Since the introduction of the Dream D-Type in 1949, Honda's 70th anniversary of motorcycle mass-production has also marked the company's 400 million-unit milestone for global motorcycle production. Honda was founded in 1948 and began mass-production of motorcycles at its first overseas production facility in Belgium in 1963. Since then, Honda has expanded its production globally in accordance with its fundamental principle of producing locally where there is demand, currently producing motorcycles from 50 cc commuters to 1,800 cc models at 35 facilities in 21 countries. Honda began motorcycle production in North America in 1979.
An analysis by Bloomberg suggests that even after the U.S. administration's latest China trade deal, in 2019 dollar terms losses from China tariffs translated to $134 billion in lost GDP. Bloomberg is projecting that China tariffs will cost the American economy $316 billion by the end of 2020.
Indian Motorcycle has issued a recall for certain 2019 Chieftain, Vintage, Roadmaster, Dark Horse, Springfield and FTR1200 motorcycles. Up to 5,474 units may be affected - a 10A circuit breaker can trip, causing the engine to stall.
KTM (Pierer Mobility AG) has announced record KTM Group sales in 2019 - increasing to 280,099 motorcycles (+7%) (KTM and Husqvarna). 2019 also saw integration of production of the Girona, Spain based Trials bike specialist GasGas into the Group as a third motorcycle brand, alongside WP Suspension and German E-Bike manufacturer Pexco GmbH. This was a 9th consecutive year of growth for the part Bajaj Auto owned Austrian manufacturer. Bajaj is India's second largest PTW manufacturer and engaged in a non-equity collaborative partnership with British manufacturer Triumph to bring Triumph badged middleweights to the Asian market.
H-D is recalling some 12,624 2019-2020 FLHTCUTG and FLRT Trike motorcycles related to a potential traction control system fault.
"Approximately 100 percent" of tariff costs have fallen onto Americans, new research shows. The U.S. administration has claimed that China and other nations have paid the tariffs levied on thousands of products over the past two years, but according to a new National Bureau of Economic Research paper "approximately 100 percent" of those costs have fallen onto American buyers. The paper, which uses customs data through October 2019, reflects a series of similar independent findings that have been published over the past year.
The MIC Government Relations Office continues its work "to protect all kinds of motorcycles, including electric motorcycles. Last year we were successful in striking or reducing proposed fees for electric motorcycles in Iowa and North Dakota," said Scott Schloegel, MIC Senior VP of Gov't Relations. "We will continue to work with other states to reduce fees, benefiting customers and dealers as interest in electric motorcycles continues to rise." The MIC has long advocated for the inclusion of electric motorcycles in state EV incentive legislation, and for the reduction or elimination of additional fees imposed on electric motorcycles.
The global sales of driving protection gear roughly equates to revenues worth US$ 7 billion, and will remain concentrated in helmets (a third of revenues), according to a new study of Future Market Insights (FMI). The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the correct helmet usage can lead to -42% reduction in fatal injuries and -69% reduction in head injuries. Gloves and armor are expected to be significant growth areas in the next decade.