Spanish luggage manufacturer SHAD was awarded the new International German Design Award 2017 for its SH36 cases in recognition of their “innovative design”. The accolade follows the International Red Dot award received for the design in 2015.
Honda is starting a joint venture with Hitachi Automotive Systems to produce motors for electric vehicles. A “memorandum of understanding” was signed between the two Japanese giants in February for a Hitachinaka City (Ibaraki) based enterprise that will be jointly capitalised to the tune of an initial 5 billion yen (approx. 40 euro). It is reported that the new company will have sales and production subsidiaries in China and the United States.
Spanish EV manufacturer Torrot (owner of Gas Gas) leads sales in the Spanish 2-wheel electric sector for January. The new Torrot Muvi urban electric bikes are boosting sales for the company, with the Muvi City version heading sales with 56 units sold in January, out of a market total of 268 units of all brands sold.
BMW Motorrad says it has had a good start to 2017 globally, with a total of 7,503 motorcycles and maxi-scooters delivered to customers in January, an increase of 0.2% on the same month last year.
Award-winning air filter manufacturer Twin Air is to support Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for the next three years in an extension of a partnership that has seen them being the official provider of air filter and performance accessories to the majority of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teams. Founded in 1972, the Dutch company was the first to introduce the washable and reusable dual-foam laminated air filter.
2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes (making his Norton TT debut) and fellow Australian David 'Davo' Johnson (seventh place in last year's Superbike TT) will ride the IOM for Norton in June on a race version of the recently launched V4 SS road bike in the Senior and Superbike TT races. Both riders will compete on the all-new SG6, derived from the recently launched V4 SS road bike.
