The sales decline at Can-Am, Ski-doo, Sea-doo and Rotax owner BRP continued in its 2024/2025 Q4 period to January 31st, 2025, with sales revenue down by -19.7% (CAN$2,097.6m) as demand in north America for recreational powersports products continues to soften. Like other manufacturers BRP is also struggling to be able to reduce inventory as demand continues to slide - especially in snowmobile terms, in a season hit by lower sales due to much reduced and much later snowfall. BRP unit retail sales were - 21% compared to the prior year and additionally cited market share loss in ORV due to high non-current inventory from other OEMs. PSB reports that "given the ongoing global tariff disputes and the uncertainty surrounding any potential changes to trade regulations, BRP is deferring providing financial guidance for FY26."
Cardo Systems has partnered with Roland Sands Design to release a limited edition PACKTALK PRO RSD - "born from a collaboration with legendary custom bike builder, racer, and designer Roland Sands"; www.cardosystems.com, www.rolandsands.com
Krämer Motorcycles USA has partnered with premium Italian workshop equipment brand LV8 for trackside workbenches and tool storage units for use in the racing trailer they will have at each MotoAmerica Talent Cup round - providing trackside services to Talent Cup teams and WP Suspension users; www.kramermotorcyclesusa.com, www.lv8.it
German sport bike builder Kramer Motorcycles (Burghausen, southern Germany) has seen its USA operation achieve an all-time sales record in 2024, more than doubling its 2023 unit sales volume there, doubling its gross revenue over the same period and quadrupling its business size there in just three years. Kramer USA is headed up by Joe Karvonen and former 'Asphalt & Rubber' race and industry blogger Jensen Beeler. As a go-to brand for racers and track day enthusiasts seeking turnkey, dedicated track and racing motorcycles, the sales growth was led by the limited special edition GP2-890 RR with their EVO2-690 single additionally notching wins against top-level Twins Cup competitors. In addition to the Hooligan style GP2-890 XX naked announced at EICMA last year, Kramer's new APX-350 MA is set to be the 'Spec-Bike' for the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup - the new race entry level series for ambitious and talented 14–21-year-olds. The series is a stepping stone into the Red Bull Rookies Cup, as an official part of the "Road to MotoGP" program in USA.
The MIC has published fresh consumer sentiment data (April 20) based on the University of Michigan's latest survey - and the findings are not pretty. Consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell for the fourth consecutive month, bringing overall sentiment down more than 30% since December 2024. Buckner Nesheim, MIC Director of Research and Statistics, said these numbers warrant close attention - "the survey, updated monthly, tracks how consumers feel about the economy, offering insights critical for industries like ours that rely on discretionary spending. The latest survey results suggest caution. Declining sentiment can suggest that consumers may hesitate on big-ticket powersports purchases due to economic uncertainty;" www.mic.org
The Cologne Exhibition Centre (Koelnmesse) in Germany that hosts the (now annual and pre-Christmas timed) INTERMOT Expo has announced that it has to fold another of its "transport industry" event initiatives. After just three shows, the polisMOBILITY expo and conference will not take place in June 2025 as planned. An abbreviation for Metropolis Mobility, this city transport, green and sustainable transport policy initiative was backed by the Cologne City Council and the Nord Rhine Westphalia regional Government; www.intermot-cologne.com
RideApart.com has reported that Chinese automaker BYD recently unveiled an EV charging system capable of delivering a massive 1,000 kW of power, cutting recharge times to just five minutes. "This technology could reportedly add around 250 miles of range in the time it takes to grab a coffee."
