Category Archives: motorcycles

New Regulations for Safety, Emissions Hurt Micro-Cars

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

While there is a clear emerging global trend of rising demand for small and inexpensive cars, regulations are increasing their costs. Since 2010, supply by automakers has been growing as they offer products in the range of €10,000 (~$13,000). Some vehicles in this price range are micro-cars, such as the Piaggio, NT3, Renault Twizy ZE, Tata Nano, and Opel Rak-e, all unheard of in the United States. However, there are two A-segment vehicles playing in this space, the Skoda Citigo and Daimler Smart ForTwo, which is on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, motorcycles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Motorcycle Thefts Decrease to One Every 11 Minutes

Posted on 8 October 2012 by Ken Zino

The National Insurance Crime Bureau today said that motorcycle thefts were down 6% in 2011 from their 2010 total. This means 46,667 motorcycles reported stolen in 2011 compared with 49,791 in 2010. The theft rate, which sounds low, actually averages to one motorcycle theft every 11 minutes. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, insurance, litigation, motorcycles, news, news analysis, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Signs Joint Venture to Make Motorcycles in Bangladesh

Posted on 27 September 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company today signed a joint venture agreement with Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) to establish a production and sales joint venture company for motorcycles before the end of 2012. The JV – 70% of shares held by Honda and 30% by BSEC- will produce locally. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, motorcycles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bosch Moves into eScooter Business with Ningbo Polaris

Posted on 16 August 2012 by Ken Zino

The Bosch Group is forming a joint venture with Ningbo Polaris Technology, a Chinese provider of motors for electrically driven scooters or eScooters, with Bosch holding the majority. Ningbo makes and sells eScooter motors in China under the POLTM brand, more than one million in 2011 the output of 450 workers. The global output of eScooters in 2011 was about 27 million units with China making 98% of the production volume. “With a growth rate of 6% annually the market will reach up to 46 million units in 2020”, said Udo Wolz, president of the Bosch Electrical Drives division. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, motorcycles, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Smart Escooter Coming in 2014

Posted on 14 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Daimler has confirmed that the Smart E-Scooter will go on sale in 2014 at an unspecified price. First introduced as a concept from its Chinese studios at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, the fully electric Escooter is part of a range of electric vehicles including the Smart Fourtwo and Smart Ebike that are targeted for the European Union, which wants to ban all internal combustion engines from inner cities. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, motorcycles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Drivers Unaware Motorcycle Lane Splitting is Legal

Posted on 3 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The California Office of Traffic Safety today released results of the first-ever survey of California motorists and motorcycle riders on the subject of lane splitting, where motorcycles travel between two lanes with other vehicles travel ling the same direction. Lane … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, motorcycles, people, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Recalls S 1000 RR Motorcycles for Engine Failures

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Ken Zino

BMW is recalling 2012 S 1000 RR motorcycles because the connecting rod bolts can loosen, leading to sudden engine failures. At least 33 engine failures have been reported globally, BMW said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. No injures have been reported, according to BMW. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, motorcycles, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi Buys Italian Motorcycle Maker Ducati

Posted on 18 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Ducati has manufacturing operations at its headquarters in Bologna and in Thailand. It maintains a series of importer companies in strategic markets. Audi said that the motorcycle market will “enjoy strong growth over the next few years,” especially in Asia where Honda dominates. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, motorcycles, news, performance, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda to Build Another Automobile Plant in Indonesia

Posted on 15 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda is also a force in the Asian motorcycle market. PT Astra Honda Motor, Honda’s joint venture company in Indonesia responsible for motorcycle production and sales, is now going to build its fourth Motorcycle Plant in Indonesia. Total production capacity with the addition of 1,100,000 annual production will be 5,300,000 motorcycles and scooters when the plant opens next year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, motorcycles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Sues MotorScience for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations. More than 24,000 Chinese Vehicles Were Illegally Imported

Posted on 29 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint against MotorScience, Inc. and the owner of the company for allegedly causing the importation of more than 24,000 uncertified vehicles from China that … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment, litigation, motorcycles, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Shows Two Wheel Concept E-Scooter at Motorrad 2011

Posted on 6 July 2011 by Ken Zino

BMW introduced its latest liquid-cooled electric motorcycle – dubbed E-Scooter at its 11th Motorrad Days in Garmish this past weekend. The E-Scooter is said to use motorcycle technology that could make it suitable for a wider range of commuting than current inner-city scooters provide for short trips. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, electric vehicles, motorcycles, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

U.S. Motorcycle Sales Rise During the First Quarter

Posted on 27 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Motorcycle sales among major brands rose 7.2%  in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Not surprisingly the “inexpensive” scooter segment saw the biggest gain, up nearly 50%. Sales … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, motorcycles, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment