BRP's three manufacturing facilities in Mexico received a "Family Responsible Company" award from Mexico's Ministry of Labor and Social Security (STPS). This distinction is granted to companies in Mexico that apply and promote labor policies that contribute to the development of workers in an integral way, both at work and within their family environment.
British bike maker Ariel is to reveal a $61K model with carbon bodywork, black pearl frame and gold anodizing. The Ace R will be a Limited Edition of which only 10 units will be made and sold worldwide. After launching the Ace in 2014, Ariel has produced over 50 of its 201 hp V4 motorcycles. The company says that further development of the Ace has shown that the chassis will accommodate a considerable increase in power while remaining an easy to ride and flexible road bike.
Former Advanstar/UBM property Dealernews has been bought by DN 2.0 LLC, a Columbus, Ohio based acquisition vehicle established by Bob Althoff, owner of three Harley dealerships in the greater Columbus area, including A.D. Farrow, which claims to be the oldest Harley-Davidson dealerships in the world. Althoff intends to relaunch the 51-year-old powersports media brand “with a new mission and new utilities to serve franchised and non-franchised powersports retailers and service shops in the United States and Canada.” Former Dealernews publisher and content director Mary Green (Mary Slepicka) is joining as vice president and general manager.
A new “Grassroots” group called “Motorcycle Action Network” is launching in a bid to “Rid U.S. Transportation Agencies of Corporate Influence”. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, it is being headed up by self-styled long-time public safety advocate Fergus Nolan as a non-profit organization “dedicated to making roads safer for American motorcyclists and the drivers around them. The organization will raise awareness of federal and state transportation regulations that have been weakened by the U.S. motorcycle industry and its allies, costing thousands of lives every year.” Nolan says that it will initially focus on strengthening regulations set by the NHTSA in connection with motorcycle anti-lock brake systems (ABS).
Ducati sales were +1.1 percent in 2016 at 55,451, with USA their largest market (8,787 units sold). “Ending the year of our 90th anniversary with yet another record is a source of immense pride and satisfaction”, said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “2016 was the seventh consecutive growth year for Ducati.” During its second year on international markets, the Ducati Scrambler brand extended its worldwide success: over 15,500 bikes were delivered. Italy is their second most important market, where they were +20% in 2016; Germany is their third largest market (+8 percent in 2016). Ducati more than doubled its sales to China in 2016.