The MIC and other outdoor recreation industry groups have applauded a March secretarial order that will help prevent the sale of public lands important to outdoor recreation, while ensuring that public access be a key consideration in land exchanges. The U.S. Department of the Interior order directs the Bureau of Land Management to formally consider what impact the disposal or exchange of BLM land will have on the public's ability to access federal lands for recreation. "This order will help ensure that the Bureau of Land Management considers public access to public lands."
BMW has marked the production of its three millionth motorcycle/PTW at its Spandau, Berlin factory (a S 1000 RR) since the company moved all motorcycle production there from Munich in 1969. The company says that the facility employs 2,100 people and at peak times sees a new model roll off the final assembly line every 65 seconds. Some 130,000 units were produced there in 2018, including around 8,000 ready-to-ship CKD kits for assembly at its plants in Brazil and Thailand.
Increasingly draconian OEM dealer policies in Europe are accelerating calls and plans for the creation of an all-brand pan-European motorcycle dealer association that is independent of any single motorcycle manufacturer or group.
Noted Italian helmet manufacturer Nolan has been bought by 2Ride Holding (2RH), the owner of French helmet manufacturer Shark and apparel, luggage and accessory brands such as Bering, Bagster and Segura. 2RH was itself largely off-loaded by its owner last year when Paris based Naxicap sold a majority position in 2RH to another Paris based equity investor - Eurazeo PME - who are targeting to double group sales in five years from the reported € 90m/US$100m achieved in 2017. 2RH was created by Shark to develop and manage its ambitions just as the motorcycle market tanked.
Yamaha has commenced public road testing of its YG-M FC prototype fuel cell vehicle in Japan. Comparted to similar size electric vehicles, the fuel cell prototype is said to have a longer range and shorter refuelling time.
Via his Sonic Financial Corporation subsidiary, Charlotte, North Carolina based retail conglomerate Sonic Automotive founder and Executive Chairman O. Bruton Smith has submitted a non-binding proposal to acquire Speedway Motorsports, of which he is also the Executive Chairman and a director of Speedway Motorsports. Through its subsidiaries, Speedway owns and operates premier motorsport facilities such as Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Las Vegas, New Hampshire and Texas Motor Speedways, Kentucky Speedway and Sonoma Raceway.
US manufacturing output remained unchanged in March. Taken with two monthly declines previously, the Q1 data marks the biggest quarterly decrease in production since 2017, at 1.1%. Vehicles and parts production fell -2.5% in March, however, overall manufacturing output rose slightly by +0.2%, if vehicles and parts are excluded. Manufacturing of computer and electronic products and primary metals contributed by rising in March. Manufacturing accounts for 12% of the US economy.
BMW has announced New Zealand as the venue for its 2020 Oceania International GS Trophy (February 9-16, 2020) with a change of model to the F 850 GS for a combination, one-way North and South Island route. There will be first time teams entering from the Netherlands, Argentina, the Middle East and North Africa, with a Nordic team making a comeback to the event.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW
