mika
Still Wondering
The Mothership featured the Motorrad segment this week so the get the MOTORREADS lead this issue.
worldofbmw.com: Real riders on real motorcycles.
Outstanding sales results in 2008 - BMW Motorrad asserts itself in tough market conditions - significant growth for Husqvarna Motorcycles.
01/21/2009
Munich. In tough market conditions, BMW Motorrad has been able to follow up on its record sales of the previous year. In 2008, 101,685 (previous year: 102,467 units) BMW motorcycles were delivered to customers - a slight drop of 0.8%. Clear growth signals were shown especially in the second half of the year. In December, sales were even 9.3% above the level of the previous year at 7,457 units (previous year: 6,821 units).
Despite a decline in motorcycle markets in general, BMW Motorrad saw clear increases in sales in the European markets of Italy, France, Great Britain/Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Greece and Poland as well as Latin America and South Africa amongst others. As a result of the ongoing product offensive, the blue-and-white brand was able to assert itself impressively in the other export markets and in some cases significantly increase market shares.
In Germany, the biggest single market for BMW Motorrad, a total of 18,112 BMW motorcycles were newly registered (previous year: 22,065 units), a decline of 17.9%. Nonetheless BMW Motorrad was able to maintain market leadership in the overall market, which once again declined (minus 8.8 %), as well as in the segment of motorcycles over 500 cc. The BMW share of the total market as of December was 17.3% (previous year: 19.2%), in the segment over 500 cc the market share was 18.1% (previous year: 20.4%).
As in the previous year, the second biggest market for BMW Motorrad was Italy. 15,342 BMW motorcycles (previous year: 14,533 units) were newly registered, an increase of 5.6%. In the Italian market as a whole, in which there was a general decline (total market: minus 8.6%), BMW not only recorded an increase in registrations but was also able to expand its market share to 11.2 % (previous year: 9.7%).
In the USA too, BMW Motorrad's third largest market, the total market declined by 4.6 %. Nonetheless 0.5% more BMW motorcycles were registered by customers than in the previous year, with total sales of 11,831 units (previous year: 11.776 units); at the same time the BMW Motorrad market share increased from 1.7% to 1.8%.
Market development / BMW registrations / BMW market share in other markets:
UK..............: -5,8% / 5.850 units (prev. y.: 5.100 units) / 8,3% (prev. y.: 6,8%)
France........: -3,0% / 8.019 units (prev. y.: 7.590 units) / 7,7% (prev. y.: 7,1%)
South Africa: -8,1% / 3.313 units (prey. y.: 2.762 units) / 12,8% (prey. y.: 9,8%)
Spain........: -20,4% / 10.152 units (prev. y.: 10.384 units) / 9,0% (prev. y.: 7,3%)
The most successful model overall in 2008 was once again the travel enduro BMW R 1200 GS (22,845 units) followed by its sibling model, the R 1200 GS Adventure (12,460 units). As compared to the previous year, 2,298 more units of the R 1200 GS were delivered to customers, while sales of the Adventure were 2,930 units above the previous year.
It was followed in third place by the touring bike R 1200 RT with 11,001 motorcycles delivered.
The F enduro models, not available until March 2008 (autumn 2008: market launch of the F 800 GS overseas), also became sales hits. The F 800 GS achieved sales of 10,261 units, while the F 650 GS achieved 9,644 units and came fifth in the popularity ranking of BMW motorcycles.
Husqvarna Motorcycles grows by about a third.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, the second motorcycle brand of the BMW Group, grew significantly in 2008. The oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in active production delivered 13,511 motorcycles in its first year after being taken over by the BMW Group, a plus of 31% as compared to the previous year. Growth stimuli here came mainly from overseas markets.
BMW Motorrad - the prospects for 2009.
The model range of BMW Motorrad is broader than ever in 2009. In the worlds of experience Enduro, Tour, Urban, Sport and HP there are fascinating motorcycles to meet virtually every taste. The program is complemented with an extensive range of accessories and rider equipment.
As of February, the model revision of the BMW K series will be available to customers - the K 1300 S, K 1300 R and K 1300 GT. The market launch of the first medium category roadster by BMW, the F 800 R, will be in May.
The 2009 season will also see BMW Motorrad's entry into the segment of super sports bikes. The BMW S 1000 RR will enter the Superbike World Championship, the most important racing series for motorcycles close to serial production. The market launch of the standard model will take place later on in the year.
The second racing highlight of the year is BMW's involvement in the sports enduro area. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport Off-Road Team will enter the World Enduro Championship with the G 450 X, as well as taking part in national and international cross country championships.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport - Superbike World Championship - Test at Portimao.
01/21/2009
Munich. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport World Superbike team takes to the track for the first time this year in the stunning Portimao circuit in Portugal
and riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus are all fired up and ready to start their new adventure this season.
This will be the first time Troy and Ruben have swung their legs over the
S 1000 RR this year and the action will all take place in front of all their 2009 rivals, instead of just a few as in the test last November. By the end of the three days, the team will have a better understanding of the task ahead and the four weeks or so afterwards will be taken up analysing the data and getting the bikes ready for the start of the season in Australia.
This year's Superbike World Championship has attracted a record number
of entrants and no less than seven manufacturers will be involved, so
the challenge to the team is a huge one. The team will be at a
disadvantage this season because, unlike most or all of their
competitors, they will not have any previous data with which to work
with when they get to a track.
Each circuit this year will present a new challenge and so Troy, Ruben and the team will have to try and get up to speed with their bike set-ups in record time at every one of the fourteen rounds if they are to have any chance of a good result. This season is not just a 'learning year' because everybody involved is determined to do the very best they can and try and pull off a surprise or two.
BMW-web.tv takes a look back at 2008 WEC
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The Tough One 17.1.2009
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Good speed but bad luck for Knighter at ÔÇÖ09 Tough One
Making his international debut aboard a BMW Motorrad Motorsport G 450 X reigning US GNCC champion David Knight started the ÔÇÖ09 running of The Tough One hoping to claim a fifth consecutive victory at the UKÔÇÖs premier extreme hare scramble event. Never before beaten at the demanding two-hour event, Knight looked set to do exactly as he planned and make it five wins from five starts after opening up a commanding lead just three laps into the race. Frustratingly, shortly after opening up 45-second advantage over his nearest rival David ran into a simple mechanical problem, which forced him out of the event.
Changed so as to start with a Le Mans style get away Knight and the rest of the Pro and Expert class riders were faced with a tiring uphill run to their bikes before heading off on their first lap. Reaching the end of the run second David dropped to fifth after he tangled with eventual race winner Taddy Blazusiak. Quickly up to second David followed Wayne Braybrook for much of the first lap. Passing the Gas Gas rider shortly after the start of lap two Knight then attacked the course to pull himself clear of all other riders. With the hard work done, and looking like he was headed towards Tough One win number five, Knight was then forced to ride back to the pits having experienced a clutch problem.
David Knight: ÔÇ£As disappointed as I am, and I am really disappointed, IÔÇÖm not too frustrated with what happened because I know that my speed was good ÔÇô good enough to win the race easily. IÔÇÖm more disappointed for BMW than myself because I really wanted to win for them. Everyone in the team is working so hard getting everything ready for the new season. The Tough One is the only extreme event IÔÇÖll do before the start of the world championship, which is why I really wanted to compete and win.
ÔÇ£I made a pretty good start and followed Wayne Braybrook for most of the first lap. Once I got past I pushed hard and opened up a 45 second lead in one-lap. I was really enjoying the course, I felt good, and my bike was going great, but on the third lap I had a problem with the clutch and that was that. We donÔÇÖt know what the problem is yet, but itÔÇÖs something simple. WeÔÇÖve tested different clutch components the whole week before the race and everything was fine. I guess thatÔÇÖs the way things can go some times. But like I said IÔÇÖm not too disappointed because I felt really good, and my speed was good.ÔÇØ
Pfeiffer trials to be wild
Last week, temperatures sank to record lows in parts of Germany, as Arctic weather gripped much of the country. However, none of this was bothering DeutschlandÔÇÖs very own Chris Pfeiffer, who was 10,000 kilometres away, basking in the South African summer sunshine at the Red Bull Trial to be Wild road show, where he performed in front of thousands of fans at various venues along the countryÔÇÖs famous Garden Route.
The Trial to be Wild road show took place from 4-11 January and consisted of a series of impromptu and scheduled shows performed by Pfeiffer and local Supermoto and trials extraordinaire Brian Capper. The shows kicked off in Port Elizabeth and stopped all along the Garden Route in places such as JeffreyÔÇÖs Bay, Knysna Quays and George, before ending in Cape Town a week later.
For Chris, it was a fantastic experience to ride in such an impressive country and he welcomed the opportunity to share the stage with Brian Capper. Brian is South AfricaÔÇÖs very own National Supermoto Champion, who started riding motocross at the age of nine, before graduating to trials riding at 11-years-old. He won his first National title at age 18 and has more recently spent a year in America competing in the USA National Supermoto Championships. As he is the world's first rider to do a back flip on a trial bike, he had the respect of Chris, especially as he is also hoping to become a stunt rider just like Pfeiffer.
ÔÇ£Brian and I had a fantastic time performing shows at some amazing places along the coast,ÔÇØ said Chris. ÔÇ£The Red Bull team filmed the whole trip and had promoted it very well with posters, flyers, promo girls etc., so we rode at a variety of venues in front of all sorts of people from all kinds of different backgrounds. For many, it was they first time they had seen me ride, so I had some great reactions ÔÇô especially when we performed at a ÔÇÿWheelz of FuryÔÇÖ event in Cape Town, where the crowd went absolutely crazy!
As news of the Trial to be Wild tour spread among the motorcycling community, locals and tourists, both Chris and Brian found themselves performing to bigger and bigger crowds, but for Pfeiffer the real challenge was adapting to the variety of different surfaces he encountered.
ÔÇ£There was no real chance to practise on this tour, as we just turned up at a town, set-up the rig, arranged the various obstacles and started the shows,ÔÇØ he said. ÔÇ£Some of the venues were quite tight for space, so the routines had to be exactly right, and many of the surfaces we rode on were ÔÇÿblock pavingÔÇÖ which is very slippery and presented quite a challenge in terms of the grip available! It was very interesting to perform to all sorts of people. The first show saw us entertain crowds in quite a deprived area, whereas our final show took place at a posh country club in front of some fairly ÔÇÿhigh societyÔÇÖ people. They couldnÔÇÖt quite believe what they were seeing at first, but their polite applause soon became a lot more vocal and they ended up cheering us, just like everyone at all the other venues!ÔÇØ
Chris also took time out from his busy schedule to make some excellent pictures with the scenic Cape Town cityscape as a backdrop. Once he returns to Germany he will concentrate his efforts on preparing for the forthcoming Indoor Freestyle World Championship event, which takes place in Zurich, Switzerland from 19 to 22 February. There, he will be hoping to ÔÇ£do the tripleÔÇØ and win the competition for the third consecutive year.
I know you all have been waiting for this: Rolls-Royce Motorcars has announced its 2009 base pricing.
