British importer Vmoto UK, the distributor of Super Soco - the bestselling brand of electric bikes in the UK - went into administration in February. The Vmoto Soco Group has bought up the business and key assets and will continue the business as Vmoto Soco UK. Vmoto Soco Group Managing Director Charles Chen is quoted as saying that "this is a strategic acquisition that will provide Vmoto with direct access to more than 50 active B2C dealers in the UK." (BDN)
Athena has renewed its collaboration with MXGP and is running its "Best Rider of the Year" contest for a third consecutive season. "Athena has partnered with MXGP for many years, displaying the Athena and GET logos alongside the track at MXGP events. The contest gives motocross fans the power to award the best rider of each Grand Prix. The athlete who is voted the most throughout the season will ultimately receive the final prize and become the 'Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena' at the end of the year". Last year's winner was Tim Gajser, champion with the HRC team. As usual, some of the best MXGP and MX2 teams and riders will use GET's Electronic Engine Units (ECUs) and other accessories during the season, including Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team's Maxime Renaux as well as F&H Kawasaki Racing Team, JM Honda Racing and Fantic Factory Team Maddii, among others. Athena will also provide a GET rpm dash with launch control system to MRT Racing Team BETA with Alessandro Lupino and Ben Watson, as well as Standing Construct Honda MXGP riders Pauls Jonass and Brian Bogers.
BMW parts and accessory specialist Wunderlich has been voted as 'Best Brand' in the accessories and conversions category by the readers of Motorrad magazine in Germany.
Hoya, Germany based distributor Hartje has added a large part of the Dunlop motorcycle and scooter tyre range to its fast-growing portfolio.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has been reconfirmed as President of Motor Valley Development for a further two-year term. MVD is the association that brings together all the two and four-wheeled brands of the Emilia Romagna region. The sector boasts some 16,500 two and four-wheel related businesses in the area, employing some 90,000 people with an annual turnover of € 16bn, generating € 7bn of exports for the Italian economy.
Suzuki has withdrawn from the British Superbike Championship ahead of the 2023 season. Aligning with its global racing strategy - which saw the termination of its MotoGP project as well as a scaling back of factory support in the Endurance World Championship - and following the departure of the current GSX-R1000R model from European markets - Suzuki has suspended its official involvement in the premier domestic Superbike series.
Triumph Motorcycles - has added no less than six new dealers in Germany - at Wuppertal, Heroldstatt, Birkenfeld, Oberhausen, Munich and Bremen - and three in Austria - Vienna, Haid and Wiener Neustadt.
British crash protection specialist R&G has partnered with the new BMW F900 R Cup, where it will be the sole protection equipment supplier and also sponsor the Challenger Series. The one-make series of races replaces the Ducati Tri-Options Championship and will run alongside the BSB programme and nine UK circuits. (BDN)
Ideanomics owned Energica has announced that its Energica Inside division has entered two separate partnerships - with French consultant Phenix Air Corp and Czech manufacturer Pure Flight - to develop all-electric solutions for ultra-light and light aircraft.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
