International Dealer News 179 July/August 2024 IDN 179 July/August 2024 | Page 18

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Yamaha Motor has announced a technical partnership agreement with UK based race legend Lola Cars Ltd . The deal is for the development and supply of high-performance electric powertrains to be part of an official manufacturer in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship , the world ’ s premier racing series for all-electric single-seater vehicles .
Finland based electric PTW manufacturer Verge Motorcycles will open its first U . S . stores in Los Angeles ( Westfield Century City Shopping Center ) and San Jose ( Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose ), California , in June 2024 . The company opened a U . S . -based Innovation Office in the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco in 2023 .
Bill Melvin ' s Grand Rapids , Michigan based Buell Motorcycle Co . is looking for growth in international markets such as Japan , France , Spain , Brazil , Canada and Italy - markets that have been " instrumental for Buell Motorcycle clubs for decades . After being void in those markets for over ten years ", Melvin says it " plans to regrow global distribution in these markets during the next few years ." In a press release , the company announced that , with the support of the U . S . Small Business Administration and the Michigan Development Corporation , it has hired an experienced internal team to handle international dealers .
Italian brakes manufacturer Brembo reports Q1 , 2024 results with revenues at € 1,004.6m ( up + 5.3 % on a like-for-like exchange rate basis ), with EBITDA at € 176.8m ( 17.6 % margin ), EBIT margin at 11.2 % (€ 112.8 m ) and net profit at € 75.2m . Net investments and increases in leased assets were at € 75.2m and net financial debt at € 529.5m (€ 357.5m prior to the application of IFRS 16 ), up € 23.1m compared to the period to 31 March 2023 .

Evo-X Racing buys the SKeeD protective undergarments brand

After 10 years as distributor for the French market , Evo-X Racing has acquired the SKeeD brand of FFM , FIM , FIM and SFI endorsed protective sport underclothing . Based near Lyon , SKeeD products are an intermediate layer worn by motorcycle racers and sports riders to protect against any material likely to melt during a high-speed skid , such as a synthetic lining . It also helps limit leather-to-skin heat transfer due to its insulating properties and thus limits the risk of burning . SKeeD clothing is especially designed for two-wheeler driving . It is made from French manufactured Kermel fibre , which is used to equip elite forces all over the world , such as firefighters or military aviators . It is a unique fibre , boasting extraordinary properties - a high-technology fibre that is intrinsically non-flammable and meltresistant . " Its qualities also include exceptional comfort and thermal protection , as well as effective moisture management ," says Evo-X Racing and new SKeeD owner Sébastien Aubry . " The deal was sealed with former owner Sébastien Jarrot at the 2024 Salon du Deux Roues in Lyon and new partnerships with French and European teams and dealers are already being established . " With our ten years of experience in the distribution of the SKeeD brand in France , we have decided to integrate SkeeD into the Evo-X family , thus demonstrating our continuity to offer high-quality and innovative products , faithful to the DNA of Evo-X Racing ." Developed by former French pharmaceutical giant Rhône-Poulenc , the qualities of Kermel are remarkable - remaining unchanged regardless of the weather and the number of washes . It is not a flame retardant applied to the mesh , but instead its qualities are characteristics that are integral and specific to the fibre itself and from the design of the garments it is used for . Kermel fibre is a polyamide-imide fibre

Suzuki - 2023 financial year results ( April 2023 to March 2024 )

Suzuki reports total global PTW ( motorcycle and scooter ) unit sales ( including ATV sales ) of 1,912,000 units for its 2023 financial year ( April 2023 to March 2024 inclusive ), which was + 2.4 % over the prior 12 months . European sales were + 27.4 % at 39,000 units , while Nort American sales were down by -5.3 % at 30,000 units and its domestic Japanese unit sales were down by -15.00 % at 39,000 units . Asian sales were + 3.7 % at 1.593 million units , with India its star performer at + 20.4 % ( 891,000 units ), while China was -8.4 % ( 394,000 ) and the Philippines - 16.00 % ( 164,000 units ). Its total , global ATV sales ( USA mostly )
were down by -15.9 % at 12,000 units . Suzuki total global corporate allsegment net sales were 5,374.3bn yen , an increase of 732.6bn yen , mainly due to increases in sales volumes in India and Japan . Profit was up by 105.7bn yen . Total global motorcycle sales revenue was 366.9bn yen (+ 33.8 %, helped by exchange rate fluctuations ), with European motorcycle segment revenue reported as being + 7.7 % at 46.9bn yen . Motorcycle segment sales and profit increased with the operating margin up at 10.6 % despite the slowdown in China and ASEAN markets . Suzuki is forecasting sales of motorcycle units of 1.89 million units for its 2024 financial year ( April 2024 to March 2025 ), which reflects an anticipated 24,000 decrease in unit production .