International Dealer News 156 August/September 202 IDN 156 Aug/Sept 2020 | Page 9

INTERMOT postponed to 2022 Koelnmesse, the international exhibition centre at Cologne, Germany (that organises the biennial INTERMOT expo for the German motorcycle trade association/IVM), has announced that it has had to cancel this year's planned INTERMOT expo in October. Koelnmesse stated that it "took this decision not least in the interest of the health of exhibitors and visitors. In contrast to trade fairs with a B2B orientation, major events such as INTERMOT draw tens of thousands of private visitors on all days of the trade fair; the hall space is limited and the time available is short. "Spatial proximity and the shared experience of the trade fair form an integral part of the character of this event. At this point in time, the specifications currently in effect that have been issued by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI - the German government health institute), policymakers and the public authorities cannot be met at major events. This is compounded by uncertainties on the part of numerous customers and the complicated travel situation". The next INTERMOT will be 5-9 October 2022 in Cologne. "We regret that the overall situation leaves us no other choice". Like all exhibition organisers throughout the world, Koelnmesse is aware that 2020 is clearly going to prove to be a watershed year in terms of how consumer and B2B trade fairs and exhibitions are operated. They went on to say that in future, such events "will incorporate more hybrid elements – to supplement the on-site experience with added digital reach. All stakeholders involved now have enough time to prepare accordingly for the next INTERMOT in Cologne, and to make it, once again, the meeting place of the international motorcycle community. "We have hosted digital formats, in planning, that will present vehicle manufacturers' world premières for the 2021 season, together with innovations and industry news from the parts, accessories and apparel segments. There are also plans for a B2B talk format that will discuss 'opportunities after the coronavirus crisis'. "All of the digital INTERMOT events are scheduled for the end of 2020 and will be broadcast as news streams to the global motorcycle community". news ROOM NEWS BRIEFS It is rumoured that a new 1,160 cc Triumph Speed Triple is in the final stages of development. Two months ago Triumph announced it was reducing its global workforce by some 400 people (240 in the UK). This follows job losses confirmed following the decision to move the last remaining volume production to Thailand (the Tiger 1200 and Speed Triple). Turnover grew to GBP £529.5m in the year to June 2019 (€585m), when worldwide production was put at 60,131 bikes. At that stage, some 6 to 7,000 were thought to have been made at the UK factory in the prior year. KTM scored big at EICMA 2019 with its 901 Norden concept, Husqvarna's first ever ADV, and will be in the 2021 line-up. The parallel twin engine is from the 890 Duke R, with the frame likely from the KTM 790 ADV. Now rumours of a 901 version of the Vitpilen flat tracker are emerging, also for 2021. Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW. electricmotorcycles.news www.idnmag.com INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 9