Best known in Europe for its partnership with KTM, and a possible re-finance candidate for the Austrian manufacturer, Bajaj Auto is also in a partnership with Triumph Motorcycles. The Indian conglomerate reports that it has sold around 40,000 Triumph 400s in India in 2024 and 64,886 KTMs. That is out of a total of 2,121,491 unit sales in India, and a worldwide YTD total of 3,598,829 units in 2024.
Based at Naples, international distributor Omnia Racing in Italy ("Special parts for special people") has asked us to remind dealers throughout Europe that they have several product lines and brands that they sell Europe-wide. The company's website details all the brands they represent, and a fine, 'boutique' selection it is too -including Rizoma, Zard, LeoVince, Brembo, Marchesini, Ohlins, D.I.D, GIVI, Andreani and more; www.omniaracing.it
Yamaha Motor Europe has invested in French electric trials and off-road motorcycle manufacturer Electric Motion. Founded in 2009 near Montpellier by CEO Philippe Aresten, the 'EM' brand has sold more than 6,000 units, 80% exported to some 40 countries. "Among other events, 'EM' products has achieved spectacular results in the Trial World Championship and the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup - the world's premier electric off-road motorcycle racing series"; www.em-motorcycles.com
The Quebec based owner of CanAm and Swiss engine manufacturer Rotax - BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) - has seen its balance sheet come under extreme pressure this past year - largely due to declines in recreational marine, snowmobile (Ski-Doo), PWC (Sea-Doo), ATV and UTV (SxS) vehicle sales in USA. Having tried to match its competitor Polaris Industries with an ambitious expansion programme to establish itself as a leader in the recreational marine sector, it has now announced a volte face, stating that it has started the sales process for its entire recreational boats division (assuming a viable buyer can be found). The brands concerned include Alumacraft, Telwater and Malibou. BRP closed down its Evinrude outboard motor manufacturing business some six years ago.
When Ducati secured the WorldSBK Manufacturer's title at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, in October, it secured the 20th Manufacturer's WorldSBK title in its history, and the third consecutive won with the Panigale V4 R - confirming its status as the most successful manufacturer in the history of WorldSBK. In fact, since the first edition in 1988, more than half of the Superbike World Championships manufacturer's titles (20 out of 37) have been won by Ducati riders. 2025 will see the debut of another iconic Italian brand, as the newly branded BbKRT Bimota KB998 team makes its 'powered by Kawasaki' debut.
Hoya, north Germany based wholesaler Hartje welcomed dealers to its 38th AutoMoto Show on the weekend of October 26 and 27, with the number of trade visitors registering in advance almost doubling compared to 2023. A total of 100 exhibitors exhibited in 7,500 sq m of indoor space. Jens Engelking, Head of the AutoMoto division said: "2024 will go down in the history books of Hermann Hartje KG as a milestone with synergies and efficiencies embraced as a result of the merger of our automotive and motorcycle division warehouses." European Master-Distributor Bergamaschi announced at EICMA that Hartje had added the motorcycle aftermarket products range from Magneti Marelli; www.hartje.de
Best known in the motorcycle market for the Dguard e-emergency call system and the Tilsberk heads-up display system, Digades GmbH (Zittau, Germany) is insolvent. The management of the Saxon electronics specialist, led by Managing Director Sascha Berger (37), is now planning a restructuring, which will result in a third of the workforce being laid off. The company is one of the market leaders in radio remote controls for cars (auxiliary heating, keys) and other products and services relating to motorcycle safety; www.dguard.com
Founded by Simon Dabadie at Bayonne in France, boutique electric motorcycle brand DAB Motors gave a EICMA debut DAB 1α production model. Combining "French engineering and refined design", with exclusive features reserved for the first 400 units, the machines will be volume produced by majority shareholder (since late 2023) Peugeot Motorcycles; www.dabmotors.com
While the KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc. (KAMMI) factory in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines, is to continue manufacturing Philippine made KTM models, KTM Philippines, the trading front for KTM's established in-market distributor Adventure Cycle, has been closed down. The KAMMI plant will now be producing bikes for sale by new distributor Lucky MAPI, part of the Motor Ace Philippines Group, which has more than 200 branches in the Philippines and caters to a very broad customer base (from entry-level to premium).
