Polaris sales revenue up 19 percent in 2014
POLARIS Industries Inc. reported record fourth quarter sales revenue of $1,275.00 million, an increase of 18 percent over the final quarter in 2013, and full year sales revenue of $4,479.6 million, an increase of 19 percent compared to 2013.
Net income was $135.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, up 25 percent from the year-ago quarter, and $454.0 million for the full year 2014, up 19 percent.
Fourth quarter net income was a record $1.98 per diluted share for the quarter, and a record $6.65 per diluted share (up 23 percent) per diluted share for their full January -December 2014 financial year.
Polaris’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Wine commented that “2014 marks our fifth consecutive year of double digit sales and earnings growth, an accomplishment which testifies to the innovative spirit and dedication of the 8,000 member global Polaris team.
"During the year, we added over thirty new vehicles to the Polaris armada, expanding and strengthening our portfolio with our largest ever new product introduction, while our strategic acquisitions and significant investments in our global manufacturing infrastructure allow us to both create and meet the increasing demand for our products.”
The company says that fourth quarter off-road vehicle sales increased 19%, while motorcycle sales (Victory and Indian) increased 50%, with PG&A sales up 21% - North American retail sales remained strong for the Medina, Minnesota headquartered manufacturer, increasing 13% in the fourth quarter compared to 2013.
www.polaris.com
UK motorcycle market +12.3 percent in 2014
The latest data released by the British motorcycle industry trade association (the MCIA) shows the UK motorcycle market up by +12.3 percent for December last year (3,984 units) and +11.7 percent for 2014 at 90,6734 units (compared to 81,180 units in 2013).
This was the fifth year that motorcycle sales were up in the UK since the 94,929 units sold in 2009.
In total PTW terms, the UK was +10.2 percent in 2014 at 101,277 units - also its best year since 2009 (111,510 units).
The fastest growing sectors in the UK in 2014 were the 651-1000cc market, at +18.3 percent, and the 1,000cc+ market at +13.7 percent.
Speaking about the year ahead, UK motorcycle industry association Managing Director Steve Kenwood said: “We estimate that around 110,000 units will be sold in the UK during 2015, which is a similar growth rate to the one we enjoyed in 2014, some +10%.
“We see the long-term trend for motorcycle use in the UK rising steadily. The latest update to figures from the Government here in the UK shows that the number of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds on the road [the total 'bike park' in the UK] is at its highest for five years (1.2m PTWs), with twice as many on the road as there were in 1994."
However, not all the trend data for the UK is positive yet. The latest available data for the total distance travelled by motorcycles in the UK (2012) shows it at 4.6 billion km compared to 5.1 billion km in 2009, and the number of motorcycle test passes are put at 45,000 for 2012/13 compared to 70,000 for 2008/09. It is hoped that the 'bike park' and distance ridden figures will start to rise once the increases in new model registrations start to trickle down, but the issue of new rider access is as much of a worry in the UK as it is elsewhere.
In other UK market news, the MCIA's annual "Motorcycle Live" expo at the UK's NEC (National Exhibition Centre) near Birmingham in November saw attendance up by 10 percent compared to 2013.
The MCIA has also announced that the show date for 2015 will be one week later in the calendar than usual, from 28th November to 6th December.
This is due to the one week later date being used for the 'Milan' Show this year (EICMA), which has been delayed because Milan is staging Expo 2015 from May 1st to October 31st - the latest International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) sanctioned "Universal Exhibition" (aka World Trade Fair).
The last such 'Expo' was held at Shanghai in 2010; after Milan in 2015 the next city to host it will be Dubai in 2020.
Expo 2015 will use the full 200 acre site of the 10 year old award-winning Massimiliano Fuskas designed Fiera Milano Rho exhibition centre, where EICMA is staged. Some 140 plus countries are set to exhibit, and over 20m visitors are expected during the 6 months the event is open to the public.
Rather more visitors than attend either Motorcycle Live or EICMA, but given the macro- economic roller coaster that the motorcycle industry has endured in the past decade, both the MCIA and ANCMA have every reason to be pleased with their most recent show attendances!
www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
Hero announces highest ever sales
Formerly Hero Honda, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. of New Delhi, India, has announced record calendar year sales for 2014.
The company says that it sold 6.64 million units in 2014, which was 8 percent up over 2013, and consolidates the business as the world's largest powered two-wheeler manufacturer.
With sales running at some 400,000 and up for the first nine months of its April 2014 to March 2015 financial year, it looks like the company will also post record sales numbers and revenues for its current financial year.
The company started as a joint venture between Honda and Hero Cycles in 1984 and bought Honda's shareholding in 2010 when the Japanese manufacturer decided to withdraw from the venture, becoming Hero MotoCorp in 2011.
"Hero" was the brand name chosen by the Munjal brothers for their company when they first started Hero Cycles in 1956.
In 2013, the company embarked on an ambitious international expansion plan by taking a 49.2 percent shareholding in Erik Buell Racing of East Troy, Wisconsin - the racebike and sportsbike manufacturing business started by chassis engineer Erik Buell when Harley-Davidson decided to close down their Buell Motorcycles subsidiary in 2009.
As part of their long-term plans for the EBR Motorcycles collaboration, Team Hero EBR announced that it is continuing with its involvement in racing with a two-rider team running the EBR 1190 RX in the World Superbike Championship in 2015.
The race team is based in Italy, with EBR's European streetbike distribution facility headed up by former Zero Motorcycles and Triumph man Edwin Belonje at Alkmaar in the Netherlands.
Last year Hero launched in several international markets including Turkey, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Ethiopia and most recently Columbia, where the company has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary and commenced construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
In one of the biggest brand endorsements by any Indian company, last year also saw Hero hire 14-times major champion golfer Tiger Woods as its first Global Corporate Partner.
www.heromotocorp.com
BMW Motorrad - record sales in 2014
BMW Motorrad has announced that its sales for 2014 were up over 2013, giving it a record sales performance for the fourth consecutive year.
With 123,495 vehicles sold, sales were up by 7.2 percent - and their trend of strong growth looks set to continue as December saw deliveries up by 10.9 percent (7,032 units).
Germany continues to be BMW's most successful market with 21,714 vehicles sold, which is approximately 20% of production; it was the market leader in Germany with over 25 percent market share.
The United States was its second strongest market with 15,301 vehicles sold; France is its third largest market (11,600 units) and Italy its fourth (10,487 units).
Brazil has continued to grow strongly for BMW, with sales there now at 7,603. BMW say they are also market leaders in Italy and Spain, as well as in their home market.
The most popular BMW Motorrad model with over 40,000 units sold was the R 1200 GS (24,380), together with its sister model R 1200 GS Adventure (16,242). The BMW R 1200 RT takes third place with 12,140 units sold. The R nine T sold well, and in its first year of sales 8,488 units were delivered worldwide, making it the fourth most successful model. With more than 10,000 units sold, the S 1000 R and the S 1000 RR also sold well. The middle range models F 800 GS/GS Adventure (7,040/4,278 units) and F 700 GS (6,499 units) as well as the F 800 R (3,953 units) and F 800 GT (3,901 units) also remain popular. The Maxi Scooters C 650 GT and C 600 Sport (6,391 units) were also well received.
Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad, said: "We can look back on a successful year. For the first time in company history, BMW Motorrad sold more than 120,000 vehicles. This is an increase of 7.2 percent compared to the already outstanding result of the previous year and is the fourth year of record sales in a row. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our customers for the trust they have placed in BMW Motorrad".
In 2014 BMW launched five new models worldwide, making a major contribution towards achieving positive sales numbers. The company says "with the R nine T we seem to have our finger firmly on the pulse of many BMW Motorrad fans. It got off to a phenomenal start and leapt to fourth place in our bestseller ranking right from the start. This success exceeded our own expectations".
BMW Motorrad also ushers in a whole new era in the area of urban mobility with the BMW C evolution. This "builds on the experience and innovations of the BMW Group and represents an integral part of our sustainability strategy. Almost 550 units have been sold since last May. The good level of acceptance by our customers shows that we have chosen the right approach with this first step towards electric mobility", says Schaller.
www.bmw-motorrad.com
New parts from Gilles Tooling
GILLES Tooling has released a selection of new products, which includes a version of its handlebar system for the Yamaha MT-07. The adjustable 2D.GT handlebar risers can be used to adjust both the handlebar’s height and reach. In addition the original 22mm handlebar can be replaced by a stiffer 28.6mm handlebar, such as Gilles’ own GTO handlebar.
Included in the kit, and also available separately, is a new speedometer holder. It is available in a choice of black or gold, and is particularly suitable for users of tank bags who need a clearer view of the speedo.
New product releases from Gilles Tooling include a selection of parts for BMW’s R 1200 GS. The RCT shift/brake lever kit features adjustable toe pieces for riders to find the optimum position, along with adjustable footrests. The levers are anodised to match the BMW HP parts footrests.
A second new option from Gilles Tooling for the R 1200 GS is the 1D.GT handlebar riser kit. Like the shift/brake levers, the risers are anodised to match BMW HP parts, and are adjustable for two positions.
GILLES TOOLING GMBH
Wecker, LUXEMBOURG
Tel: +352 267 893 1
info@gillestooling.com
www.gillestooling.com
Nolan adds WSBK to Moto GP helmet contract
NOLAN used the Paddock Show at Magny-Cours during the penultimate race of the 2014 Superbike World Championship to launch its new X-802R Ultra Carbon Superbike official helmet.
Alberto Vergani, Nolan’s President, said: “We are pleased to announce an agreement with Dorna for the Superbike helmet licence, which will complement our MotoGP licence. The Nolan Group is the only company in the world to have both helmet licences in the two biggest World Championships: modified production and prototypes.
“Our helmets have been designed and produced 100 percent in Italy for 42 years and are sold in 72 countries worldwide. This latest development cements our participation in Superbike with 18 sponsored riders, led by Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies, representing both Nolan and X lite.”
The X-802R Ultra Carbon uses a shell that is ultralight and high in carbon fibre, with an adjustable aerodynamic spoiler integrated at the rear of the shell. The product of extensive wind tunnel testing and racetrack experience, it is said to "optimise the helmet's aerodynamics during riding, improving stability at high speeds and helping vent hot air from the interior through outlet vents integrated directly in the spoiler.
"Its profile, and thus its aerodynamic performance, can be adjusted to one of two available configurations to better suit different riding positions and styles".
The X-802R features a removable inner Unitherm padding and different thickness removable cheek pads in Steadyfit configuration.
The large visor is supplied ready for a Pinlock inner fog-resistant visor (supplied), and is held in place by Nolan’s Dual Action system, a lightweight, reliable device for tool-free quick release. A 4mm window trim adjustment locks the visor and allows it to defog when opened slightly at low speeds or at rest.
Also seen here, Nolan has reworked its X-lite X-551 to create the new X-551 GT (Gran Turismo). This latest version has been designed for off-road or Motard Enduro riding.
In three different outer composite fibre shell sizes, it can be used as a complete helmet or without the peak or visor.
The inner shell is made in six steps and features removable and washable padding in three different thicknesses. A wide air intake at the chin helps prevent fogging, while a front air intake and two upper air intakes and rear extractor ensure a constant flow of air through the helmet.
The visor is Pinlock-ready, but there is also a secondary integrated VPS (Vision Protection System) flip-down tinted visor.
NOLAN GROUP
Brembate di Sopra (BG), ITALY
Tel: +39 035 602111
info@nolan.it
www.nolan.it
Jaguar Land Rover 'Bike Sense' system will detect motorcycles
UK based car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is developing a range of new technologies that would use colours, sounds and touch, inside the car, to alert drivers to potential hazards and prevent accidents involving bicycles and motorbikes.
Sensors on the car will detect when another road user is approaching and identify it as bicycle or motorbike. Bike Sense will then make the driver aware of the potential hazard before the driver sees it.
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But rather than using a generic warning icon or sound, which takes time for the driver's brain to process, Bike Sense uses lights and sounds that the driver will instinctively associate with the potential danger.
To help the driver understand where the bike is in relation to their car, the audio system will make it sound as if a bicycle bell or motorbike horn is coming through the speaker nearest the bike, so the driver immediately understands the direction the cyclist is coming from.
If a bicycle or motorbike is coming up the road behind the car, Bike Sense will detect if it is overtaking or coming past the vehicle on the inside, and the top of the car seat will extend to 'tap' the driver on the left or right shoulder. The idea is that the driver will then instinctively look over that shoulder to identify the potential hazard.
As the cyclist or rider gets closer to the car, a matrix of LED lights on the window sills, dashboard and windscreen pillars will glow amber and then red as the bike approaches. The movement of these red and amber lights across these surfaces will also highlight the direction the bike is taking.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology, Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Human beings have developed an instinctive awareness of danger over thousands of years. Certain colours like red and yellow will trigger an immediate response, while everyone recognises the sound of a bicycle bell.
"Bike Sense takes us beyond the current technologies of hazard indicators and icons in wing mirrors, to optimising the location of light, sound and touch to enhance this intuition. This creates warnings that allow a faster cognitive reaction as they engage the brain's instinctive responses. If you see the dashboard glowing red in your peripheral vision, you will be drawn to it and understand straight away that another road user is approaching that part of your vehicle".
