It is reported that Harley has added further to its IP filings war chest – ‘Bronx’ with the US P&TO, and ‘Pan America’ and ‘48X’ in Europe.
Monday October 1, 2018 is confirmed as “move-in” day for the XIII AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building at INTERMOT ‘Customized’, Cologne, Germany. Tuesday 2nd is press day; Wednesday 3rd is the international trade and VIP visitor Preview Day, with public admission from Thursday 3rd through Sunday 7th. Judging is Saturday 6th, with the awards ceremony at 3:00 pm Sunday 7th. In 2016 INTERMOT “Customized” attracted some 150,000 visitors.
Harley has filed suit against a Californian apparel business called Affliction claiming violation of its trademark. Harley is reportedly seeking $2 million per trademark for each type of product, as well as profits, damages, attorney fees and the destruction of all the existing products that infringe on their IP.
Rumors abound that Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra’s 2016 acquisition of rights to the legendary BSA name will result in more than just a balance sheet bump from T-shirt sales - and sooner rather than later, with new models, after making their Milan Show debut, possibly as early as 2018. M&M is also 51 % owner of French made Peugeot Scooters and recently announced that it will build a factory near Detroit to build off-road utility vehicles – the first automotive plant to be opened in the United States by an Indian corporation.
Indian Motorcycles has opened a “pop-up” merchandise boutique at the new Mall of Switzerland near Lucerne. The store will be there for 6 months.
Triumph, who last year signed a deal with Indian conglomerate Bajaj Auto for the development, manufacturing and sale of new mid-range models, has reported its best sales for 30 years. For its 2016/2017 financial year (the period ending June 30, 2017) Triumph Motorcycles has posted total global revenues of GBP £498.5 million, up by £90.9 million (+18.23 percent) on sales of some 63,000 units (up from around 56,000 in the previous financial year). More than 86 % of Triumph sales are outside the UK, with their dealers in the U.S. selling pretty much all the bikes they can get, most of the time.
It was announced in November that the Federal Highway Administration is to appoint a 10-member Motorcycle Advisory Council to advise on infrastructure and other issues facing riders.
