Sources : AMD , IDN , FT , Reuters , PSB , MPN , BDN , MCN , AP , Bloomberg , MSNW , Electrek , electricmotorcycles . news , RideApart . com , Motor1 . com , Cycle World , motorbikewriter . com
NEWS
BRIEFS
South Dakota Department of Transportation ( SDDOT ) data released for the first four days of traffic counts - of vehicles entering the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - show a slight decrease compared to the previous five-year average . The 2015 data estimated that 965,130 vehicles entered the city , the highest attendance to date . Some 214,000 vehicles were counted for the first four days of 2014 , down by approx . - 5.6 %.
There have been changes in the marketing team at Turn 14 Distribution in Horsham , PA , and at the new Keller , TX based powersports distribution division that operates former Tucker house brands such as Twin Power , Kuryakyn , Biker ' s Choice , Bike Master and River Road apparel . The changes see Lesley Madsen , the Marketing Director that T-14 inherited from Tucker , depart the company , with Nashona Haldane hired to the PA head office marketing set-up to lead the development , organization and daily execution of the company ' s powersports market branding and presence remotely from the Texas based brand and distribution management structure . Meanwhile , long-standing T-14 head office Marketing Director Daryl Sampon has chosen to leave the business .
In USA , the 2024 SEMA Market Report finds that automotive specialty-equipment market sales grew to $ 52.3bn in 2023 , an increase of about 1 % over 2022 .
RideApart reports that the Japanese government raided the offices of Harley-Davidson Japan at the end of July , in connection with allegations of excessive sales quotas on contract dealerships . The raid was by Japan ' s Fair Trade Commission , with " multiple sources " alleging that H-D Japan began " setting unrealistically high sales quotas around 2020-2021 ." Dealerships under contract were then allegedly threatened with not having their contracts renewed if they did not meet the new quotas . Japan has notoriously strict regulations and draconian enforcement practices in such matters . Elsewhere isn ' t it closer to being regarded as " business as usual " in terms of the OEM / Franchisee relationship ?
Owned by Indian conglomerate TVS , British comeback kids Norton Motorcycles has hired former Manchester United Football Club CEO Richard Arnold as its new Chief Executive Officer .
British Dymag Wheels Brand Sold
The British Dymag Wheels brand , previously operated by CSA Performance subsidiary Dymag Racing , has been sold to Dortmund area German lightweight alloy wheel manufacturer Borbet GmbH . Borbet has acquired the Dymag lightweight magnesium and carbon car and motorbike rims brand IP , product designs and technology , all patents and UK production facilities with the immediate integration of all Dymag Racing employees . The deal was executed via Dymag Technologies Limited ( DTL ), a newly established prepack acquisition vehicle , established expressly for the purposes of the sale . DTL will remain based at Chippenham in England and operate as an independent subsidiary of Borbet GmbH . Renowned as a manufacturer of highperformance , high strength and lightweight race and street wheels for OEM , race team and aftermarket customers , Dymag is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year - it was founded in the UK in 1974 . Established as Dymag Racing UK Ltd . in 2009 and under the ownership and management of Chris Shelley as Chairman since 2011 , Dymag has been funded by Puma Private Equity - with a recent funding round completed in 2020 . As a DTL Director , Shelley is quoted as saying : “ We are delighted to be part of the Borbet family . This partnership is a significant step for Dymag branded products and will position Dymag Technologies as a leading supplier to premium car manufacturers worldwide . We thank Puma Private Equity for its long-standing commitment and support in the development of Dymag branded world-class carbon wheels .” Burkhard Plett , CEO of Borbet GmbH , said : " With the acquisition of the Dymag assets by Dymag Technologies Ltd ., we are expanding our portfolio to include carbon and magnesium rims . This strategic decision underlines our aim to be a leader in all key wheel technologies for the automotive industry ." Dymag will continue to produce and supply BX-F wheels to aftermarket customers in the USA and Asia as well as Tier 1 wheel manufacturers worldwide . In addition , the company will continue to develop and market its successful motorbike wheels . In May this year , AMD reported on the introduction of Dymag ' s ' Sector ' race wheels , designed in collaboration with Roland Sands . Earlier this year , Dymag announced a partnership with MotoAmerica for the 2024 season , " reinforcing its commitment to the North American racing championship ." Having been a longtime supporter of MotoAmerica in the 2023 season , Dymag-backed teams - including in Hooligans and
Bagger Racing - achieved standout successes by fiercely competing on Dymag wheels , demonstrating the exceptional performance and reliability of the brand ’ s high-tech innovation ." Available in a range of colors , ' Sector ' wheels are initially being offered in 17 x 3.5 front and 17 x 5.5 / 6.0 rear . www . dymag . com
Chris Shelley , Director of Dymag Technologies Limited
14 AMD - SEPTEMBER 2024 www . AMDmag . com