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
BMW parts and accessory specialist Wunderlich has been voted as ' Best Brand ' in the accessories and conversions category by the readers of Motorrad magazine in Germany .
Hoya , Germany based distributor Hartje has added a large part of the Dunlop motorcycle and scooter tyre range to its fast-growing portfolio .
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has been reconfirmed as President of Motor Valley Development for a further two-year term . MVD is the association that brings together all the two and four-wheeled brands of the Emilia Romagna region . The sector boasts some 16,500 two and four-wheel related businesses in the area , employing some 90,000 people with an annual turnover of € 16bn , generating € 7bn of exports for the Italian economy .
Suzuki has withdrawn from the British Superbike Championship ahead of the 2023 season . Aligning with its global racing strategy - which saw the termination of its MotoGP project as well as a scaling back of factory support in the Endurance World Championship - and following the departure of the current GSX-R1000R model from European markets - Suzuki has suspended its official involvement in the premier domestic Superbike series .
Triumph Motorcycles - has added no less than six new dealers in Germany - at Wuppertal , Heroldstatt , Birkenfeld , Oberhausen , Munich and Bremen - and three in Austria - Vienna , Haid and Wiener Neustadt .
British crash protection specialist R & G has partnered with the new BMW F900 R Cup , where it will be the sole protection equipment supplier and also sponsor the Challenger Series . The one-make series of races replaces the Ducati Tri- Options Championship and will run alongside the BSB programme and nine UK circuits . ( BDN )
Ideanomics owned Energica has announced that its Energica Inside division has entered two separate partnerships - with French consultant Phenix Air Corp and Czech manufacturer Pure Flight - to develop all-electric solutions for ultra-light and light aircraft .
Kellermann names Tucker as exclusive U . S . distributor
Award-winning Aachen , Germany based lighting specialist Kellermann GmbH is capitalising on the cult-like popularity of its product range in the United States with the appointment of Tucker Powersports as its exclusive distribution partner there . Known for its innovative designs and high-quality precision German manufacturing , its products are already tremendously popular in the custom bike market in the United States - globally in fact - but now Tucker ' s thousands of dealers will have easy access to the full Kellermann product range through all seven of its
Bullet 1000
Atto Dark domestic American warehouses . Kellermann has been manufacturing motorcycle accessories for over 30 years and its turn signals and bullet lights have consistently set industry standards for brightness and style - earning it design awards from the likes of Red Dot and the Chicago Athenaeum [ and International Dealer News ]. Dr . Stefan Woeste , CEO of Kellermann , said : " Together with Tucker and its extensive dealer network , we want to take our brand to the next level in the U . S . market . Tucker shares our passion for technology and product innovation ." Kellermann has worked previously with Tucker ' s Kuryakyn brand to develop the tremendously successful Tracer lighting systems launched in 2021 and 2022 . The company ' s current product line includes lighting products , mounts and related electronics . " Our current Kellermann product line includes powerful , durable , German precision manufactured lighting products , mounts and related electronics . With Tucker , we are preparing for the launch of our newest products in the United States in the next few weeks , products that will reinforce our technology and quality leadership ". www . kellermann-online . com
Kellermann CEO Stefan Woeste
' Dayron ' - ECE-approved intelligent DRL system with smart control
Merlin hires ' Tex ' Mawby for U . S . office
British wax cotton apparel specialist Merlin has opened a United States operation , headed up by former Gerbing , TCX boots and REV ' IT ! man Michael ' Tex ' Mawby as its USA and Canada Country Manager . Prior to joining Merlin North America , Mawby was the Director of Sales and Marketing for Just1 Racing owner H & H Sports Protection ( Torc , Nitek and Origine helmets ). A former amateur road racer , Mawby has previously won four national championships with the AMA , WERA and USCRA racing series in the U . S . Based in Philadelphia , Mawby will be focused on growing Merlin ' s distribution and retail network in the States and Canada . Patrick Franklin ,
Sales Operations Director at Merlin , said : " Over the last ten years , Merlin has grown strongly based on our mission of providing the best protection in motion from our apparel lines . " Built through the highest progressive innovation available , yet ensuring that every rider receives amazing ' bang for their buck '. This is a proposition that has seen Merlin generate almost three quarters of our revenue outside our home market in the UK . Merlin has been supplying into the U . S . since 2016 with an amazing consumer response , so with the interruption of Covid-19 behind us , it is the right time to step our U . S . operations up a level ." www . merlinbikegear . com
8 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL / MAY 2023 www . idnmag . com