Deltran, the owner of the popular Battery Tender battery charger brand, has prevailed in a 7-day federal jury trial on claims brought against competitor Noco Co., (Ohio) for trademark infringement. The jury issued two verdicts, awarding Deltran actual damages as well as significant punitive damages. Noco ran deceptive ad campaigns on Amazon between 2015 and 2018 that used the Battery Tender trademarks to confuse consumers.
RumbleOn has announced a three-year extension to a sponsorship of the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as the exclusive "Online Pre-owned Motorcycle Company" of the rally that started in 2018. It will have a physical presence at the rally "where powersport enthusiasts can buy, sell or trade their powersport vehicles onsite, and interact with the brand at the prominent corner of 6th and Lazelle St."
Powersports Business (PSB) has announced "an exclusive powersports dealer experience" - the PSB Accelerate Conference - to "bring together dealers and industry leaders to focus on key issues, business growth and future planning" at the Atlanta, GA, Hyatt Regency, on November 8-10, 2021. Features will include workshops, seminars, case studies and keynotes - "a unique experience filled with networking discussions, receptions and thought leadership."
SEMA has welcomed the reintroduction of the RPM Act for 2021, but says that a major effort is also needed to ensure that it passes into law. "Our voices have been heard! After receiving more than one million letters from enthusiasts, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act) has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2021-2022 session of Congress. The RPM Act must now be enacted into law to guarantee the right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete."
BRP has reported North American powersports retail sales up by 39% for its quarter to April 2021. Revenues increased by $578.8m (+47.1%) to $1,808.6m compared to the year-ago period. Revenues from year-round products increased by $282.2m (+44.1%) to $922.5m; seasonal products increased by $140.8m (+43.6%) to $463.4m for the three-month period ended April 30, 2021. Revenues from Powersports PA&A and OEM Engines increased by $143.3m (+91.0%) to $300.8m. North American retail sales for powersport vehicles were +39% - mainly driven by PWC, 3WV and ATV. Gross profit increased by $306.9m (+130.5%) to $542.0m.
A survey by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) in the UK has found that just 8% of respondents accepted a potential ban on conventional motorcycles in favour of electrics, with 36% wanting to see such a ban delayed and 55% completely opposed. Complete opposition was higher amongst non-members than members. Asked whether they would stop riding altogether, keep existing petrol motorcycles running for as long as possible, or adopt electric before the end of any phase-out, 31% said they would hang up their leathers, 56% would resist the switch for as long as possible and just 13% would make the switch before it was unavoidable.
B&B reports that the Chinese-American company Segway-Ninebot is making a name for itself with its concept of a motorcycle with a hydrogen-electric drive. The Segway Apex H2 is scheduled to hit the market from 2023. The electric motor is said to have 80 hp and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in four seconds. The motor draws its energy from a fuel cell. It converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. The innovation is in an exchange cartridge hydrogen supply system. Expected pricing in USA is in the region of US $10,000.
Through July 6, 2021, participating Zero Motorcycle dealers in the United States are again offering a $1,500 'Cash for Carbon' credit incentive for riders buying one of its 2020 or 2021 SR/S and SR/F models. "Adding this to the current North America Federal Tax Credit and you have the potential of saving nearly $4,000."
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com