tenth (6,235 units).

Six of the top 10 best sellers in Germany were in the 500cc+ category; in France four were of 500cc or more (the MT-07 was the best seller in the class at third overall); three were over 500cc in the UK, where the R1200GS and R1200GSA were third and seventh respectively with Triumph's Tiger 1200 Explorer ninth; there were two models of over 500cc in the top ten in Italy - with the Kawasaki Z800 in eighth and Yamaha's XP500 TMAX Scooter in ninth.

In Spain, all ten of their top sellers are 125cc motorcycles, with Kymco's Agility City 125 and Super Dink 125 in first and second place.

Ducati

Andrea Buzzoni returns to Ducati as Sales and Marketing Director

Following the departure of Cristuano Silei, Ducati has announced that Anrea Buzzoni is re-joining the Borgo Panigale (Bologna) based factory as Sales & Marketing Director.



Buzzoni (45) joins after 10 years as the General Manager for BMW Motorrad Italy, having been Ducati's Director in their German branch from 2001 to 2004.
No stranger to racing, while with BMW in Italy he managed their Superstock and Superbike World Championship projects, and subsequently the official BMW World Superbike Championship factory team.



Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, thanked Cristiano Silei for his achievements and commitment to Ducati, recognising the contribution he had made to the record results Ducati has realised, to their successful international expansion, and to the creation of the new Ducati brand, Scrambler.

www.ducati.com