Piaggio sold 312,200 two-wheelers worldwide through September 2018, an improvement of +4.3%, generating net sales of €772.3 m. Worldwide Vespa shipments were +14%, claiming a market leading 25.4% share of the European scooter market. Aprilia shipments were +13.2%. Sales volumes were +27.1% in India, +7.5% in Asia Pacific.
The MIC owned AIMExpo (October, Las Vegas) is said to have been visited by “a record number of trade attendees” - more than 7,000 dealers, media members, industry personnel and exhibitor attendees, resulting in an impressive 12% increase over the 2017 Columbus, Ohio event. More than 2,500 dealers made the trip to Las Vegas, with representation from all 50 states and more than 50 different countries; the organisers say the show had 505 exhibiting companies. The show returns to Columbus in 2019 (September 26-29).
Yamaha is to exhibit five new models, including four new concepts (among them the Tritown Leaning Multi Wheeler/LMW) at CES 2019 at Las Vegas in January, the world’s largest consumer electronics show. The Niken LMW will also been seen, along with their Public Personal Mobility (PPM) concept – a people service system based on low-speed autonomous driving.
Hertz Ride, expert in motorcycle rentals and tours, has announced an exclusive partnership with Cardo Systems, the “global market leader in wireless communication systems” for motorcyclists, making Cardo its official communication system. The partnership will debut at select Hertz Ride locations throughout Europe and presents two-wheel renters “with an incredible opportunity for a greater connection to their riding group, mobile device, GPS and music”.
Company President Ruggeromassimo Jannuzzelli’s holding company Autjann Srl has sold 100% of the share capital in Italian motorcycle brand Moto Morini to the Zhongneng Vehicle Group. The Jannuzzelli family took over ownership in 2015 and moved Moto Morini from Bologna Trivolzio, south of Milan, to a 3,500 sq m facility. Each Morini is assembled by hand, starting with its engine - each model is built on request. Zhongneng is based in South West China and produces some 500,000 small cc scooters annually and makes engines for other manufacturers and its own Zhen Motor brand. Founder and President Chen Huanneng says he has “great plans” for the brand and that “it will remain on Italian soil”.
The new Michelin ‘Anakee Adventure’ has been type-approved for the R 1250 GS and will be on sale in January as an addition to Michelin’s ‘Trail’ range. Said to have exceptional grip on wet roads, which is due to a new generation silica-enhanced compound, it is also claimed to combine “outstanding performance in dry weather with stability and resistance to wear” as a result of Michelin’s Dual Compound 2CT/2CT+ technologies.
Kymco has announced its official entry into India with its “game-changing” Ionex electric scooter total solution. In partnership with Twenty Two Motors, an Indian company that focuses on developing advanced connected electric vehicles, Kymco says it is “set to revolutionise the two-wheeler sector in India by bringing the new era of electric scooters and building the open energy platforms long awaited by Indian customers”. India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world. The Indian government is actively promoting the use of electric vehicles and the establishment of EV infrastructure.
