Tucker Rocky/MAG "merger"

Tucker Rocky/MAG "merger" deal completed

TUCKER Rocky/Biker’s Choice and Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG) have announced that their previously announced "merger" has now been completed.

As planned, the combined company will operate under the MAG name, with John A. Lacy, President and CEO of Indianapolis based Lacy Diversified Industries (LDI Ltd., being the majority shareholder of the combined company) as the Chief Executive Officer. 

Brian Etter will continue in his role as President of MAG’s "branded product, media and online retail operations”, with Dan Courtney continuing as President of Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice.

The former MAG majority owner, the Los Angeles based equity investor Leonard Green & Partners and other "legacy MAG shareholders" as they are being described, will retain a "significant minority interest in the combined company".

Best known as the owners of Vance & Hines, Performance Machine, Kuryakyn, Progressive Suspension, J&P Cycles and a number of other high profile specialist motorcycle industry parts and accessory brands, manufacturers, retailers and media outlets, MAG is being touted as having "merged" with the Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice operation.

However, industry talk of an arising likelihood that the deal implies some kind of upcoming 'integration' plan between the two aftermarket giants appears to be wide of the mark.

The deal in fact appears to be a lot simpler at this stage, with Tucker Rocky's parent company LDI simply making a strategic acquisition which, in effect, sees them taking an ownership position as an alternate investor to Leonard Green & Partners or acquisition by some other equity investor.

It would appear that Leonard Green had decided that the interests of the investors in fund through which their ownership of MAG was held and funded would now be better served by realising value at this time, rather than continuing with its ownership.

In this context industry insiders are pointing to LDI as being an excellent ownership candidate for MAG as the company has both the resources and the pedigree to be a beneficial long-term owner of a power sports industry business, as proven by their established track record as owners of Tucker Rocky.

At the time that the plan was press released some seven weeks before this completion announcement, LDI stated that it “had been a major participant in the power sports industry for 25 years through its ownership of Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice", and referenced their business ownership strategy as being one of "build and hold".

That said, rumours about consolidation and potential "merger" of operations were rife at the time, fuelled in part, it would appear, by LDI also stating that “long-term success for the company will be built by bringing enhanced selection, service and solutions to power sports dealers in order to drive retail sales growth”. A statement that appears to presage leveraging of combined ownership and Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice resources in a rather more "integrated" way than a simple investment holding company strategy might suggest.

While those rumours have died down since, and with all concerned remaining tight-lipped about details, there nonetheless is widespread relief that MAG ownership will reside "within" the industry and a growing sense that this particular chapter in the story of aftermarket consolidation brings opportunity for dealers with it.

At the time MAG Chairman, shareholder and original founding partner Arnie Ackerman was quoted as saying that “the strategic merit for this combination stems from the highly complementary product and service offerings of each of these businesses".

Lacy Diversified is somewhat of an American institution, certainly an Indianapolis institution, owing its origins to a business founded there in 1912 by Howard Lacy. The Lacy Diversified name was adopted in 1972 to reflect the evolution of the group and now, 102 years since it was founded, it is still owned and operated by the Lacy family, with Andre Lacy as Chairman and his son, John A. Lacy, representing the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the ownership and operation of the group.

Famously, Tucker Rocky owes its origins to Texan Ed Tucker's 1967 wholesale motorcycle oil business and subsequent expansion and diversification following Bob Nickell's purchase of the business in 1972.

The business became Tucker Rocky (TR) in 1986 following the purchase of Rocky Cycle, and was acquired by Lacy Diversified Industries in 1989. NEMPCO, a specialist New England based Harley aftermarket parts business (founded in 1971 by Larry Coppola) was bought by Tucker Rocky in 1992 in order to give the group strength in a then fast developing custom parts industry that had already seen the emergence of several strong specialty distribution brands.

Tucker Rocky re-branded NEMPCO as Biker's Choice (itself a NEMPO own brand) in 1998, and the business is a strictly wholesale operation that claims it sells over 100,000 products to all sectors of the motorcycle and wider power sports market, through seven domestic US distribution centres.

MAG was founded in 2000 by Arnie Ackerman and his partners in a San Francisco based equity investment fund managed by Duff Ackerman and Goodrich (DAG). The specific intention of the fund was to acquire, finance and develop leading motorcycle aftermarket parts and accessory brands and manufacturers.

As the man who had largely guided the acquisition strategy and driven development of the Group, Ackerman retained a shareholding in MAG in 2006 when DAG’s interest was acquired by Leonard Green & Partners - a Los Angeles based equity investor with current involvements in well known consumer brands such as Petco, The Sports Authority, J Crew, Top Shop, Lucky Brand Jeans and the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Though details are confidential it is being assumed that Ackerman and former MAG company owners such as Terry Vance, Byron Hines, Tom Rudd, Perry Sands, John Parham and others are among the "legacy" shareholders referred to by LDI, thus meaning, given the deal and holding company structure that has been announced, that they now, in effect, have a (albeit modest) stake in ownership of Tucker Rocky.

www.ldiltd.com
www.maggroup.com
www.tuckerrocky.com
www.bikerschoice.com

Polaris' first factory in Europe

Polaris' first factory in Europe

PANATTONI Europe, a leading industrial property developer, has completed the first European factory for Polaris Industries Inc. The 33,000 sqm facility (355,000 sq ft) was built in Opole, at the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone Invest-Park in Poland. 

Production of vehicles is expected to commence as early as September.
The production hall takes up 25,600 sqm of the facility (275,000 sq ft), the rest being warehousing and offices; construction work started at the beginning of August 2013. 

"This is the manufacturer's first European factory. Up to 25 thousand quads and small all-terrain vehicles per year will be made for delivery to Europe, Middle East and Russia. Some 350 jobs will be created initially, with that number expected to grow in the future" said Boguslaw Dawiec, Plant Manager.

“Our Opole, Poland, plant is right on schedule for start up later this year”, Polaris President and COO Bennett Morgan said during Polaris’ first-quarter conference call in April.

American Report

Ackerman named Chair of MIC Aftermarket/Allied Trade Committee

ARNOLD W. Ackerman, chairman emeritus and founder of the Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG), has accepted the appointment of Chair of Motorcycle Industry Council's (MIC) Aftermarket/Allied Trade Committee. Ackerman will be replacing the committee’s previous Chair, Steve Johnson, who was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Tucker Rocky Distributing for 12 years before retiring in 2012.

“As we continue to focus on strengthening our industry’s recovery, we are excited to have a key contributor like Arnie Ackerman lead our Aftermarket Committee”, said Dennis McNeal, MIC Chair and Vice President Motorcycle Operations at Yamaha Motor Corporation. “Arnie’s resume is filled with industry experience, and he’s no stranger to the MIC. He’s worked with and supported the MIC on a variety of projects and issues over the years, and we look forward to Arnie’s leadership as he takes the helm of this industry-critical committee”. 

Ackerman, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast whose ties to the industry run deep, founded Motorsport Aftermarket Group in 2000. MAG, a MIC member for 12 years, is an assemblage of many leading motorcycle industry brands, representing segments in dirt/off-road, street, V-twin, all-terrain vehicles and  recreational off-highway vehicles (side-by-sides). 

“Our industry is facing persistent and ongoing challenges and some never-before-seen threats”, said Ackerman. “A strong MIC is necessary to combat these threats and at the same time to be able to offer sensible solutions. The MIC Aftermarket/Allied Trade Committee’s cadre of board members represents all aspects of our industry and is qualified and ready to take on the challenge”.

The other members of MIC’s Aftermarket/Allied Trade Committee are Gary Bryson of K & N Engineering, Joan Dyal of GE Commercial Finance, Don Emde of Don Emde, Inc., Frank Esposito of Kendon Industries, Inc., Kerry Graeber of Marketplace Events, Kevin Hagerty of MotoQuest, Robin Hartfiel of Resmarket, Inc., Dick Lague of Ignition3, LLC, Larry Little of Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group, Tom McCarthy of Motorcycle Management Consulting Services, Inc., Sarah Schilke of Schuberth North America, Tigra Tsujikawa of Advanstar, and Jayson Wickenkamp of Scorpion Sports, Inc.

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American Report Briefs

Motorcycle dealers in the US have the chance to see their customers win a total of nearly $30,000 in gift certificates and other prizes, thanks to the Revive Your Ride! Spring Giveaway promotion, sponsored by the aftermarket members of the Motorcycle Industry Council. The twice-per-year promotion is entirely free for dealers, and free for consumers to participate.

BRP is to build new Can-Am plant in Juarez, Mexico. The 45,000 sq m (500,000 sq ft) facility represents an estimated $55 million Canadian (€37m/US$50m) investment. Manufacturing operations are will begin by the end of 2015, with the project completed by the end of 2017; 900 jobs are expected to be created. BRP already has a facility in Juarez, on the border with the US, and both plants will be geographically close to each other. This will be BRPs third facility in Mexico.

Brembo has celebrated the opening of its expanded North American manufacturing operations at Homer, Michigan, where the company is investing more than $115 million to expand a facility that houses production of brake discs and calipers and assembly module manufacturing. North America will become the number one market for the group by the end of 2014 - last year saw a 19.4 percent increase in US revenue, with a 27.7 percent increase during the first quarter of this year. The growth is due to the 2007 purchase of the Hayes-Lemmerz Automotive Brake Component division, which included the Homer plant, the largest of Brembo's facilities in North America, and substantial growth in its US-based OEM business.

Noted for budget priced mini-bikes and go-karts sold through "big box" retailers in the US, MotoVox is set to start selling higher value, lower-emission super-economical small recreational vehicles through power-sports industry dealerships. Parent company APT (American Performance Technology) is said to have invested $20m at its Kansas City, Missouri facility since 2008, and hopes to score higher margins from a new improved specification, higher performance Pro-Line product range that will include a 150cc on-road production motorcycle - for which they are claiming delivery of between 100 and 150 mpg using patented "SmartCarb" technology.
 
Suzuki say that strong US sales are being driven by availability of the 2014 V-Strom 1000 ABS and 2014 Burgman 200 ABS, with April sales gains in the standard, touring motorcycle, and utility ATV categories. The company believes it is benefiting from strong race results in the US this spring.
 
American Sidi boots distributor Motonation is to sell the Sidi casual apparel range retail direct at break-even pricing in order to propagate brand ID and values. The Sidi Casuals range has never been stocked by US dealers.

Black Book editorial director Ricky Beggs has said that used motorcycle prices in the United States increased slightly from March to April, but increased significantly from April to May as auctions saw rising prices and more sales. "Prices are up across the board, and for the first time this year, by fairly large amounts for most segments." Cruisers are up 3 percent month-over-month, split almost evenly between domestic V-twins and metric units. The scooter segment is up 3.2 percent, off-road bikes are up 2.9 percent and street bikes and utility vehicles are each up 2.5 percent. 

PowerSports Business has reported that a new analysis of preliminary state data released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) suggests that US motorcyclist fatalities are projected to have decreased in 2013, for only the second year since 1997 - by a probable 7 percent.

Harley hire Jim Federico

Harley hire Jim Federico from GM

HARLEY-Davidson has hired former General Motors engineer Jim Federico as its new Vice President of Engineering. Federico had spent nearly 36 years at GM and retired as the company's Executive Director of Global Vehicle Integration in May this year.

Federico has worn many hats during his time at GM, but he has been in the news recently as GM's "champion" of an airbag failure investigation that resulted in a team of GM engineers he was appointed to discovering an ignition switch defect - a fault that has been linked to 13 deaths since 2004, and prompted the recall of more than 2.6 million Chevrolet, Saturn and Pontiac vehicles.

Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim is reported to have told a Milwaukee newspaper that Harley had been talking to Federico “for some time” before the announcement was made.

GM has said that Federico made his own decision to retire from the auto maker, and that the decision was not directly related to the switch issue. GM has recently split its engineering department into two divisions, and John Calabrese, GM Vice President of Global Vehicle Engineering, also retired during the change.

As part of his most recent role as GM’s global director of global vehicle integration, Federico was the lead engineer behind many current products including the Buick Regal/Opel Insignia, Buick Encore/Opel Mokka, Buick LaCrosse and the Chevrolet Cruze, Sonic and Spark.

Zard exhaust

Zard for Triumph Scrambler

ZARD has released Scrambler 900 exhaust options that include fitments for carburettor and fuel injected models in racing, street legal and street legal with cat versions.
There is a high fitting full kit for carburetted models, and ’08-’09 injection models in steel in racing and street legal versions. The muffler weighs just 4.4kg compared to the stock 11.6kg and comes in optional high temperature ceramic finishes (black, white or cream).

Zard claim a 2hp plus power gain with their Cross racing system kit on carb and f. i. models

Zard steel full sport carb and f. i. and removable db-killer race kits also fit the Bonneville

Low mount kit in street legal or race version

 

Scrambler high mount kit for street or race carb and f. i. models

A low mount kit in street legal (catalyser) or racing versions (for fuel injected and normally aspirated models) has optional laser customising on the muffler body.

ZARD SRL
Baldichieri d’Asti (AT), ITALY
Tel. +39 0141 659239
info@zardexhaust.com
www.zardexhaust.com

Rev'it! Sport

Modular all-year ladies outfit

THE 'Sand' ladies jacket comes fully equipped with specific CE-approved armour for women.
The robust yet very comfortable and figure-hugging outer shell features ample reflective panels and ventilation zippers that are nicely integrated into the design.
Thanks to the jacket's detachable thermal liner and separate waterproof membrane it can be used all-year round.
The adjustment straps allow for a precise fit, and as the straps are also height-adjustable, each rider can adjust it to her own requirements.
The Sand ladies trousers are equipped with knee and hip protectors, a double textile seat and laminated reflection panels. The thermal liner and waterproof membrane can be removed individually to allow the ventilation zippers to do a better job while riding in warm climates. 



REV'IT! SPORT INTERNATIONAL
Oss, THE NETHERLANDS
Tel. +31 (0)41 269 6757
info@revit.eu
www.revit.eu

Ermax

Replacement Burgman 125 screens from Ermax

 

FRENCH manufacturer Ermax has two new aftermarket screen options for the 2014 Burgman 125 from Suzuki.
At 70cm tall, the 'High Protection' screen is 7cm higher than stock and offers improved protection. It can be ordered in a choice of four colours and with 16 screen printed designs.

The Ermax 'High Protection' screen is 70cm tall and offers improved hand protection

Ermax’s Sport screen for the Burgman 125 is 50cm high and available in seven colours and 16 screen printed designs.

The Ermax Sport screen for the Burgman 125 is 50cm high and offered in a range of
colourways and screen printed designs

ERMAX
Roquefort la Bedoule, FRANCE
Tel: +33 (0)4 42 73 67 91/92
accueil@ermax.fr
www.ermax.fr

German registrations up over 13%

German motorcycle registrations up over 13% for first four months of 2014

 
For the first time since September last year, and only the eighth time since January 2012, motorcycle registrations in Germany were down in April.

At -3.76 percent (15,412 units) the variance over April 2013 (which was itself over 26 percent up on April 2012) industry analysts are saying that this is likely to be as a result of Easter timing, and that the March market in Germany included some boost as a result of changed Easter timing.

For the year to date, German motorcycle registrations are running at 13.07 percent up, on volume of 44,029 units (compared to 38,940 units for the first four months of 2013).
The picture in Germany is broadly similar for lower cc models, with total PTW registrations falling by -3.72 percent (21,175 units), but the total for the first four months of the year (59.550 units) shows the total PTW market in Germany running at 13.22 percent up.
As previously report in MotoWEEK and International Dealer News, most of Europe’s major markets have now returned to growth in both motorcycle and total PTW terms, but while growth remains low and inflation higher than ECB targets in the Euro zone, it will still take some time for the macro economic recovery to translate into stability. 

Öhlins cartridge kits

Öhlins' NIX' technology cartridge kits for adventure bikes

ÖHLINS has based its fork cartridge kits for adventure bikes on its existing ‘NIX’ cartridge technology for road bikes. 

The FKA cartridge kit features a compact design to make it easy to fit in the USD forks most adventures bikes are equipped with. Once installed the bike has a fully adjustable front end. Rebound damping is on one leg and compression within the other, with adjustable spring preload in both. Different springs are available for riders’ individual demands and there is an effective hydraulic stop inside the kit to prevent ‘bottoming’.
Robert Brinkmark, Öhlins Product Manager Motorcycles, said: “The FKA Cartridge kit is a very easy way to upgrade adventure bike suspension, offering great quality, durability and easy adjustment.

“This market has grown massively over the past decade and interest is still increasing for this segment. Here at Öhlins we also know adventure bike riders demands a lot from their bikes in general and suspension in particular, so we look forward to continued development in this area.”
The new FKA range is available for BMW F800GS ‘08-‘12 and ‘13-’14, Ducati Multistrada 1200 ‘09-’12, Triumph Tiger 800 ‘11-’14, and Triumph Tiger XC ‘11-’14 models.

ÖHLINS RACING
Upplands Vaesby, SWEDEN
Tel: +46 (0)8 590 025 00
info@ohlins.se
www.ohlins.com

Rukka Gore-Tex suit

Gore-Tex textile suit from Rukka

THIS new textile suit from Rukka combines all the ground breaking features the Finnish manufacturer is well known for.
The outer material is an elastic Gore-Tex three-layer laminate. Abrasion resistant Armacor fabric is used to reinforce it in exposed areas, and the jacket has a waterproof AquaSeal YKK front zipper - a technology that Rukka claims it is bringing into motorcycling for the first time. 

Other features include a soft Neoprene collar, a detachable neck warmer made from elastic Gore-Tex three-layer laminate and water and windproof sleeve ends with elastic cuffs and zippers.

Ventilation zippers at the shoulders, in the back and on the thighs allow entry of fresh air whenever desired. Nine pockets offer plenty of storage space, most of them being waterproof, and the upper chest pockets feature tear-proof magnetic closures.
The air-permeable Rukka D3O Air protectors at the joints and in the back combine optimum comfort with maximum protection thanks to their soft, flexible material that instantly multiplies crash damping in case of an impact.
The ‘Premium’ suit has detachable thermal linings with temperature-regulating Outlast, a long connecting zipper, numerous adjusters on the sleeves, waist and hips, and the trousers have the climate regulating Rukka AirCushion System and Antiglide-Keprotec.

L-FASHION GROUP
Lahti, FINLAND
Tel. +358 (0)3 822 111
info@rukka.com
www.rukka.com

Hyperpro FZ-09 suspension

Hyperpro FZ-09 suspension upgrades

HYPERPRO has released shock and fork upgrades for Yamaha's FZ-09.
Their 461 shock has a 45-click range of settings for rebound damping, the capability to fine-tune high- and low-speed compression damping, and a threaded preload collar.
It is also equipped with a high-performance remote reservoir and can be ordered with an optional length adjuster that will raise or lower the bike by a 1/2in.

The more economical 466 is a DeCarbon style shock with adjustable preload and rebound, with separate chambers for gas and oil to prevent cavitation in the FZ-09's near-horizontal mounting position.
Both can be fitted with convenient, hydraulically operated preload adjusters.
Hyperpro also offers rising-rate fork springs and progressively wound replacement shock springs - an alternative option to replacement of the entire shock absorber.

HYPERPRO INTERNATIONAL
Werkendam, NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 (0)183 678867
info@hyperpro.com
www.hyperpro.com

Forma touring boots

Tourers featuring 3D laminated Outdry by Forma

THE Forma range for 2014 includes four new high-end touring boots equipped with the patented 3d laminated Outdry membrane.
 

Fuji Outdry is a comfortable technical boot featuring a full-grain upper, polyurethane personalised gear pad protection, rear reflex insert, PU injection ankle protection system and padded front and rear collars.
The Outdry membrane is waterproof and breathable and 3D laminated to the upper. Other features include a Forma outsole made from double density rubber, an anti-bacterial replaceable footbed with Air Pump System (APS), plus a special Dual Flex midsole in TPU with EVA (anti-shock/anti-vibration) covering.

Fuji Outdry for short/medium distance

The other boots in the range all have the same or similar features with the Cortina Outdry also featuring internal moulded and injected TPU plastic protections in the ankle and shin area, plus memory foam padding.

Cortina Outdry for long distance riding

The La Paz Outdry is made especially for long journeys and the Aspen Outdry is said to be an extremely comfortable multi-purpose boot.

La Paz Outdry for long journeys

Aspen Outdry multi purpose

All Forma boots in the range are CE approved, designed and developed in Italy and manufactured in the European Community.

SDE MOTORSPORT
Altivole (TV), ITALY
Tel. +39 0423 915335
info@formaboots.com
www.formaboots.com

Galfer upgrades

BMW R 1200 GS and Ninja 300 brake upgrades from Galfer

SPANISH manufacturer Galfer has a range of front and rear brake components for the ’13-’14 Kawasaki Ninja 300, including brake pads, 'Wave' style rotors, and steel-braided brake lines.
Brake pads for the Ninja 300 are available in semi-metallic/organic, Sintered Advanced Ceramic, and organic/Kevlar compounds.
The Galfer Disc Wave rotors are said to maintain a cooler braking system during street and track use, offering "the best friction surface of any stainless steel rotor" for predictable, consistent braking. The rear rotor is for Ninja 300/300 SE's only, and is not compatible with ABS models.

The Galfer Disc Wave rotors are said to maintain a cooler braking system during street and track use, offering "the best friction surface of any stainless steel rotor" for predictable, consistent braking

To complete the bike’s brake upgrades Galfer is offers steel-braided brake lines, which are designed to prevent brake fade, and include pre-positioned banjo fittings.
For the BMW R 1200 GS, Galfer is offering front or front/rear combo kits that include two or three laser cut high carbon stainless steel 'Wave' rotors (which are said to be up to 30 percent lighter than stock) and matched sintered brake pads. Items can be purchased individually and are TÜV-approved.  

BMW R 1200 GS brake kits are available as front or front/rear combo packs featuring two or three TÜV-approved laser cut high carbon stainless steel 'Wave' rotors and matched sintered brake pads

INDUSTRIAS GALFER
Barcelona, SPAIN
Tel: +34 93 568 9090
info@galfer.es
www.galfer.es

SW-Motech's range for V-Strom 1000

SW-Motech's range for V-Strom 1000

 
SW-MOTECH has responded to the launch of the new Suzuki V-Strom 1000 by creating an extensive range of products for the new model.
The range includes luggage options such as the Tailbag range or Rearbag, Slipstream, Rackpack, Jetpack and other soft luggage options such as their Strap tank bag Enduro LT, Strap tank bag Enduro, and Strap tank bag ION four.

For riders looking for hard luggage there are steel or aluminium racks, Quick-Lock Evo side carriers, Aero ABS side case systems and Dakar pannier set.
For protection there is a choice of BBStorm or Kobra hand guard kits, SW-Motech crash bars, brake pump and reservoir guards and a front axle slider kit.
General accessories include a side stand foot, chain guard, mirror extenders, footrest kit, gear lever, centre stand and Quick-Lock GPS mount.

SW-MOTECH
Rauschenberg, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)6425 816800
info@sw-motech.com
www.sw-motech.com

Italian market growth

Italian market sees third month of growth

For the first time since the downturn started to bite, the Italian market has seen motorcycle sales grow for three consecutive months.

In April this year, sales were up by 8.95 percent at 20,198 units (from 18,539 units in April 2013), having been up by 28.91 percent in March this year (17,997 units compared to 13,961 in March 2013), and, as previously reported, up by 10.25 percent in February.
For the year-to-date, motorcycle sales in Italy have totalled 56,547 units (compared to 50,649 for the first four months of 2013), which puts the market up a total of 11.64 percent for the first four months of the year.

Like many others, the Italian market started to see the rate of decline in new motorcycle sales bottom out in September last year, and while the historically most important months in Italy (May, June and July) will determine whether or not the market there really has turned a corner, the March and April figures are particularly encouraging.
In 2013, sales were down by 25.5 percent for the full year, following a 19.04 percent decline in 2012. If the market continues to see an average monthly growth of around 10 percent for the remainder of the year, then Italy’s motorcycle sales will have recovered from last year’s 153,863 units to something in the region of 170,000 units.

BMW see growth

BMW continues to see double-digit growth and achieves new all-time high in April

After achieving record sales during its first quarter of 2014, BMW Motorrad says it "remains firmly on course for success" with sales in April up by 12 percent on April 2013 at 16,344 units (14,587 in April 2013).

BMW says that makes April 2014 "the most successful month ever in the history of the company. All in all, BMW Motorrad has supplied 45,063 (previous year: 39,319 units) vehicles to customers since the beginning of the year (compared to 39,319 units in the first four months of 2013), and 14.6 percent (5,744 vehicles) up for the year so far".
Heiner Faust, BMW Motorrad Head of Sales and Marketing said that "we have been able to build very successfully on the momentum of an excellent season start. We have seen double-digit growth every month since the start of the year. Sales results in April even surpassed the existing record of March this year, making it the best month ever for BMW Motorrad".

BMW expect their records sales performance for the year so far to be boosted further from May onwards as the new C evolution electric maxi scooter hits showrooms

The company went on to say that "this has been achieved on the basis of ongoing stable market developments worldwide. In Europe (not including Germany) BMW Motorrad had supplied 2,841 vehicles more as of April than in the first four months of the previous year. In Germany, sales are 672 units above the previous year's level. BMW Motorrad is also seeing impressive growth in the USA and Asia".

The new R 1200 GS remains the top-selling model with 9,826 units sold. The new R 1200 GS Adventure (5,440 units as of April), the new R 1200 RT (3,760 units as of April) and the newcomers in the BMW model programme R nineT (2,024 units as of April) and S 1000 R (1,679 as of April) are also seeing "very strong demand", according to the company. 
Heiner Faust went on to say that "the excellent sales results mean we are very confident in terms of how the season will develop. Demand for our newly launched Boxer and S series models is especially pleasing. We have started supplying the BMW C evolution this month (from May 2nd 2014) and after initial test rides, the world's first electrically powered maxi scooter in the premium segment has received excellent reviews from the media - we are very much looking forward to the response of our customers in Europe".

Spanish market stats

Spanish market continues upward trend

Spanish motorcycle trade association ANESDOR has released motorcycle and moped registration data for April this year that shows the growth trend in Spain first seen late last year continuing.

Motorcycle registrations in Spain in April were up by 17.8 percent (9,807 units) from 8,337 in April 2013, with year-to-date market performance up 22.4 percent at 30,257 units from the 24,790 seen for the first four months of 2013.

While the (surprisingly) small moped market in Spain remains sluggish (-6.1 percent for the first four months of this year at 3,758 units) the total PTW registration figures reflect the strength of motorcycle sales with April being 12.9 percent up on April of 2013 (at 10,765 units) and the year-to-date being up 18.4 percent at 34,208 units (compared to 28,898 for the first four months of 2013).
Jose Maria Riano, Secretary General of ANESDOR, said that “the motorcycle market continued to improve in April, and the main reason is the improved economic situation, but better weather so far this year has also played a part.

“ANESDOR also believes that the time, cost and emissions savings offered by PTWs as a favourable urban transport solution are positive messages that are gaining increasing recognition with consumers in Spain, and as a trade association we plan to market these advantages heavily in the coming months”.
Illustrate with Jose Maria Riano captioned: Jose Maria Riano, Secretary General of ANESDOR said that “the motorcycle market continued to improve in April, and the main reason is the improved economic situation”