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BRIEFS
Canadian powersports vehicle manufacturer BRP ( Bombardier Recreational Products ) has announced that it intends to offer electric models in all product lines by the end of 2026 . To achieve this , they will invest $ 300m in product development , special equipment , infrastructure , production tools and plants . The company ' s Swiss subsidiary Rotax ( Gunskirchen , Austria ) is developing a modular electric power pack technology for use in all product lines . BRP is to establish the BRP Electric Vehicle Development Center in its hometown of Valcourt , Quebec , Canada . The BRP brand portfolio includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles , Sea-Doo boats and watercraft , Can-Am on-road and ATVs , Alumacraft , Manitou , Quintrex , Stacer and Savage boats , and Evinrude and Rotax boat propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts , motorcycles and sport aircraft .
Walking back prior remarks by CEO Claudio Domenicali in 2019 , Ducati ' s VP of Global Sales and Board Member Francesca Milicia appears to be suggesting that its membership of the Volkswagen Audi Group ( VAG ) might give Ducati an opportunity to prioritize exploring synthetic gasoline rather than electric power as its initial pathway to reduced emissions . " Will we produce an electric Ducati soon ? No . We are also looking carefully at other solutions for zero or minimal emissions , such as synthetic fuel . Other brands in our group , such as Porsche , are looking at it and it ' s something we are looking at in the medium term ." In fact , Ducati parent company Audi ( along with Bosch ) is known to have been investing heavily in prototype synthetic pump gas scale production research since 2017 .
PIERER Mobility - the KTM , Husqvarna and GasGas parent company - announced record Q1 2021 revenues at € 509m (+ 82 %). A total of 106,453 vehicles were sold worldwide , including 87,197 KTM , Husqvarna and GasGas brand motorcycles and 19,256 R RAYMON and Husqvarna brand e-bikes (+ 80 %). In Europe , 53,971 motorcycles and e-bikes were sold during the period (+ 79 %). Growth was particularly strong in North America , where 12,637 motorcycles were sold (+ 145 %), and Australia ( 4,357 units /+ 109 %).
" Challenger Challenge " Back for 2021
As Indian Motorcycle continues to wage ' Bagger Wars ' against Harley-Davidson , news that the company has slated a return for its “ Challenger Challenge ,” a season-long demo tour and dealer activation that pits the Indian Challenger vs . the Harley- Davidson Road Glide Special " for the ultimate head-to-head comparison ." New for 2021 , riders taking the Challenger Challenge will experience each bike with comparable performance upgrades , including for the Challenger , Indian Motorcycle Stage 1 oval slip-on mufflers , a PowerPlus Stage 1 air intake and PowerPlus Stage 2
Irving , Texas based RumbleOn , a 100 % online ecommerce company that aggregates and distributes preowned automotive and powersport vehicles to and from consumers and dealers , is to " combine " its business with Chandler , Arizona based RideNow - the largest powersports retailer group in the United States . In fact , RumbleOn , a 100 % online buy / sell and finance platform , appears to be buying the RideNow chain of brick and mortar powersports retail locations for a combination of cash and shares . The two businesses have entered into a Definitive Agreement to form a publicly traded powersports dealership platform that is being described as " the first omnichannel customer experience in powersports in North America - delivering an unparalleled solution to powersports enthusiasts ." RumbleOn ( NASDAQ : RMBL ) says it performance cams . For the Road Glide Special there will be Harley-Davidson Screamin ' Eagle Street Cannon performance slip-on mufflers , a Screamin ' Eagle Heavy Breather extreme air cleaner , a Screamin ' Eagle Milwaukee-Eight Stage II Power Kit and a Screamin ' Eagle Pro Street tuner . " Taking center stage at the 2021 Challenger Challenge are Indian Motorcycle ’ s PowerPlus Stage 2 performance cams " - the same cams that helped power the S & S Indian Challenger to victory at the inaugural King of the Baggers race at Laguna Seca , California , in October 2020 .
sold more than 63,000 vehicles in 2020 , generating revenue of approximately $ 1.3bn net income and that the combination with RideOn will " propel revenue growth and drive meaningful cost synergies " in a deal that values RideNow at $ 575.4m - $ 400.4m of which will be paid in cash , with $ 175m paid in RumbleOn Class
B common stock . Up to $ 280.0m of the cash consideration is to be funded by new debt financing . " The integration of RideNow ' s extensive footprint and strong retail brand with RumbleOn ' s technology platform will transform the nation ' s largest powersports dealer into the first , and only , omnichannel powersports platform in North America .
" Featuring best-in-class stock performance , the Indian Challenger gains 10 % more horsepower with the Stage 2 upgrade kit - providing a new level of unmatched passing power and American Bagger performance . In a test at the 1 / 8th Mile NHRA sanctioned Irwindale Drag Strip in California , Indian Motorcycle report the Challenger as registering 7.52 seconds , with 7.96 for the Road Glide . After an initial outing for the Challenge at Daytona during Bike Week , the Challenger Challenge will tour with Indian Motorcycle demo events and at selected local dealerships .
RumbleOn and RideNow to Merge
" Together , the combined company will have a dominant position in a $ 100 + billion market . The end-to-end platform will enable the combined company to reach more consumers in a secularly growing , but still highly fragmented market that is benefitting from changing consumer behavior ." Founded in 1983 , RideNow has more than 40 full-service retail locations in 11 states . In 2020 , RideNow sold 45,527 powersport units , including ATVs , UTVs , motorcycles , snowmobiles and personal watercraft , generating approximately $ 899.4m in total revenue . RumbleOn ' s ecommerce platform is described as providing an " efficient , timely and transparent transaction experience , without leaving home . Whether buying , selling , trading or financing a vehicle , RumbleOn offers dealers and consumers a friction-free experience - without geographic boundaries ."
10 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - MAY 2021 www . AMDchampionship . com