In addition to a slew of key hires, Austin, Tx. based Volcon Inc. (NASDAQ: VLCN), "the first all-electric, off-road powersports company," (of 'Grunt', 'Runt' and 'Stag' EPTW fame) says it has received over 250 dealership applications (as at early December) and had officially signed another six, totaling 25 secured tier-one brick-and-mortar stores in USA since launching its Dealer Program in November. Volcon's Liberty Hill factory location will be situated on 70 acres in Northwest Austin, Texas, consisting of a vast trail network through a dense mix of cedar and oak trees that will soon become the company's proving grounds. "Along with a dry creek bed and running river, the property will serve as the perfect location to continually test and refine Volcon's two and four-wheeled vehicles." www.volcon.com
Canadian electric sports bike manufacturer Damon Motors (Vancouver, Bc.) was named as a CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree. The company was recognized in the Vehicle Intelligence and Transportation category for its proprietary HyperDrive, "the world's first monocoque-constructed, 100 percent electric, multi-variant powertrain," says founder & CEO Jay Giraud. "Damon was selected for a CES Innovation Award from a record high number of over 1,800 submissions. In an elite class of its own, the HyperDrive boasts some incredible numbers - 200 hp, 200 mph, 200 mile range, 0-60 in three seconds, with virtually no maintenance." This followed receiving a 2021 'Good Design' Award from the Galena, Illinois based and internationally respected Chicago Athenaeum Museum of architecture and design. www.damon.com
Canadian "off-road vehicle manufacturer" Taiga Motors (TSX: TAIG) has announced that it has completed production of its first customer-ready electric snowmobiles at its 130,000 sq. ft. Montreal, Qc. based facility and is "working with governing agencies on final approvals to begin first deliveries to pre-order customers in early 2022," according to CEO Sam Bruneau. "With the sleds soon ready for the snow, we are excited by the idea of our customers being able to ride on these cutting-edge machines that embody winter exploration without compromise." www.taigamotors.ca
Having stepped down as MIC chairman, Indian Motorcycle and Polaris Inc., senior assistant general counsel Paul Vitrano will be joining the executive leadership team of the new company operating the GEM and Taylor-Dunn businesses being divested by Polaris. Vitrano also resigned from the AMA Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
H-D subsidiary STACYC, the electric balance bike specialist, has extended its partnership with Monster Energy AMA Supercross as the Official Electric Balance Bike for kids for a third year. It will again be sponsoring the STACYC Live segment, where "Little Rippers from all over will be submitting videos in hopes of having theirs aired live and on the big screen. Each round of Supercross 2022 will feature a different weekly submission. After all the submissions have been collected, STACYC will select two Grand Prize Winners who will win airfare and accommodation to the Salt Lake City Finale, Round 17 on May 7th, 2022, where they will get a coveted spot on the starting line for a chance at being the 2022 STACYC Holeshot Challenge Winner.
The NHTSA has issued a recall for certain Zero Motorcycles models due to possible installation of the incorrect rear brake pads. The move affects 45 2022 Zero SR, SR/F and SR/S models.
Lexus Europe has revealed a unique hydrogen-powered side-by-side concept which is said to deliver "near zero emissions" and "extreme off-road capability." The company states that it "reflects a commitment by Lexus to ensure that exhilarating driving can co-exist with a carbon-free society centered on responsible mobility."
As part of its 60th anniversary program, Brembo is "planting a forest of more than 14,000 trees and donating them to group employees around the world." The Brembo Forest will rise in Kenya, near Lake Victoria, where Brembo will work in partnership with web platform Treedom - "the first such system to allow trees to be planted remotely and their stories followed online." It is estimated that the 14,000 fruit and non-fruit trees will sequester more than 7,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere over 10 years. The project will involve about 1,300 farmers who will take care of the forest, with the help of an NGO.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com