North American unit sales for H1 were 34,000 (+21.43% over 2020 and +6.25% over 2019). Unit sales of motorcycles in emerging markets exceeded 2020 in all regions, resulting in higher sales and profits. Higher sales of premium segment models helped improve the model mix with sales and profits surpassing its 2019 H1 results. Motorcycle and related business segment net sales were 595.9bn yen (an increase of 166.9bn yen or +38.9%).
Young people all over Germany can now get their class AM moped driving license at the age of 15 following a national driving license regulation by the Federal Government in Germany. Many states had already adopted the protocol (only Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen had been hold-outs). The better theoretical and practical training of young riders in this age group has proven to benefit road safety according to Dekra. For eastern German states, the nationwide regulation now means a return to the legal situation that existed before reunification.
In the USA, Wiseco is celebrating its 80th year manufacturing performance pistons by giving away a brand-new, off-road built YZ250 two-stroke in partnership with Road 2 Recovery. All entries to win the bike are available through donations and exclusive Wiseco 80th apparel purchases made at WinWiseco80.com, with all proceeds directly benefitting the Road 2 Recovery foundation and its efforts helping injured riders - entries will close December 10th, 2021.
Royal Enfield (RE) has opened a CKD (Complete Knock Down kit) assembly plant in Colombia - the third-biggest motorcycle market in Latin America - in partnership with its local distributor, Colombiana de Comercio (Corbeta Group). The facility in Envigado, Antioquia, marks RE's second outside of India. RE set up retail operations in Colombia in July 2014, with a first store in Bogotá. It now has 15 exclusive stores in Colombia and 57 exclusive stores with 40 other retail touchpoints in Latin America overall. Initially the plant will assemble the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Suspension manufacturer Fox Factory Holding Corp. announced record Q2 sales of $328.2m and EPS of $1.05 after posting 79.2% increased sales to $328.2m. Gross margin was 33.9%, compared to 32.8% in the same period last fiscal year. Adjusted EBITDA was $69.7m, or 21.2% of sales, compared to $33.7m, or 18.4% of sales in the same period last fiscal year.
Former Harley CFO John Olin has joined Pittsburgh-based Wabtec as Executive VP and CFO. Wabtec is an $8bn a year equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services provider for the global freight and transit rail industries and mining, marine and industrial markets.
In July, California became the most recent and largest state so far to adopt the AMA-supported Anti-Motorcyclist Profiling Resolution. The resolution urges law enforcement agencies to engage in efforts to end motorcyclist profiling and to promote increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling. It urges law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials and to distribute those across law enforcement agencies. The states of Washington, Maryland, Louisiana and Idaho have also passed legislation specifically forbidding the profiling of motorcyclists.
Brembo reported H1 2021 revenues at € 1,360.8m, up 43.1% compared to 2020 and up 2.8% compared to the first six months of 2019. EBITDA was € 270.2m (margin: 19.9%), EBIT was € 165.8m (margin: 12.2%). Net investments in a quarter in which Brembo marked its 60th anniversary and announced the acquisition of Spanish brakes manufacturer J.Juan (having bought Danish brakes component manufacturer SBS in Q1) amounted to € 99.9m. Net financial debt of € 496.9m was down € 100.6m compared to the period to 30 June 2020.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com