Piaggio report sales and profits up for first half of 2016
Announcing its results for the first six months of 2016, the Piaggio Group says it has reconfirmed its leadership in the European two-wheeler market with a 14.8% overall share and a 26% share of the scooter market (more than 12 percentage points ahead of their nearest European competitor).
In the first half to 30 June 2016, the Group sold 182,100 two-wheelers worldwide (up by +3.6% from 175,700 in the year-earlier period), generating net sales of 507.4 million euro, an improvement of +2.2% from 496.3 million euro in the first half of 2015. The figure includes spares and accessories and sales of the Piaggio Wi-Bike pedal-assisted bicycle, which had a positive impact on net sales.
The Group says it also maintained a particularly strong positioning on the North American scooter market, with a share of 19.1%.
The Vespa brand strengthened its presence on the European market, with revenues up by +4.7%. Performance was also strong in Group motorcycles, with an increase of more than +8% in Moto Guzzi sales, in particular thanks to the new V9 Roamer and Bobber, while for the Aprilia brand important growth was reported by the Supersport models in the Tuono V4 line, where sales rose by +55%.
Piaggio says it saw an improvement in all its main indicators compared with the first half of 2015. Group consolidated net sales in the first half of 2016 totalled 706.5 million euro, an improvement of +1.8% (+3.8% at constant exchange rates) from 693.9 million euro at 30 June 2015.
Turnover in the two-wheeler sector was 507.4 million euro, an increase of +2.2% from 496.3 million euro in the first half of 2015.
Operating expense in the first half of 2016 was 168.6 million euro (161.5 million euro in the year-earlier period). The increase stemmed in part from the rise in amortisation and depreciation included in operating expense (35 million euro in H1 2016, compared with 32.3 million euro in the year-earlier period).
At 30 June 2016, the Piaggio Group posted profit before tax of 30 million euro, up +21.9%, compared with 24.6 million euro in the year-earlier period. Income tax for the period was 12 million euro, with an impact on pre-tax profit of 40%.
KTM becomes 17th different OEM participant for AIMExpo 2016
The American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) has announced that KTM North America is the newest addition to an expansive OEM line-up for the 2016 event. KTM will make its AIMExpo debut this October 13-16 from the North Hall of Orlando’s, Florida, Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), showcasing a brand new exhibit space in addition to its new product line-up.
KTM becomes the 17th different OEM to invest in the AIMExpo platform, leveraging the multi-faceted show experience that will allow the brand to engage with the trade, media and consumer segments of the marketplace.
“KTM’s commitment to the enthusiast experience has spread from their early years as an off-road only brand to producing highly capable machines that resonate with both street and off road riders. The ability to showcase a comprehensive product line-up to every aspect of the marketplace, most notably dealers and consumers, provides an unparalleled stage for KTM to continue building its presence in the U.S.”, said Larry Little, Vice President and General Manager of AIMExpo. “We welcome the color orange to Orlando in October”!
"AIMExpo has been growing each year, and we are very excited to be a part of the industry event for 2016”, said John Hinz, Managing Director of KTM North America, Inc. “We will be debuting a brand new booth design that perfectly showcases our 'READY TO RACE' brand and expanding line-up of street motorcycles, along with our KTM PowerParts and KTM PowerWear. AIMExpo provides a unique venue and opportunity to connect with our dealers and our customers”.
Nearly 400 exhibitors have already committed to showcasing the latest that the powersports industry has to offer at AIMExpo. In addition to new product launches, the latest innovations being showcased on the show floor, and an expansive demo space outdoors, AIMExpo attendees will have the opportunity to connect with others throughout the industry at numerous networking events, while dealer attendees can take advantage of the unparalleled curriculum of the Powersports DEALER Seminars presented by Powersports Business during the two trade days of AIMExpo, October 13 & 14.
www.aimexpousa.com
Polish registrations still down for the year so far, but up in June
According to the latest statistics released by the motorcycle industry trade association in Poland (PZPM), the number of new motorcycles registered there in June was up by +4.23 percent at 3,077 units, but remains down by -4.25 percent for the first six months of the year so far at 13,237 units.
This is still the best June market performance in Poland since before 2006, and excepting for last year, the best first six months the Polish new motorcycle market has seen, with sales now rapidly catching up on the levels seen in 2016, further confirming the long-term trend there towards more expensive, higher displacement (and new) machines. Total PTW sales were essentially flat in June at 6,664 units (+0.77 percent) and are -13.45 units YTD (25,738 units) though, again, the rate of market decline continues to slow.
However, that is only part of the story where the Polish market is concerned. Poland is an important market for used vehicles – the number of used motorcycles imported into Poland and registered there for the first time was up by +2.35 percent (7,357 units) in June, with the rate of market decline slowing to -2.99 percent (34,745 units) for the year-to-date.
Used mopeds were also down in June and YTD in Poland (-20.67 percent YTD), making the total of used PTWs (mopeds and motorcycles) receiving a first registration there -5.84 percent YTD (40,209 units). The combined total of new and used motorcycles sold in Poland in June was 10,434 (+2.90 percent) and just -3.34 percent now for the YTD (47,982 units), with the total number of new and used PTWs recovering at -8.97 percent for the first six months of 2016 at 65,947 units.
Although comparisons with Europe's other major markets are not precise, as this is the only market where imported used vehicles are recorded in such numbers, they are units that are being registered in Poland for the first time (rather than domestic re-sale units), so on this basis 125,455 units registered there in 2015 made Poland Europe's 5th largest total PTW market behind France, Italy, Germany and Spain, when these Polish trade association statistics are compared to ACEM's reporting for new units in the EU.
www.pzpm.org.pl
Martini Vulcan 70 limited edition kit
In the 1970s Kawasaki’s ‘Mach’ series were among the models that defined a decade that now, nearly 50 years on, is inspiring nostalgia, affection and the contemporary popularity of so-called ‘Retro design’, especially among custom bike builders.
A new project by Italian customiser Nicholas Martini is just such a case in point – one that mixes contemporary design values with adherence to the original concept in equal measure.
His limited edition Vulcan 70 has been inspired by those legendary Kawasaki motorcycles of the seventies, in particular the Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III, in the form of a make-over kit for the Kawasaki Vulcan S.
Martini wanted to “translate the concept of custom and cruiser to a cafe racer look without changing the technical aspects of the bike”.
“The dual seat, the long tail, the twin exhaust and round headlight were the first details that inspired me,” says Nicholas Martini. “The concept appealed to Kawasaki Italy, and they helped me with this project, making a limited number of 100 of these kits available through official Kawasaki dealers in Italy.”
Sergio Vicarelli of Kawasaki Motors Italy commented: “The hardest part in the creation of a “new edition” of an iconic product lies in the capacity to embody all the hallmarks of a distinctive design. Nicholas successfully selected just a few essential elements of design and transferred this feeling to a popular current Kawasaki model.”
Kappa KV9 demi-jet
The Kappa KV9 is a two-version, visor-less open face helmet with a retention strap for goggles.
The KV9 'Varadero' has a metal flake shell finish and comes in gold, black and 'bordeaux', all matching a black inner lining; the 'Classic' has a modern graphic design - a black wavy swathe horizontally crossing the green, opaque yellow or shiny red shell.
Made in techno-polymer and weighing just 900 grams, it features a non-allergenic and removable lining and quick release/micro-adjustable ratchet strap. Kappa also offers a range of goggles suitable for this helmet with either "Total Black" or "Chrome" outer rims.
KAPPA S.r.l.
www.kappamoto.com
‘Stina’ ladies textile suit and ‘Stan’ membrane jackets
The new ‘Stina’ suit from Sinisalo is said to have “everything that demanding female riders expect from functional riding apparel: chic, safety and a perfect fit”.
The outer shell of the jacket and trousers is made out of tear and abrasion resistant 450D polyester fabric, with extra 900D fabric reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and knees. Beneath that is a waterproof and breathable Z-liner membrane with taped seams and skin-friendly lining. A removable, 60g thermal lining keeps the rider warm, while ventilation zippers on the sides of the jacket and the thighs provide cooling.
The jacket also has a soft, skin-friendly Neoprene collar as well as a crotch strap, and a long zipper for joining the trousers, which also have removable braces. Width adjusters on the upper arms, legs and cuffs and on the waist of the jacket and trousers ensure a good fit, and a total of five pockets offer plenty of storage space. Shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are equipped with CE-approved protectors; a protector pocket is provided on the back.
Sinisalo say that 2016 will see them add more top quality “Street Culture” products to their programme, but among the first are these membrane equipped ‘Stan’ “Rate” and “Racy” line jackets and “Rate” pants.
The outer material is tear and abrasion-resistant 450D polyester fabric, reinforced with 900D thread on shoulders, elbows and knees. Under that is a Z-liner membrane and a skin-friendly mesh lining. A removable 60g thermal lining gives comfortable warmth when needed, while four air vents at the shoulders and at the sides provide cooling when required.
The jacket offers a comfortable Neoprene collar, four pockets outside, one inside, a crotch strap and connecting zipper for the “Rate” pants. Additional features include adjustable upper arm snaps and hem and cuff straps, reflective details on the front, back and sleeves, which ensure visibility, proven, CE-tested RVP Air protectors at the shoulders and elbows and a protector pocket on the back
SINISALO SPORT
www.sinisalo.com
Nickel coated calipers
Following the success of the GP4-RX radial caliper, a direct interchange with the standard radial forks of Japanese maxi sportbikes, Brembo has extended the range by offering a 100 mm fixing version for European Supersport bikes.
The two-piece caliper body is completely machined from billet and has a nickel surface finish. Brembo say that this creates an "extremely attractive look" and allows higher machining tolerances, bringing benefits in terms of performance and operating precision.
The calipers are supplied as a kit with Brembo sintered pads fitted, an instruction manual, a set of Brembo decals, special thermotapes as used in racing to monitor caliper operating temperature, and Brembo's quality control sheet and anti-counterfeiting scratch card, allowing the buyer to register for a certificate of authenticity.
BREMBO SPA
www.brembo.com
