Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles in Europe (EU countries) reached 21,100 units during the first six months of 2018 - an increase of +49% compared to the first half of 2017 (14,160 units). Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2018 are mopeds (14,150 units), followed by motorcycles (5,370 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 1,580 units).
The largest European markets in terms of electric units were France, where combined registrations of mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles totalled 5,430 units (+24.8% on a year-on-year basis), followed by Netherlands (3,890 vehicles, +48.6%), Belgium (3,830 vehicles, +62%), Spain (2,930 vehicles, +125.5%) and Italy (1,280 vehicles, +20.9%).
An estimated 100 million electric two-wheelers, including scooters and ‘PedElecs’, are in use on the roads in China, and recent reforms in the Chinese EV industry are leading to an upsurge in domestic Chinese demand for European and American made brands – at least they were until the uncertainty triggered by the tariff war.
BRP has released fiscal year 2018 second quarter results, reporting “strong momentum in North America powersports retail - up +16%, outpacing the industry.” Revenues were CAN $1,207.0 million, an increase of +18.0%; gross profit of CAN $280.1 million, 23.2% of revenues; and an August 2018 formal completion of the Triton Industries Inc., acquisition, the Lansing, Michigan based manufacturer of Manitou Pontoon Boats.
Robert C. Fox, Jr. has retired from the board of directors of Fox Factory, the company he founded. A Physics graduate, in 1974 Bob Fox set out on a quest to “redefine motocross suspension, believing that there had to be a better solution.” In 1976, Kent Howerton won the 500cc AMA Motocross National Championship on Bob’s AirShox and Marty Smith followed with another 500cc Championship for Fox in 1977, creating a demand for Bob’s suspension and Fox Factory was born the following year.