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FUTURE
Honda global motorcycle units up for Q1
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In yet another apparent breakthrough in battery technology , scientists from MIT have invented a new approach to the storage of power generated by solar panels and other kinds of renewable green energy for when the weather isn ' t cooperating - a relatively inexpensive aluminium-sulphur alternative to the use of lithium-ion in home storage batteries . Aluminium is the second most plentiful metal on the planet , after iron . It is also cheap - sulphur is the least costly non-metal element and is also abundant . The entire battery can be made for about a sixth of the cost of its lithium equivalent- and it cannot burn . The battery is additionally ideal for use at electric vehicle charging stations as well as powering homes and small or medium-sized businesses . Full charge is reached in less than one minute .
A recent J . D . Power survey reports that the growth of electric vehicle ( EV ) sales during the past year in the USA has been remarkable , but that it has added stress to an already beleaguered public vehicle charging infrastructure . Owners in high EV volume markets like California , Texas and Washington , for instance , are finding the charging infrastructure inadequate and plagued with non-functioning stations - this is despite there being more public charging stations in operation than ever before . The shortage of public charging availability is said to be the number one reason vehicle shoppers reject EVs .
In recent years , many so-called experts and analysts have stood up at conferences or published Op-Ed pieces and papers explaining that because there will never be any new battery chemistry or architecture to deal with the crippling issue of renewable energy storage , the bright new , clean , green future being promised is doomed to die in darkness . Well , tell that to a certain Mr . Matti Ulvinen , product sales manager at Polar Night Energy , a small six-person start-up in Finland . The company has developed the world ' s first commercially operated sand battery . Yes , you read that right , good old basic low-grade sand ! Successful neighbourhood heat storage trials near Helsinki have proven that sand can be heated to 500 degrees C ( compared to 100 C for water ) and that it retains the generated heat in a closed loop system without significant loss for months on end . Unlike water , it does not evaporate or turn to steam and can therefore be released locally as demand requires , rather than needing to be used immediately .
For Q1 of its 2022-2023 financial year , Honda reports 4.251 million global Group unit sales , up by some 372,000 units over the prior year period ( consolidated sales were 2.972 million units , up by 580,000 ). Those sales generated 676bn yen (€ 4.848bn ), which were up by 30.5 % year-on-year and said to be mainly due to a sales increase in Asia and favourable currency effects . This resulted in a motorcycle segment operating profit of 97.8bn yen ( approx . € 705m ), a year-on-year increase of + 21 % related to changes
MV Agusta and KTM AG have signed a commercial agreement for the distribution of the MV Agusta range of motorcycles in the U . S ., Canada and Mexico by KTM AG ' s North American subsidiary . MV says the agreement is part of its strategic plan , one which envisions significant growth in the coming years . KTM AG Group will create a dedicated US-based legal entity , which will be in charge of all MV Agusta operations in North America . Going forward , MV Agusta motorcycles will be distributed through both select KTM AG dealers as well as existing and new MV Agusta stores . Timur Sardarov , CEO at MV
The A2 licence-friendly 2023 CMX500 Rebel parallel twin-cylinder compact cruiser - new paint options for 23YM . Standard specification includes assist / slipper clutch , LED lighting and gear position indicator . A Rebel S version with factory-fitted accessories ( headlight cowl , allblack fork covers and gaiters plus diamond-stitch style seat ) now finished in titanium metallic paint .
in sales prices , costs and favourable currency effects . Despite the modest increase in unit sales seen in Q1 , Honda has kept its full-year forecast ( through March 31 ,
KTM to distribute MV Agusta in North America
Agusta Motor S . p . A ., commented : " This agreement is between two historic European motorcycle manufacturers . I am confident that KTM ' s extensive and professional sales organisation , paired with the strong appeal of our brand in the region , will bring great benefits to both companies . Thanks to our cooperation , we will create synergies that will enable us to accelerate our growth strategy in North America ." Hubert Trunkenpolz , a member of the Executive Board at KTM AG , said : " We are extremely excited to start a new partnership with such a historic motorcycle brand . Our brands
Honda - 50 years of MX
Honda is marking " 50 years of Motocross legends " - half a century of manufacturing and winning MX bikes and races . Seen here , the CR250M ' Elsinore ' triggered the legendary " Win on Sunday , sell on Monday " era that many view as a golden era for the motorcycle industry , especially in the United States , as off-road racing matured and shaped the market we still have today . The product of the growth in motocross competition ( and sales demand ) in the USA and Europe , the CR250M was Honda ’ s first built-fromscratch , two-stroke production MX machine and met with instant success thanks to its user-friendliness , high build quality and reliability . Promotional activities for the new bike included a much-loved advertising film featuring Steve McQueen . Named after the legendary Elsinore Grand Prix ( held by Lake Elsinore , California ), the air-cooled 247.8 cc engine propelled 104 kg , while the chassis comprised a semi-double tubular steel frame , telescopic forks , steel swingarm , twin rear shocks and drum brakes front and rear . Honda ’ s MX journey had begun …
2023 ) level at 18.560 million units - which will see it having grown unit sales over the prior full year by an extra 1.533 million units .
are going from strength to strength everywhere in the world , particularly in North America , where we will exceed 100,000-unit sales in 2022 with the KTM , Husqvarna and GasGas motorcycle brands . " Taking on the distribution of the MV Agusta brand will complement our extensive premium motorcycle range . With the addition of the most iconic Italian luxury motorcycle brand to our KTM North America operations , we are able to ensure support to all North American motorcycle enthusiasts , as well as bringing exciting new business opportunities to existing and new dealers ."
Retro Bike Porn - everybody shout a big fat " thank you " to Honda for the 1973 CR250M ' Elsinore ' - harbinger of the " Win on Sunday , sell on Monday " golden era !
14 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2022 www . idnmag . com