Save-the-Date: Emboldened by what it sees as a successful start to the radically reimagined INTERMOT Expo at Cologne, Germany, organiser Koelnmesse (the Cologne Exhibition Centre) has moved to confirm its 2025 date - 4-7 December. The move from October to pre-Christmas was bold, but the change to an annual frequency was some 20 years too late. Some industry observers had been calling on the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany (IVM, the show owner) to take the event annual ever since EICMA (The 'Milan' Show) broke the established biennial cycle (and broke its agreements with the IVM) and itself became an annual expo; www.intermot-cologne.com
Long established British shock absorber manufacturer Hagon Products (founded in 1958) has announced that it is looking to add select additional importer/distributors and dealers to its worldwide network; www.hagon-shocks.co.uk
Save-the-Date: German Electric Motorcycle Festival Reload Land has a new venue for its June 7-8, 2025, event - The Napoleon Komplex in Berlin; www.reload.land
Piaggio saw total FY2024 (the period to December 31, 2024) group-wide consolidated sales revenue fall by -14.3%, with global PTW unit sales down by a massive 17.5% at 359,000 units (down from 436,300 units in 2023) generating net sales of € 1,298.3m. Asia Pacific region sales were hit hardest (-38.8%) as a result in a sharp decline in demand for premium products in China and Thailand. Demand for the Aprilia RS 457 helped push sales revenue up in India by +10.7%. In the scooter segment, Piaggio says it recaptured the leadership of the European market with a 21.4% share; its share of the North American market reached 28.1%.
In USA, the change to production models only in the American Flat Track race series has been controversial. Among the casualties, Indian Motorcycle withdrew its pivotal backing from the AFT Racing Championship that it had dominated with its FTR750 race bike in recent years. Part of the fall-out from that rule change has been the cancellation of the 1,200 cc FTR street model - one of its most popular bikes in Europe.
Having collapsed into bankruptcy liquidation in October 2024, the assets of failed Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer Energica have so far failed to find a buyer. At the auction at the Court in Medina a first-round base price of € 5.7m with a minimum bid of € 4.274m ended without bids on January 30, 2025. A second round with a reduced base price of € 4.275m, and minimum bid in the region of € 3.2m also ended without bids, on March 20, 2025. Expect a third round to be staged soon with an even further reduced asking price. The sale includes all unsold built and part-built bikes and parts inventory, equipment, tooling, Intellectual Property and much more besides.
Triumph has announced that it will 'sweeten the pot' for the top fundraiser at this year's global Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR - May 18) men's health fundraiser with the award of a Triumph Scrambler 1200 Icon Edition. The second two top fundraisers and the Gentlefolk Prize winner will each be rewarded with a Triumph Modern Classic of their choice. Additionally, a limited-edition clothing collection featuring both the DGR and Triumph brands has been launched to support this year's ride with 15% of every sale donated to DGR, supporting 'Movember'; www.gentlemansride.com
