BMW Motorrad was able to increase deliveries of its motorcycles and maxi-scooters in the third quarter to 43,744 units (2018: 39,818 units; +9.9%); revenue growth was +17.2% (€ 558 m). Motorcycle deliveries during the first nine months of 2019 totaled 136,932 units (+8.0%), generating revenues of € 1,871 million. October sales were down -3.1% for the month (12,645 units), but up by +7% (149,577 units) for the YTD.
ISMA, the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, is predicting that the upcoming season should be a good one for the snowmobile industry, with the winter projected to bring high snowfalls. Sales for 2018-2019 totaled 55,025 new snowmobiles in the USA, with 46,784 new units sold in Canada and over 31,000 sold in Europe.
Indian Motorcycle's new Challenger model is equipped with the Metzeler Cruisetec tire as stock fitment - "with 122 hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque, the Cruisetec's performance characteristics will stand up to the demands the Challenger rider will inflict on the road," says Metzeler.
Cycle World has named the Ducati Diavel 1260 S as its best cruiser of 2019, with the BMW R 1250 GS ADV as the best Touring model. Its best lightweight street bike is the Kawasaki Z400; best middleweight is the Triumph Street Triple R, and best 'Open-Class' street bike the much admired KTM 1290 Super Duke GT.
Turin, Italy based Tacita Motorcycles is the latest E-bike manufacturer to cast covetous eyes on the domestic US market, having established Tacita USA Corp. in Miami, Florida, headed up by CEO Axel Heilenkotter. Tacita says it has been building electric motorcycles since 2011 and plans to offer two model ranges - the T-Race off-road and Enduro E-bikes, and three power/price point cruiser style models (T-Cruise) that are clearly aimed at Harley's LiveWire. Whereas most electric motorcycles have a 'Twist & Go' throttle, the T-Cruise will apparently have a more conventional gear shift transmission.
The Norden 901 parallel twin dual sport concept that Husqvarna teased at EICMA in November is now slated to enter production as the KTM owned manufacturer continues to ramp up its play for a slice of the ADV market. "Forming Husqvarna Motorcycles’ vision of an adventure-touring motorcycle, the Norden 901 is a dynamic, twin-cylinder motorcycle that features advanced rider ergonomics and high performance based on years of rally experience, delivering outstanding street and off-road performance."
The KSR Group (Christian and Michael Kirschenhofer) has completed the second phase of an expansion plan at its new corporate headquarters at Gedersdorf in Austria, with the addition of around 2,200 sq m, including an in-house design studio for its PTW brands - including Malaguti, Brixton, Lambretta and KSR Moto. KSR opened the first phase of its new HQ in April 2017; revenues are said to have grown by 50% in two years from 2016 and are expected to have grown by the same again in the 2018/2019 period.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has been appointed as the new President of Motor Valley - a Bologna, Italy, area promotional association that brings together all the "Motor Valley" brands of the Emilia-Romagna region - "this unique motorcycle and car manufacturing area has over 16,500 businesses (10% of Italy's national supply chain) and employs over 66,000 people. It is home to a concentration of brands, private collections, international race circuits and specialized training centres within a 150 km radius that is like no other on the planet. Motor Valley encapsulates Made-in-Italy automotive and industrial excellence: it's a project that highlights the area's capacity to network and make the most of internationally unique qualities."
