Energica Motor Company has delivered its first shipments to Japan and Australia - deliveries include Energica's newest model, the Experia. In Japan it has signed a strategic partnership with importer Estar & Co., Ltd., who has opened a mono-brand showroom in Kobe, on the man-made RokkÅ Island. It showed the 2023 Energica range at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show in March. Energica has partnered with Australian Electric Motor Co. to import its electric motorcycles into Australia and New Zealand. From its HQ on the Gold Coast, AEMC is developing a network of dealers throughout the continent. Additionally, Energica recently introduced its products to the Pakistan market.
Yamaha Motor has announced an investment in Andes Ag, Inc., a U.S.-based start-up pursuing research into beneficial microorganism technologies to remove CO2 from the air. This marks the first investment made through the $100m Yamaha Motor Sustainability Fund, established in June last year specifically for investing in early-stage companies working to address climate change. This investment in Andes was made possible through Yamaha Motor's Silicon Valley-based group company Yamaha Motor Ventures (YMV), the corporate venture capital arm of Yamaha Motor Company.
In its 75th anniversary year, Honda has won Red Dot Design awards in the Product Design category for the European designed CB750 Hornet and XL750 Transalp models. Honda's design team in Rome created the CB750 Hornet "as a new, contemporary expression of technical beauty with sharp lines and aggressive angles." In addition, the XL750 Transalp received top honors from the Red Dot jury. Marking a return of the Transalp name to Honda's motorcycle line-up after nearly a decade, the XL750 Transalp "brings the comfortable do-it-all crossover to a new generation of riders. Built around the same all-new 755 cc parallel twin-cylinder engine as the Hornet, it faithfully references the iconic 1986 original XL600V Transalp, but with an unmistakeably modern look, thanks to the sculpted fairing and screen."
In partnership with Cardo, Ducati's new communication system V3 intercom offers enthusiasts "the most innovative communication technologies - such as Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) connectivity - without sacrificing the unmistakable Ducati red. The streamlined, antenna-free silhouette makes this intercom aerodynamic, improving comfort, silence and aesthetics, and the magnetic mount for attachment to the helmet simplifies installation."
Honda has confirmed the return of its miniMOTO, Scooter and Trials models - Ruckus, Metropolitan and Montesa Cota - with engine updates for a returning retro-inspired Trial125.
Nitro Circus will "bring motorcycle stunt mayhem" to the H-D Homecoming Festival from July 13 to 16 as the Motor Company marks its 120th anniversary with a non-stop, action-packed freestyle motocross show on the Milwaukee lakefront Veterans Park. In addition to elite moto-athletes performing insane ramp tricks and heart-racing stunts as they push themselves to their limits, the Ives Brothers Wall of Death is also scheduled for performances - along with Foo Fighters (Sat., July 15) and Green Day (Fri., July 14).
Derek Brooks of Yamaha and John Hinz of KTM have been elected to serve as Chair and Vice Chair respectively of the MIC Board of Directors. Jim Woodruff, CEO of NPA remains secretary and treasurer. MIC also welcomes new board members Bill Savino, senior manager of sales support for American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and Eric Sievers, director, sales planning and analysis at Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA as retiree replacements for Chuck Boderman and Bill Jenkins.
Polaris has announced the RZR Pro R Factory - described as the powersport's industry's first purpose built, race-ready UTV. It is an evolution of its class-leading RZR Pro R, featuring "race-tuned power, desert-proven strength and unmatched control."
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com