Friday 23 February 2018

Commnet by Editor, Robin Bradley

Pods for Bods? Nah,
I think not!


Brussels based international motorcycle trade association ACEM staged its 13th annual conference in Brussels in January. The event, titled “Sustainable Motorcycling in Europe”, attracted more than 250 attendees from all over Europe, representing businesses, representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, NGOs and other organisations. 
The focus, of course, was on environmental sustainability, which embraces both kinds of emissions - chemical pollutants and noise - and sustainability in terms of the safety of its customers and other road users (vehicles safety, apparel and training quality).
Although slow to start with, in terms of all these evolving requirements, the industry has responded to the ever-tightening emissions and safety requirements seen in the past twenty plus years with an increasing sense of urgency and realism about the transport landscape of the future.
As a result of doing so, motorcycling is now not only regarded by transport policy makers as a legitimate form of transport whose consumers have exactly the same citizens’ rights as any other group of road users, but is also now regarded as one of the “good guys” of future facing transport solutions with a binding regulatory requirement for all new transport safety and environmental rule- making to be stress-tested against the very specific road use requirements of powered two- wheelers.
In calling on the EU to recognise that “sustainability” also means commercial viability, it fell to ACEM President and KTM CEO Stefan Pierer to point out that commercial sustainability also needed to be recognised as an essential part of the equation - an essential precondition of society’s ability to deliver on its ambitions for clean air, reduced urban congestion and safe roads.
“A market that is not economically viable cannot be regarded as being sustainable in any sense” said Pierer. He went on to call for greater speed and balance in arriving at future stages of regulation, saying that “in addition to manufacturers having responsibilities for good quality products, regulators have responsibilities too - responsibility to deliver good quality regulations. The framework they set for manufacturers to work in must also be sustainable from a business point of view.


Stefan Pierer, KTM CEO: “A market that is not economically viable cannot be regarded as being sustainable in any sense”

“Our industry is committed to sustainability, which we understand as a complex process related to environmental performance of vehicles, road safety and economic viability of our operations.
“Since 1999, our sector moved from the Euro 0 to the Euro 4 standard. Carbon monoxide emissions were reduced by 91%. Nitrogen oxide and carbon emissions considered together went down by 92%. Even more, this reduction in limit values took place at the same time that new and more stringent testing procedures were introduced in European legislation.
“In the coming months, we will start working on the implementation of the future Euro 5 environmental standard. However, manufacturing vehicles requires complex planning and we urgently need clarity from the European Commission regarding the technical content and implementation timeline of Euro 5.”
For me, one of the “elephants in the room” as the low or zero emissions, EV, driver assist, V2V and autonomous vehicle debates continue to evolve, has been where exactly will motorcycles fit into these often competing visions of the future. Antonio Perlot, the Secretary General of ACEM, quite rightly pointed to a future in which motorcycles/PTWs have a major role to play. However, it fell to Bernd Lange, an MEP from Germany and a player in the European Parliament’s scrutiny of proposed motorcycle transport regulation, to state the obvious. That while it is clear that electric power plants have a role to play, beyond the urban mobility context, long distance motorcycle travel faces the same challenges of capacity and charge time as do cars. There will therefore always be a role for low/zero emission internal combustion engine power plants.
Yes, exactly. The future is bright, but it is hybrid. Those who think that we are headed towards an entirely autonomous vehicle future are naïve. That is neither possible, necessary or desirable. The evolution of 21st century transport solutions of all kinds will be a mixed palette of circumstance-specific solutions in which it is the combination of improved and new elements that will achieve transport objectives – not the elimination of established elements or dependency on any one single new element.
Indeed, for me it is driver assist and V2V technology that holds the key for the future of life on two wheels. The safer and easier it becomes to use our products, in addition to the quieter and “greener” they are, the more of them we’ll sell.
Road users of the mid twenty-first century and beyond will be beneficiaries of a mixed portfolio of solutions; hopefully a perfect storm of initiatives that will make riding and driving on the roads cleaner, quieter, safer, less stressful and, even if one inevitable area of driver assist and V2V intervention are speed limit governors, actually, the result would be quicker transport too.
Now, autonomous movement of goods across land, sea and air, now that would actually address the largest single source of airborne pollutants produced by road going vehicles – “commercials” are the largest polluters by volume of toxins released. But a fully autonomous world of pods for bods? Nah, I think not!

Honda

Honda: 60 years 5 m PTWs produced in Malaysia

Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd. (BSH), a manufacturer and distributor of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia, has celebrated a historical milestone with 60 years of Honda’s motorcycle business in Malaysia, and 5 million units produced in Penang.



Honda’s motorcycle business in Malaysia began in 1957 with the establishment of the first motorcycle showroom by Boon Siew Sdn. Bhd. at Pitt Street, Penang, with fifty units of 4-stroke Honda Cub.
In 1969, local production of Honda motorcycles commenced through a technical collaboration. In 2008, Oriental Holdings Berhad and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. formed a joint venture company, Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd., to strengthen Honda motorcycle production and sales in Malaysia. In 2013, Boon Siew Honda began manufacturing at its new plant in Batu Kawan to cater for the increasing demand of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia.
Production had reached 1 million units by 1986, 3 million by 2007, and Honda has now made more than 5 million PTWs in Malaysia.

Polaris Industries

Polaris reports record +18%, $1,431 million Q4 2017 sales

Polaris Industries (owner of Indian Motorcycles) reported record fourth quarter 2017 sales of $1,431 million, up +18 percent.



“I am proud of the Polaris team and excited to see their dedication and hard work pay off as we returned the company to sustainable profitable growth in 2017. Indian Motorcycles massively outperformed the Motorcycle industry, building on its existing momentum with a flood of product news and a very successful year on the race track”, said CEO Scott Wine. 


Motorcycle segment sales, including PG&A, totalled $103 million, a decrease of two percent compared to $104 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2016 which included $25 million of Victory Motorcycle wholegood, accessory and apparel sales. Indian Motorcycles wholegood sales increased in the high-single digit percent range in the fourth quarter, while Slingshot sales more than doubled. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $5 million compared to $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Adjusted for the Victory Motorcycles wind down costs of $3 million, motorcycle gross profit was $8 million, up from the fourth quarter last year due to higher sales volume for both Indian Motorcycles and Slingshot and lower warranty costs.


Off-Road Vehicle (“ORV”) and Snowmobile segment sales, including their respective PG&A related sales, were $994 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, up 13 percent over $881 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 driven primarily by improved side-by-side shipments. PG&A sales for ORV and Snowmobiles combined, increased nine percent in the 2017 fourth quarter compared to the fourth quarter last year. Gross profit increased +11 percent to $279 million, or 28.0 percent of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $252 million, or 28.6 percent of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2016. Gross profit percentage decreased primarily due to higher warranty and negative product mix offset somewhat by lower promotional costs.


“Indian Motorcycles massively outperformed the motorcycle industry, building on its existing momentum with a flood of product news and a very successful year on the race track”

International sales to customers outside of North America, including PG&A, totalled $211 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, up +18 percent, from the same period in 2016. In the fourth quarter, sales in EMEA grew low-twenties percent, Asia Pacific increased high-single digits percent, and Latin America sales rose mid-teens percent.
In corporate terms gross profit increased +18 percent to $368 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $313 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Polaris announced its intention to wind down its Victory Motorcycles operations on January 9, 2017. The decision is expected to improve the long-term profitability of Polaris and its global motorcycle business, while materially improving the company’s competitive position in the industry.

German motorcycle registrations

Germany: motorcycle registrations -14.21 percent for 2017

The latest statistics released by the German motorcycle industry trade association (IVM) for the period to the end of December 2017 are affected by the year-ago rush to pre-register unsold 2016 Euro 3 inventory before the December 31st, 2016 deadline. 



In motorcycle registration terms, the market was said to have been down by -79.09 percent in December on low volumes (2,006 units), having been (theoretically) down by -22.46 percent in November, -14.18 percent in October and -22.46 percent in September.
For the full year new registrations in Germany are down by -14.21 percent at 100,877 units. However, allowing for the Euro 3 pre-registration effect and other factors affecting dealer inventory and unit sales for 2017, the market in Germany was, in all probability, broadly ‘flat’ for 2017, in the region of between -2.5 and +2.5 percent in motorcycle sales terms.
Though heavily incentivised units, the Euro 3 models that were pre-registered in the final quarter of 2016 will still have ben “new” machines as far as consumers are concerned and will have been sold during the first half of this year, artificially reducing the apparent market performance. The pre-registrations pushed the German 2016 statistics to show an artificially high +15.01 percent for the year, German new motorcycle registrations have been +5.59 percent and +10.75 percent for 2015 and 2014 respectively.
Total PTW registrations are said to have been -19.10 percent for 2017 in Germany at 139,831 units (compared to 172,846 in 2016 and 150,550 in 2015). The German market bottomed-out at 122,519 total new PTW registrations in 2010, and notwithstanding the effects of the recent statistical anomalies, has grown steadily ever since.
As is usual these days, BMW’s R 1200 GS continues its inexorable march towards domination, with 8,333 units reported as sold in Germany in 2017, leaving Yamaha’s MT-07 eating its dust in second with 3,493 units sold, followed by the Kawasaki Z 650 (2,665 units), Honda’s CRF 1000 ‘Africa Twin’ (2,562 units) and Kawasaki’s Z 900 (2,203 units); next come the BMW R nineT, Honda NC 750 X, KTM 690 Duke, BMW S 1000 R and KTM 1290 Superduke R.
With 7 models in the top 20 selling list, it is again no surprise that BMW was motorcycle (and total PTW) market share leader for 2017 in Germany, with 24,750 motorcycle units sold for a 24.53 percent increased market share. Honda is second (12,653 units sold for a 12.54 percent market share), with Yamaha third (10,874 units sold for a 10.78 percent market share), followed by Kawasaki, KTM, Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Triumph, Suzuki, with Husqvarna tenth.

Kellermann

Small and powerful Atto rear and brake light

German premium lights and accessories specialist Kellermann has added to its popular ‘Atto’ mini lights programme with the Atto RB - “probably the world’s smallest street legal rear and break light for motorcycles”.



The Atto Dark and the new Atto RB “define a completely new category of indicators: sensationally small and spectacularly bright. The new Atto RB rear and break light is a dual function marvel of miniaturisation and ultra-bright, market-leading LED technology”.
Kellermann CEO Dr. Stefan Wöste says that “with the Atto RB we take the saying “to see red” to the maximum with an intense red point of light delivering safety and clean design lines, all in one small package.



“The brake light of the Atto RB warns with an intensity that is second to none on the market. It keeps the following traffic at a distance with its incredible illuminating power. As with all our Atto series indicators, the optimised light channelling is managed through a smart system of lenses and reflectors. This is a result of the EXtranz - Extreme Optical Transparency - and our exclusive high-power LED technology.”
The complete electronics of the Bullet Atto are in the casing, and the indicator can be plugged into the 12 volt net directly. Features include IC operated 330 khz Long Life Protection Guard.

KELLERMANN GmbH
www.kellermann-online.com

Newfren

Newfren, new compounds

Based near Turin, Newfren has been manufacturing a complete range of motorcycle brake spare parts for over 50 years - brake pads, brake shoes, brake discs and clutches for a wide range of popular Italian and international makes and models going back to the 1960s.



Stock replacement and high performance products are offered, with new high performance compounds available that feature 16 application specific formulations to “guarantee the right quality, efficiency and performance for all braking needs”. Newfren says its distributors and dealers have access to “one of the most comprehensive range of motorcycle pads available with coverage for most popular makes and models of street and off-road motorcycles and scooters”.
Founded in the 1950s by Alessandro Barbero, Newfren has been an innovator and early adopter of a  number of new brake technologies, such as bonded friction material, gravity and high pressure die casting and brake shoes without rivets.
The company is still in family ownership with Valter Barbero at the helm, and 24 months ago the company completed a major two-year investment programme in new manufacturing technology at their 10,000 sqm facility in Italy. Newfren also has another modern 2,000 sqm facility based in Tunisia, where brake shoes are assembled.
Ahead of industry requirements where environmental manufacturing and compound formula requirements are concerned, Newfren has been granted UNI EN ISO 9001-2000 certification for its quality control system and ABE certification from the German KBA for many of its products.
Three ranges are offered for Road and four for Off-Road applications in addition to their Scooter pads - R01, Race Sinter for Road Bikes and X01, Dirt Sinter for Off-Road bikes are the two top level pads.

NEWFREN S.R.L.
www.newfren.com

Cross-Center International

Spoke sets for Honda CRF, XR and F

Swedish Motocross specialist Cross-Center International has added to an already extensive range of MX and ADV bike spoke options with new stainless-steel OEM replacement (3.6 mm) and Heavy Duty (4.0 mm) front and rear spoke kits for Honda’s popular CRF 100 and variants.



Manufactured in-house by Cross-Center, all the company’s spokes are made of Swedish stainless material, with all coloured nipples made of aluminium and anodised. “We have a wide range of different spoke nipples, in terms of material choices, such as steel, brass and aluminium in a wide range of size options and surface treatments - such as brass or aluminium only, zinc, nickel plated or anodised,” says owner Torbjörn Bergh.
“All our spokes are made as exact as possible to OEM specifications, and are sold as replacement spokes. Some spokes may have different length, bend or angle but when assembled they will fit the wheel perfectly. “We have tested all the other spokes on the market and know that ours are definitely made from the strongest stainless material available.
“Our steel spoke wire has a tensile strength of 1450 Nm and a yield strength of 1350 Nm and we include nickel plated steel spoke nipples in the price of a spoke or spoke set. Not only is ours the largest assortment of motocross spoke sets in the world, but we also make spokes for off-road, street bikes and vintage bikes.
Cross-Center has over 500 different spoke kits on the shelf and ready to ship at any one time. They also offer natural or anodised colour finished hubs and rims and a big selection of motocross brake discs.  Torbjörn says they are looking for importer/distributors worldwide and that “if we do not have the spokes a distributor or dealer needs, then simple – we make them to order, and they will meet or exceed OE specifications in just the same way all our spokes do”.

CROSS-CENTER INTERNATIONAL

www.cross-center.com

Pyramid Plastics

MT-07 belly pans and huggers

British bodywork and accessories specialist Pyramid Plastics has updated its range of MT-07 belly pans and huggers to include new Tech Black, Night Fluo Grey, Powder White and Yamaha Blue colour schemes for 2017. 


Designed to accommodate original fitment and aftermarket Akrapovic and Yoshimura exhaust systems, the hugger comes complete with a built-in chain guard and a substantial extension below the swingarm, offering superior protection for the linkage.
Providing added protection, as well as a unique aesthetic, Pyramid’s colour matched parts “really help to set one MT-07 apart from the rest”.



Pyramid offers hugger extensions for over 75 models and counting, with over 350 Extenda Fendas available from inventory. Founded in 1986, Pyramid ship worldwide direct from their UK factory.

PYRAMID PLASTICS
www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk

Thursday 15 February 2018

ACEM

European Union new motorcycle registrations -9.5 percent in 2017; or were they up by +2.5 percent?
 

The Brussels based international motorcycle industry trade association ACEM has released provisional numbers for 2017 new motorcycle registrations in European Union countries.
The data shows registrations of 913,445 internal combustion engine motorcycles for the 12 months to December 2017, which, compared to the 1,009,678 registrations officially recorded for 2016, would mean that the past year saw a decline in the region of -9.5 percent - the first decline since the market bottomed out at 748,529 registrations in 2013 and bringing an end to three consecutive years of growth.



However, as is widely accepted, the final quarter of 2016 (if not longer in some markets) saw a rush to get excess and unsold 2016 Euro 3 inventory pre-registered before the midnight December 31st cut-off, after which only Euro 4 compliant models could be registered.
Research carried out by International Dealer News suggests that this affected at least 50,000 motorcycles, probably more like 55,000 to 60,000, with the figure possibly as high as 65,000 units.
These units mostly went on to be sold by dealers in the first three or four months of 2017 as zero mileage pre-registered motorcycles. This means that the 1,009,678 registrations figure recorded for 2016 and the +13.3 percent growth that suggests was overstated, and the figure for 2017 has consequentially been understated.
The figures show 803,122 registrations for a 7.3 percent growth rate in 2014 as the anecdotal evidence of an end to the fall in sales translated into hard statistics for the first time. 


 the post 2013 picture changes radically

The following year, 2015, that growth trend was confirmed with 891,369 registrations recorded for a very positive 11 percent growth rate.
However, against that trend, the 13.3 percent growth rate apparently recorded for 2016, while great if it was true and could be sustained, always looked like a statistical error.
Although those Euro 3 units became gradually less profitable as dealers got further into the 2017 new year, with them and their manufacturers having to increasingly incentivise the units to get them sold (free extended warranties, improved insurance deals, zero percent finance, accessory packages etc), once sold, they nonetheless represented a new unit sale as far as the dealer and the buyer were concerned and, of course, artificially deflated the potential demand for the new Euro 4 inventory.
It may well be that very little of that Euro 3 carry-over inventory got sold at list price and that most of them were sold much closer to dealer costs. Indeed, by the time we were into May, it may well be that dealers were taking an effective loss on those bike sales and that, ultimately, some thousands of those units were “moved on” through the channels to be sold by so-called “grey importers/dealers” or through the cross-border used motorcycle retail network.



However, if the lowest possible of the figures is used - 50,000 Euro 3 units sold at above dealer cost through authorised or franchised dealerships - then the post 2013 picture changes radically, and the “real world” number of low single digits growth for 2017 that had been unofficially cited by at least three of the major market trade associations becomes a more reliable estimate of the 2017 market and the ongoing post-2013 trend.
At 50,000 fewer, the more realistic sales number for EU markets in 2016 is around 960,000 units, which, compared to 2016, shows a more realistic growth rate of 7.7 percent for 2016 following the 11 percent seen in 2015 and 7.3 percent seen in 2014.
If those 50,000 Euro 3 units are more accurately recorded as 2017 sales, then, at worst, 2017 was essentially “flat” with some 4,000 additional units sold over 2016. This recognises the widespread anecdotal feeling in the industry that 2017 was a “good year”; any year that sees the market hold on to the 20 percent growth seen in the prior 4 years (given where market trends had been in the period between 2008 and 2013) must indeed be regarded as a “good year”!
 

 “If those 50,000 Euro 3 units are more accurately recorded as 2017 sales, then, at worst, 2017 was essentially “flat” with some 4,000 additional units sold over 2016”

In fact, that 50,000 unit adjustment is on the light side - it is a very cautious estimate. In truth a figure of 55,000 is likely to be much closer to the reality of the situation and that would bring the market much closer to where anecdotal evidence suggests the sales number should be, at +1.4 percent; indeed at 60,000 Euro 3 sales in 2017, the market would have grown by +2.5 percent at 973,445 units sold, up from a more realistic figure of 949,678 units in 2016.
This would mean that the 2014 growth of +7.3 percent was followed by +11 percent in 2015, then +6.5 percent in 2016 and +2.5 percent in 2017. This is trend data that is much closer to the unofficial estimates being cited by some of the major market trade associations and manufacturers, and more in line with anecdotal evidence from dealers and the parts and accessory sector.
Indeed, although Japanese motorcycle brand sales are only part of the European equation, and nothing like as large a percentage of the market as they were a decade and more ago, an analysis of the Japanese made motorcycle export data issued every moth by JAMA, confirms the central thesis - namely that the 2016 registration data is distorted by Euro 3 inventory pre-registration and that therefore 2017 market performance is better than appears to be the case.



In fact, off the record, one major European motorcycle industry trade association General Secretary that IDN spoke to recently thought that even the 60,000 number was probably still an underestimate of the effect.
The significance of this isn’t in the numbers as such, because either way approximately the same number of units were sold, one way or another, over a 24-month cycle.
However, in a world where perception is a critical driver of consumer confidence, it is much more appealing for consumers, especially younger consumers and new entrants, to want to be involved in a growing market than in one that may be open to being interpreted as being “yesterday’s news”.
The moped sector is undergoing its own Euro 3/Euro 4 moment now, with the regulations coming into effect 12 months later. Which probably explains the equally counter-intuitive 2017 new moped registration data also released by ACEM.
From a recent high of 588,853 units registered in 2010 (actually, itself a figure much reduced from 2007 and before, as a result of the financial crisis), moped registrations have been in steady decline year-on-year.
 

 “This is trend data that is much closer to the unofficial estimates being cited by some of the major market trade associations and manufacturers”

The 2016 figure of 316,662 marked a near 14,000 unit decline on 2015 (down by -4.2 percent) and a loss of more than 270,000 units sold annually since 2010 (-46.2 percent).
In that context the apparent 2017 growth of some 82,000 units for a +26.1 percent moped market is clearly counter-intuitive. The rate of decline in new moped registrations has slowed in recent years (the market lost some 36,000 units between 2014 and 2016 compared to some 236,000 units between 2010 and 2014), so in all probability 2017 moped sales were flat or modestly down and the 2018 data will reveal a similar 2017/18 regulatory delayed aftershock to that seen in the motorcycle data for 2016/17.
In other news, the number of internal combustion engine quadricycles registered in the EU in 2017 was down by -31.4 percent at 48,427 units from 70,578 in 2016, following steady growth of two or three thousand units a year for the period 2013 through 2015 and a 10,526 growth between 2015-2016.
The electric motorcycle market continues to lag significantly behind demand for electric mopeds, but even those registrations show how juvenile the EV PTW market still is in Europe.
In 2017, 4,121 new electric motorcycle registrations were recorded; up +17.9 percent from 3,496 in 2016, 2,230 in 2015 and 1,995 in 2014.
Electric moped registrations were 27,029 units, which is up dramatically (+138.3 percent) from the 11,342 registrations recorded for 2016 as ride share schemes and incentives take effect, and new generations of more powerful Pedelecs come onto the market (there were 9,227 electric mopeds registered in 2015, 7,948 in 2016).
Some 3,242 electric quadricycles were registered in 2017, down -54.8 percent from 7,167 in 2017, which is itself up 93.9 percent from the 3,696 recorded in 2015; and we here at IDN think that it can be safely said that this particular trend is not triggered by changes in emissions compliance standards!

Ducati

Ducati delivered 55,871
motorcycles in 2017


In 2017, the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer delivered 55,871 bikes, up modestly by 420 units from 2016. 



Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding said that “2017 was another great year for Ducati, both commercially and racing-wise. We battled it out for the MotoGP title all the way to the last race, won six GPs and brought home the best results since 2009. Continuous renewal of the product range and a strong focus on creating motorcycles of the utmost quality has allowed us to keep on growing despite the problems affecting the world market.”
Ducati says that in 2017 the Multistrada family (including the new 950) “proved particularly popular. The Monster family also enjoyed healthy sales, as did the SuperSport and the exclusive 1299 Superleggera, 500 of which were purchased (at a price of 80,000 euro each) even before they went into production.
“Ducati Scrambler solidified the success of the previous two years, reinforcing the range of Scrambler bikes offered by the addition of the new Desert Sled and Café Racer. A total of 14,061 Scrambler bikes were delivered in 2017, making a significant contribution to overall sales.
“Our Italian sales were particularly buoyant, ending 2017 with +12% growth (8,806 motorcycles delivered). The upward trend was also evident in the rest of Europe, where Ducati increased bike deliveries by +4% to a total of 31,123. Ducati also grew on the Spanish market, where sales rose by a considerable +28.3%.
“In the USA - which remains our largest market - deliveries were up by +1.3%, with bike sales totalling 8,898. In Argentina, the growth rate reached a stunning + 66%. In Asian markets Ducati delivered a total of 5,805 bikes, also strengthening its position in China (+ 31%) where the dealership network doubled in size from 9 to 18.”
In other news Ducati announced a collaboration with Rizoma for the production of an exclusive range of special parts for Ducati models.
The company has also confirmed 20–22 July for its 10th World Ducati Week (WDW) at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico (Italy).

Piaggio

Piaggio unit sales +12.4 percent in Q3

With its third quarter fiscals Piaggio says it has “confirmed its leadership of the European two-wheeler market” with a 15.2% overall share and 25.4 percent share of the scooter sector. 


At 30 September 2017, the Group sold 299,400 two-wheelers worldwide, up +12.4% (266,400 at 30 September 2016), generating net sales of 771.8 million euro, an improvement of +5.7% (730 million euro at 30 September 2016).
The figure includes spares and accessories, on which turnover totalled 101.3 million euro, an increase of +4% from the first nine months of 2016.
The Group says it maintained a particularly strong presence on the North American scooter market, with a share of 20%; it is also committed to strengthening its position in motorcycles in North America. On the Indian two-wheeler market, the Group more than doubled its sales volumes from the year-earlier period, thanks to the introduction of the new Aprilia SR 150 scooter and the excellent performance of Vespa. 



In Asia Pacific terms, Vietnam reported a decline in scooter sales volumes, while the Group expanded its offer in Thailand through its recent entry onto the motorcycle market with the introduction of the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands, flanking the already well-established scooter offer with the Vespa and Piaggio brands.
Highlights in the scooter sector included excellent results of the Vespa brand, which boosted worldwide sales by +11.4% in respect of to the first nine months of the last year. In Europe sales were up by +16.5%; in India, where the new (Vespa) Red VXL model has been introduced, sales revenue was +31.3%.
Performance was also positive in high-wheel scooters (growth in volume of +6.4%), where the Group reported revenue growth at global level, largely thanks to the new Liberty and to the Beverly.
In the scooter sector, the Aprilia brand also saw positive results, especially on the Indian market, thanks to the Aprilia SR 150 sports scooter.
The motorcycle sector of the Group also made “great strides”. The Aprilia brand saw an increase in sales, in particular generated by the naked Tuono, the new Aprilia Shiver 900 and Dorsoduro 900 (launched in June 2017), and the new 125cc, RS and Tuono, launched in April.
The revenue at Moto Guzzi was particularly driven by the positive sales trend of the V7, whose fiftieth anniversary this year has been marked with an ad hoc model.
Overall Group EBIT at 30 September 2017 was 69.1 million euro, an increase of 14.3% (60.5 million euro at 30 September 2016), EBIT margin was 6.5% (5.9% at 30 September 2016), pre-tax profits were 44.1 million euro, up +31.2%; the Group made a net profit of 25.1 million euro (+31.2%) and sold a total of 426,700 vehicles worldwide (411,700 in the first nine months of 2016).

KTM Industries AG

KTM Group +17% for 2017 at 238,334 units sold

KTM Industries AG has announced that 2017 saw the company achieve a seventh consecutive record result with an all-time high in revenues and profit.
At 1,533.4 m euro revenues for the year were + 14% with EBIT +8% at 132.5 m euro after investments of 179.6 m euro in the last 12 months. 



The company says it sold 238,334 KTM and Husqvarna brand motorcycles in its 2017 business year “further strengthening our position as the largest motorcycle producer in Europe”. Sales increased by more than 17% compared to the previous year.
To support further growth, 92 m euro was invested in product development (including tools and machines) in the past year, with investments in plant and infrastructure focused on the new high-performance drivetrain production facility, in additive manufacturing at Pankl in Kapfenberg, and into the expansion of the research and development department at KTM in Mattighofen.
Due to the growth of the group, 818 additional employees were hired in 2017 (652 of them in Austria) taking the Group to 5,887 people worldwide, including 4,568 in Austria.
The company says that for the business year 2018, KTM Industries Group expects further organic growth in its core areas. With the market launch of Husqvarna's first street motorcycles (Vitpilen and Svartpilen) and the KTM twin-cylinder models (790 Duke), management expects to remain on track for continued growth and anticipates a positive business performance for 2018.
The company aims to sell 400,000 motorcycles annually by the business year 2022.
In other news, KTM concluded a joint venture agreement with CF Moto in China in October – to continue expansion of KTMs presence in the Chinese market. The new business, “CFMoto-KTMR2R”, is 49 percent owned by KTM.

Harley-Davidson

Harley to close two factories in response to -11.1% final quarter decline in domestic U.S. retail sales

Harley-Davidson’s response to its hugely disappointing 2017 4Q and full year results is to constrain future manufacturing capacity by closing two factories for a total net job loss of around 500 jobs in what it describes as “Manufacturing Optimization” and point to “progress in building riders” and expanded product development through increased investment in electric motorcycle technology.


Harley-Davidson President and CEO Matt Levatich: “The decision to consolidate our final assembly plants was made after very careful consideration of our manufacturing footprint and the appropriate capacity given the current business environment”

The company’s worldwide retail motorcycle sales were down -6.7 percent in 2017 compared to 2016, with domestic U.S. retail sales down -8.5 percent while international retail sales fared better at down -3.9 percent.
Closure of the Kansas City final assembly plant is expected to cost some 800 direct jobs in that area, with some 400 new hires slated for York, PA, where all final assembly operations will be consolidated. The other facility to close is Harley’s New Cast Alloy wheel factory at Adelaide in southern Australia at a cost of a further 100 direct jobs.
“Our actions to address the current environment through disciplined supply and cost management position us well as we drive to achieve our long-term objectives to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders globally,” said Matt Levatich, president and chief executive officer, Harley-Davidson, Inc.
“We finished 2017 with over 32,000 more Harley-Davidson riders in the U.S. than one year ago, and we delivered another year of strong cash generation and cash returns to our shareholders.” 



Harley reiterated its focus on training “the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders globally”, and confirmed that it had opened 57 new international dealer points in 2017. Harley (and Indian Motorcycle for that matter) are on record as expecting 50 percent of sales to be outside of the domestic U.S. market within ten years.
Harley has also announced that it is step up its research in to EV technology and plans to have its first E-bike model on sale within 18 months.
CEO Matt Levatich said that “the EV motorcycle market is in its infancy today, but we believe premium Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles will help drive excitement and participation in the sport globally. As we expand our EV capabilities and commitment, we get even more excited about the role electric motorcycles will play in growing our business.”
Following the release of its 4Q and FY 2017 fiscals, Polaris CEO Scott Wine responded to suggestions that Polaris was perhaps falling behind the curve in E-bike terms, after having been well ahead of Harley, said that, for them, it wasn’t so much a technology issue but one of ROI – suggesting that it was difficult, at this stage, to see a pathway to profits in the sector in the short term.


New Sport Glide Softail model at its EICMA debut
The annual figures concealed a dramatically disappointing final quarter of 2017 for Harley, one in which the company was widely expected to have been able to point to some good news as a result of the theoretically well received new generation M-8 engined Softails becoming available at dealerships.
In the fourth quarter, Harley-Davidson worldwide retail motorcycle sales declined -9.6 percent compared to the prior year. Harley-Davidson domestic U.S. retail motorcycle sales were down -11.1 percent in a market that was down by around half that at -6.5 percent compared to the year-ago quarter. Fourth quarter market share was down on 3Q 2017 and 4Q 2016 share at -50.8 percent in the 601+cc segment.

Liqui Moly

Liqui Moly sold to Würth

German lubricant specialist Liqui Moly has been bought by the giant retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer Künzelsauer Group. Prior owner Ernst Prost, 60, will remain as Managing Director of Liqui Moly. 



Ernst Prost, 60, will remain
as Managing Director

It is said that in day-to-day business terms the change of ownership at Liqui Moly is unlikely to result in dramatic changes - business as usual appears to be the message with company will remain independent within the Würth Group and all employees will be taken over. “Everything remains as it is. It would be nonsensical to change anything on the road to success in recent years. It goes on as before - just under a larger roof, which offers more protection,” said Prost.


According to Prost, Liqui Moly is “very healthy”, with the equity ratio at over 80 percent. In 2016 the company achieved a turnover of 489 million euros with some 800 employees.
Würth/Künzelsauer Group (itself still a family business) has around 73,000 employees worldwide, with annual sales of 12.5 billion euros and has been a silent partner in Liqui Moly for almost 20 years. 




Founded in 1957, Liqui Moly develops and produces exclusively in Germany, with around 4,000 automotive chemicals, motor oils and additives, greases and pastes, sprays and car care, glues and sealant items - selling in more than 120 countries.
www.liqui-moly.com

BS Battery

BS Battery sponsors Zarco

BS Battery is very proud to announce sponsorship of the French MotoGP rider Johann Zarco.  Zarco’s helmet will display two stickers on the sides with the BS Battery logo - he will also wear a helmet exclusively covered with BS Battery’s logo for one grand prix during the 2018 season.


In 2017, 27 year-old Zarco confirmed his reputation as one of the up and coming new stars of the future as ‘Best Rookie’ of the MotoGP championship, best independent rider, and he secured a remarkable 6th place overall at the end of the championship, with 3 podiums, 2 pole positions, and 4 fastest laps.
Zarco made his Grand Prix debut with the WTR San Marino team in the 125 cc World Championship. Zarco then moved up to Moto 2 with the JiR team in 2012 on board Motobi bikes, finishing the season tenth in the standings.



In 2013 he joined the Ioda Project Racing team, riding a Suter, and finishing ninth after two podiums. The following year he finished sixth for Caterham, scoring four podiums and a pole. He won the Moto 2 title with Ajo (8 wins, 14 podiums, 7 poles) and went on to successfully defend his title in 2016 – becoming the first rider to win back-to-back intermediate titles in the Moto 2 era (7 wins, 10 podiums, 7 poles).
www.bs-battery.com

Pyramid Plastics

Dealer promotion on MT-10 sport fairing panels

British bodywork specialist Pyramid Plastics offers a range of sport fairing panels for the Yamaha MT-10 (including the SP). Pyramid’s sport fairing panels offer unique styling as well as covering up the unsightly exposed area at the radiator ends, which is often thought to look ‘unfinished’ from a styling perspective.



Available in colour match finishes including Night Fluo Grey, Tech Black and Race Blu, as well as gloss black and unpainted for those who want to add their own paint scheme. Pyramid also offer a range of MT-10 stickers in different colours so that your customer can mix and match to create their own unique look.
To kick off 2018, Pyramid are running a 2018 Dealer Trade Offer on their MT-10 Night Fluo sport fairing panels - open to all dealers with a Pyramid trade account, a set for display can be bought at a 50% discount. “A great way of setting your MT-10 apart from the rest and getting your customers interested,“ says Pyramid’s Adam Bowser.
www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk

Sunday 4 February 2018

BMW

BMW - seventh consecutive
all-time sales high


BMW has reported that its 2017 worldwide deliveries of motorcycles and scooters increased by +13.2% to 164,153 vehicles, with strong sales growth in Europe and Asia.
The strongest growth was recorded in Europe in 2017, where an all-time high was achieved – growth was driven by France (16,607 units / +24.3 %), Italy (14,430 units / +17.3 %), Spain (11,193 units / +17.6 %) and the UK / IE (9,550 units / +8.7 %).




Overall around +15.0 % more vehicles were delivered in Europe than in 2016. Their Asian market also continues to grow - China and Japan are among the Asian markets with the strongest double-digit growth. In India the BMW Group’s own sales subsidiary has begun successfully selling BMW motorcycles.
Germany is once again the largest single market for BMW Motorrad at +7.1 percent / 26,664 units sold; making it the leading brand in market share terms in its home market.
For the first time, more than 50,000 units of the two R 1200 GS and GS Adventure travel enduros were sold; sales of the traditionally strong R Series increased significantly overall; and thanks to the new R nineT model variants (“Pure”, “Racer” and “Urban G/S”) sales in the flat twin boxer segment increased strongly by +9.6% to a total of 86,090 motorcycles.
Worldwide, the sports-oriented BMW S Series with the S 1000 RR Supersports bike, the S 1000 R Power Roadster and the S 1000 XR Adventure bike sold 21,752 units in 2017 (13.3 percent of all BMW units sold). Introduced in 2017 and described as an “agile all-rounder”, 11,595 units of the G 310 R and G 310 GS models were sold, with demand reported to be strong in Europe, South America and Asia.
Sales of the 6-cylinder models “are also developing very positively. Already in its first year of sales, the K 1600 Bagger, which is aimed especially at the US market, is proof of the unbroken trend towards large-capacity, emotional touring bikes”.
Timo Resch, BMW Motorrad Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “With 6,719 units sold and a 50% increase in sales, our 6-cylinder models are among the big winners of 2017. After Germany, the USA will remain an important market for BMW Motorrad in the coming years, too. We will continue to increase our involvement in this important market in order to strengthen BMW Motorrad’s position there.
“We are also responding to the special US market requirements with the K 1600 Grand America recently presented at the Milan motorcycle show by also consistently expanding our sales structure. In 2017 we proved ourselves to be the innovative leader in many areas.
“The exclusive HP4 RACE with its lightweight carbon fibre frame and wheels attracted great attention. We also responded to the need for increasing digitalisation expressed by customers – launching our multifunctional instrument cluster with 6.5 inch full-colour TFT display, featuring a wide range of navigation and communication functions. This feature is now being rolled out to further models too.
“We expect to see further growth in sales for our vehicles in 2018, and we are looking forward to seeing the demand for the completely new F 750 GS and F 850 GS and the much-anticipated C 400 X midsize scooter. Expanding our urban mobility product range is a key sector for the future of BMW Motorrad”.

KTM

KTM Adventure Rally returns

KTM has announced that its second European KTM Adventure Rally will be held in Sardinia at the end of June 2018.



“A KTM Adventure Rally is for those who want to fully embrace the KTM ‘Ready to Race’ spirit, sharing tarmac and dirt passes in incredible surroundings to form lasting friendships and unforgettable memories with likeminded riders – including KTM ambassadors and employees”.
The event opportunity will be exclusive to the first 150 KTM Adventure-owning riders who sign up.
Complementing existing established KTM Adventure events that have taken place annually in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and South Africa, 2017 saw the first European staging in Bardonecchia.
“The exclusive group of riders got to experience incredible road and off-road riding in the mountainous area of Northern Italy. Following customer feedback, the beautiful island of Sardinia has been chosen for 2018 for KTM Adventure owners to conquer its incredible variety of endless sea view sandy trails, twisty mountain passes and extreme off-road routes with unexplored terrain”.

Leatt


Leatt GPX 4.5

Off-road specialist Leatt, best known as originators of the award-winning ‘Leatt-Brace’ have “stepped up their game for 2018, launching a new entry-level helmet”.
The Leatt GPX 4.5 helmet is described as “bringing Leatt’s proven safety technology to your local track at a very attractive price point”.
It is equipped with 360º Turbine Technology, which is said to help reduce the risk of concussion-level head impact by up to 30% and rotational acceleration to the head and brain by up to 40%. 



Eleven turbines, made of an energy-absorbing material which hardens on impact, are strategically placed inside the helmet. The multi-density, V-shaped impact foam moulded directly to the outer shell does not only reduce its volume by 10%, but is also said to transfer up to 20% less rotational forces to the neck, head and the brain.
“This triple-density construction (dual density V-Foam plus 360° turbines) dampens all kinds of harmful forces – from low impact to high speed”. Certified and tested for both ECE 2205 or DOT, the weight of the ECE helmet is from 1,150 g (the DOT version is from 1,300 g/2.86 lbs). 



LEATT CORPORATION

www.leatt.com

Rapid Bike

Rapid Bike shift assist

This new up/down shift assist “represents a big step forward in terms of quick-shifting”, according to Italian add-on and racing parts manufacturer Rapid Bike - a ‘Blipper’ - for models equipped with ‘ride by wire’.



Said to “reach unmatched technical standards” and “designed to deliver outstanding performance to race track enthusiasts and further improve riding experience”, the new shifting device exchanges information with their EVO and RACING add-on modules via CAN bus, allowing it to perform auto-calibration of shifting kill-time relative to the pressure applied in both directions - the upper and the lower gear - while matching the specific engine configuration.
This new accessory actually inherits all the benefits and advantages of Rapid Bike’s previous ‘all around quick shifter sensor’, including full compatibility with their YouTune, to manage the pressure level applied for activating shifting operations and modulate the engine response sensitivity when opening the throttle control. The new up/down shift assist will be available in early 2018.

RAPID BIKE/DIMSPORT
www.rapidbike.it

CNC Racing

GP style brake cooling air duct kits

New from CNC Racing in Italy, these GP ducts for most popular late model Superbike 1000 and 'Naked' style models are said to be the result of collaboration with the best MotoGP and SBK teams - they are the kind of brake cooling airways used in the world championships. 



The kit contains two autoclave formed carbon ducts available in polished or matt; model-specific fixing kits additionally available, including black finished metal brackets and stainless steel fixing screws. The list of applications is updated weekly with new bike models and can be checked on their website.
CNC Racing, Italy, www.cncracing.it

LSL

Enduro strut-handlebar

By popular demand, LSL has reintroduced the classic Enduro handlebar with strut, a handlebar of the 70s, then obligatory on a XT or XL of that time.


Similar in form to their naked bike handlebar, this design also suits a street bike and has the same ABE certificate. Traditionally made from steel tubing, and with 22 mm tube dimension, the MX 2 is also perfect for all BMW Boxer models of the 80s and 90s and is offered either black powder-coated or in chrome. 


If the handlebar already exists, but a different look is wanted, then the LSL strut is available on its own, and far from just being an optical accessory, it adds genuine reinforcement to 22mm handlebars, especially for riders of Superbikes like the GSX 1400 or XJR 1300, improving stability, even at speeds of over 200 kmh. The strut also fits the most popular conical handlebars and serves as a clear optical improvement. Made from aluminium with a 13mm diameter; clamps CNC-machined and black anodised.

LSL MOTORRADTECHNIK GmbH
www.lsl.eu

Bonamici Racing

From track to street with Bonamici

Genuinely race-bred and CNC-machined from single blocks of high-grade, lightweight aluminium alloy, Italian specialist Bonamici’s accessories are among some of the best designed top-end quality parts on the market.



Seen here is their new accessory line for the popular Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2017. Bonamici’s top-selling products include their unique rearsets – the use of bearings completely eliminates friction on the levers for durable, smooth, trouble-free reduced-effort use.
They have a spring for the assisted return of the rear brake lever, and the footpegs can be adjusted in nine different positions. Available as standard in black anodised finish, but additional colour and custom options are available for these and for all of Bonamici’s accessories such as the handlebars, engine cover protectors, lever guards and complete lever kits.



Also seen here, Bonamici CNC billet aluminium alloy (Ergal) rearset and engine cover protectors for the 2017 Triumph Street Triple. These versions are seven-position adjustable and can be used with conventional or reverse shifting set-ups, with or without quickshifter.

BONAMICI RACING

www.bonamiciracing.it

Evotech

Monster 797 license plate kit

Italian manufacturer Evotech has a new license plate mount available to replace the stock design on the Ducati Monster 797. 


Compatible with all the OEM mounting points, it gives a 30-degree angle and comes as a complete kit and will accept Evotech, Kellermann, CNC Racing, Highsider and all other aftermarket turn signals on the market.
Delivered in a briefcase, this plate holder is of “exceptional quality and an exemplary finish,” according to the company. It corresponds to the dimensions of the approved plates.
Evotech recommend ordering it with their approved 4-LED plate light with built-in voltage regulator; a reflex reflector and retro-reflector are also available.

EVOTECH SRL

www.evotech-rc.it