More Distributors are in Zombie land....more on this next week. Blame the banks if you like since consumers are having to apply with up to five companies to get a scooter or a motorcycle financed these days.... more on this over the weekend.
Content
Riding the Yamaha Morphous is like riding the Air Bike from Flash Gordon
Riding the Yamaha Morphous is like riding the Air Bike from Flash Gordon
Is it me or do you get the feeling your Flash Gordon on a Yamaha Morpheus? Not the crappy Sci-fi remake ( before they became Syfy or whatever they call themselves now ), but the only real Flash Gordon the Mike Hodges version with the Queen soundtrack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA4_aqxpAFw
Below is the greatest Flying Scooter scene ever filmed in the history of mankind. If Sam Jones ( guy playing Flash I believe ) had to ride a scooter it would have been the Yamaha ) Bad Ass scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnTHypbLlkE
Is it me or do you get the feeling your Flash Gordon on a Yamaha Morpheus? Not the crappy Sci-fi remake ( before they became Syfy or whatever they call themselves now ), but the only real Flash Gordon the Mike Hodges version with the Queen soundtrack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA4_aqxpAFw
Below is the greatest Flying Scooter scene ever filmed in the history of mankind. If Sam Jones ( guy playing Flash I believe ) had to ride a scooter it would have been the Yamaha ) Bad Ass scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnTHypbLlkE
250CC Scooter TV Spot for Malaguti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOHlEePe4cQ
One of the final Malaguti TV Spots to run in Italy kind of shows what was wrong with the marketing and sales of the marque.
The management instead of focusing on the lucrative mid-level executive in Europe ( Think T-Max by Yamaha ) kept marketing a 200cc entry level sport scooter to teenagers. The videos show two teens in love putting their initials on a lock ( teens all over Italy do this to the detriment of chain fences everywhere )
Back in the day Malaguti had some very adult TV spots running at night for the Madison launch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBeqGc9wjdA
Even in the US marketing we tried to associate with Ducati, Ferrari, and Peroni at national events to steer the brand towards more adult riders. Even Playboy, Maxim, and GQ all featured Malaguti at one point giving it a more adult setting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGC5xseIgCQ
Somehow the 15 to 18 year old demographic stuck as the Malaguti targeted younger riders in Italy. This image would even cross oceans as both dealers and consumers saw it as a starter bike. More than one person has told me "my first bike was an F10 or an F12" before they went on to buy a Honda or a Ducati motorcycle.
It's a real shame, the brand still has a chance of coming back despite all the negativity out there, but more than likely will fade into the oblivion of made in China stickers like much the Italian shoe, textile, motorcycle, you name it industries. Italy is even importing cheaper forms of food according to the Economist magazine some of it from Asia meaning its not even worth it to farm the land in a country known for the quality of its food supply. Until the country get's it act together Malaguti won't be the last brand to fade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ntbTUNyyY
I was on South Beach this past weekend and I found one of the original 2002 units I imported 9 years ago and it was in great shape. We still have all the parts for it at http://www.mrp-speed.com and to tell you the truth its still in better shape than a new 50cc Asian bike that might be only a few months old.
Now for proper marketing look no further than Yamaha. Their ads, their promotions, and even the features have an adult in mind. Just take a look at what Yamaha did right in this video. They put a lot of thought in their vehicle sales almost as much as the development of the product itself. Not just a scooter, something better than most motorcycles. If anyone is to save a brand like Malaguti they need a plan that goes like something below with the features Italians wanted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOf7XyL_A_k
Parts are still available for the brand as well.
MRP sells Malaguti scooter parts. F-10, F-12, F-15, F-18, Grizzly, Ciak, Ciak 150cc, F-18 150cc, and the retro Yesterday 50cc http://www.mrp-speed.com
All the manuals for all the malaguti moto scooters plus part numbers are available on our website. Need to fix, repair, or buy parts for your malaguti moto scooter? We got the Malaguti Parts! Contact us today or buy from a local MRP DEALER
THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GET MALAGUTI PARTS IN NORTH AMERICA
How do I buy Malaguti Parts
Malaguti Grizzly RCX machines are powered by Franco Morini 2-stroke engines. Models available in 2006 include MALAGUTI GRIZZLY RCX10, RCX12 & SUPERMOTO. There is also a 49.3cc Quad. The scooter range includes the 50cc Yesterday, a very cute scoot indeed available 2000-2005 (and other years, most likely) and the 125/250/400cc Madison. The Madison 125 is powered by a Yamaha YP125 engine. Formerly sold in the USA the parts are still available from MRP. Martin Racing Performance has 12,000 items in stock including all the OEM Parts for Malaguti Scooters sold in North America. HOW DO YOU BUY THEM? SIMPLE GO ONLINE AND GET THE MANUAL, PART NUMBER, AND BUY ONLINE OR FROM A DEALER
Manualshttp://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm
Stocking Dealer locator http://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.php
MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models) CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts
One of the final Malaguti TV Spots to run in Italy kind of shows what was wrong with the marketing and sales of the marque.
The management instead of focusing on the lucrative mid-level executive in Europe ( Think T-Max by Yamaha ) kept marketing a 200cc entry level sport scooter to teenagers. The videos show two teens in love putting their initials on a lock ( teens all over Italy do this to the detriment of chain fences everywhere )
Back in the day Malaguti had some very adult TV spots running at night for the Madison launch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBeqGc9wjdA
Even in the US marketing we tried to associate with Ducati, Ferrari, and Peroni at national events to steer the brand towards more adult riders. Even Playboy, Maxim, and GQ all featured Malaguti at one point giving it a more adult setting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGC5xseIgCQ
Somehow the 15 to 18 year old demographic stuck as the Malaguti targeted younger riders in Italy. This image would even cross oceans as both dealers and consumers saw it as a starter bike. More than one person has told me "my first bike was an F10 or an F12" before they went on to buy a Honda or a Ducati motorcycle.
It's a real shame, the brand still has a chance of coming back despite all the negativity out there, but more than likely will fade into the oblivion of made in China stickers like much the Italian shoe, textile, motorcycle, you name it industries. Italy is even importing cheaper forms of food according to the Economist magazine some of it from Asia meaning its not even worth it to farm the land in a country known for the quality of its food supply. Until the country get's it act together Malaguti won't be the last brand to fade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ntbTUNyyY
I was on South Beach this past weekend and I found one of the original 2002 units I imported 9 years ago and it was in great shape. We still have all the parts for it at http://www.mrp-speed.com and to tell you the truth its still in better shape than a new 50cc Asian bike that might be only a few months old.
Now for proper marketing look no further than Yamaha. Their ads, their promotions, and even the features have an adult in mind. Just take a look at what Yamaha did right in this video. They put a lot of thought in their vehicle sales almost as much as the development of the product itself. Not just a scooter, something better than most motorcycles. If anyone is to save a brand like Malaguti they need a plan that goes like something below with the features Italians wanted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOf7XyL_A_k
Parts are still available for the brand as well.
MRP sells Malaguti scooter parts. F-10, F-12, F-15, F-18, Grizzly, Ciak, Ciak 150cc, F-18 150cc, and the retro Yesterday 50cc http://www.mrp-speed.com
All the manuals for all the malaguti moto scooters plus part numbers are available on our website. Need to fix, repair, or buy parts for your malaguti moto scooter? We got the Malaguti Parts! Contact us today or buy from a local MRP DEALER
THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GET MALAGUTI PARTS IN NORTH AMERICA
How do I buy Malaguti Parts
Malaguti Grizzly RCX machines are powered by Franco Morini 2-stroke engines. Models available in 2006 include MALAGUTI GRIZZLY RCX10, RCX12 & SUPERMOTO. There is also a 49.3cc Quad. The scooter range includes the 50cc Yesterday, a very cute scoot indeed available 2000-2005 (and other years, most likely) and the 125/250/400cc Madison. The Madison 125 is powered by a Yamaha YP125 engine. Formerly sold in the USA the parts are still available from MRP. Martin Racing Performance has 12,000 items in stock including all the OEM Parts for Malaguti Scooters sold in North America. HOW DO YOU BUY THEM? SIMPLE GO ONLINE AND GET THE MANUAL, PART NUMBER, AND BUY ONLINE OR FROM A DEALER
Manualshttp://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm
Stocking Dealer locator http://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.php
MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models) CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts
Finding more than just generic parts that's what we do
I think most consumers are getting fed up with dealers that sold products from companies that closed. More than a few have some insane lawsuits going on that are making some of the Chinese importers nervous. Lemon Laws and Vehicles vary from state to state but there's a reason a lot of brands don't sell in Arizona or California two states with good consumer laws and hard to get distributor requirements. In California you have to get an FBI background check and that still doesn't prevent situations like the one we saw like Roketa a few years back. In Arizona a trip to the dealer for the same problem covered under warranty can fetch a consumer a new bike or their money back. Some states like Florida if its a lemon you might be stuck if its under 100cc's.
It's a difficult situation for all sides. Dealers barely have time to run a shop, but to have to track down parts it's even more difficult. I've been on both sides as a consumer I went to the car dealership this past week and the dealer couldn't find a part for a car less than 2 years old because the system only sells it as part of a bigger part. I end up having to explain the same situation to clients all the time.
Even here in Miami the capital of scooter distributors we've lost more than a few importers and distributors the last few years. United Motors closed, Italica Motors is now gone, American Scooters a PGO importer folded, and some companies like Zongshen are phasing out their US Scooter importation business. Just this week I went to warehouse to go visit one of our ATV parts suppliers and they had folded a few months back but I hadn't heard about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4n0css5TQM
That's why I see what we do as a service. Today another person thanked us for helping them find a part. They were being sued. They finally sold a scooter that had sat on their showroom floor for three years due to the poor economy. They sold it, and immediately it went bad. The only company ( after calling every single possible competitor out there ) that had this part was MRP. We found it, we shipped it, and today the rider called off the suits. He had lawyered up and was demanding a quick resolution to the problem.
We sold Malaguti parts today back to the UK and Benelli part to Canada. Unbelievable, but it just goes to show how we help dealers everywhere.
There is a need for what we do. It's not glamorous. We might never see the boom of 2007 in scooter sales again, but dealers and consumers need parts. We got them. More parts than anyone else in the country for Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish scooters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26tC6tdYDOk
We spend our days counting parts for all the brands that have left the market. Even ADLY Scooters and ATVs which left and closed their US office a few years back they appointed Hammerhead as their scooter distributor, but we get daily calls for their ATVs. We have them! Nobody else is stocking them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbB50aXaG-Q
TO FIND OEM PARTS USE THE MANUALS:
Manuals
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm
MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models) CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts.
Every scooter is someone's first ride we help the dealers and consumers find those hard to find parts. Doesn't matter what brand it is we've been doing the Chinese scooter parts thing since 2004 so we can help you find the right part.
Since January 2009 MRP has expanded by acquiring the QJ -- Keeway Southeast distribution parts warehouse the Diamo USA / LS Motorsports / Italjet USA parts warehouse CPI -- TAIWAN Distribution and TNG Scooters.
The company has OEM parts for Malaguti scooters of Italy Benelli (acquired by QJ in 2006) the Italian brand now made in China and sold in the USA under the Andretti name MH Motorhispania of Spain RX Loncin Lifan Linhai Zongshen Wangye MS UTVs and CPI Taiwan. In addition the company distributes performance parts from Athena Malossi Turbo Kit Innova Vee Rubber Duro Bando Gates Powerlink Posh Maxxis Namura Scooter Ninja Slipstreamer and MRP.
Products carried by MRP can be obtain exclusively at select Motorcycle Dealerships and Repair Shops in the USA. MRP is the one stop wholesale ONLY scooter buggy and ATV parts distributor. For a list of retailers visit www.mrp-speed.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCzvJfUDeCk
The one stop shop for all your scooter needs!
MRP parts, Scooter Parts, Racing Parts, Malossi, Polini, Dr Pulley, Scooter Ninja, Bando, Gates, Slipstreamer, Zuma 125, BW125, GY6, Chinese Scooter Parts, Scooter Accessories, Gas Scooter Parts, Electric Scooter Parts, Asian Scooter Parts, Parts for scooters, Parts 4 Scooters, Performance Scooter Parts, HP Scooter Parts, Stock Scooter Parts, Razor Scooter Parts, Honda Scooter Parts, Yamaha Scooter Parts, CFMOTO Parts, Jonway Parts, and more!Genuine SYM, Hyosung, TNG Scooter parts. Everyday we add more OEM scooter only parts to our website http://www.mrp-speed.com
It's a difficult situation for all sides. Dealers barely have time to run a shop, but to have to track down parts it's even more difficult. I've been on both sides as a consumer I went to the car dealership this past week and the dealer couldn't find a part for a car less than 2 years old because the system only sells it as part of a bigger part. I end up having to explain the same situation to clients all the time.
Even here in Miami the capital of scooter distributors we've lost more than a few importers and distributors the last few years. United Motors closed, Italica Motors is now gone, American Scooters a PGO importer folded, and some companies like Zongshen are phasing out their US Scooter importation business. Just this week I went to warehouse to go visit one of our ATV parts suppliers and they had folded a few months back but I hadn't heard about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4n0css5TQM
That's why I see what we do as a service. Today another person thanked us for helping them find a part. They were being sued. They finally sold a scooter that had sat on their showroom floor for three years due to the poor economy. They sold it, and immediately it went bad. The only company ( after calling every single possible competitor out there ) that had this part was MRP. We found it, we shipped it, and today the rider called off the suits. He had lawyered up and was demanding a quick resolution to the problem.
We sold Malaguti parts today back to the UK and Benelli part to Canada. Unbelievable, but it just goes to show how we help dealers everywhere.
There is a need for what we do. It's not glamorous. We might never see the boom of 2007 in scooter sales again, but dealers and consumers need parts. We got them. More parts than anyone else in the country for Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish scooters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26tC6tdYDOk
We spend our days counting parts for all the brands that have left the market. Even ADLY Scooters and ATVs which left and closed their US office a few years back they appointed Hammerhead as their scooter distributor, but we get daily calls for their ATVs. We have them! Nobody else is stocking them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbB50aXaG-Q
TO FIND OEM PARTS USE THE MANUALS:
Manuals
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm
MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models) CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts.
Every scooter is someone's first ride we help the dealers and consumers find those hard to find parts. Doesn't matter what brand it is we've been doing the Chinese scooter parts thing since 2004 so we can help you find the right part.
Since January 2009 MRP has expanded by acquiring the QJ -- Keeway Southeast distribution parts warehouse the Diamo USA / LS Motorsports / Italjet USA parts warehouse CPI -- TAIWAN Distribution and TNG Scooters.
The company has OEM parts for Malaguti scooters of Italy Benelli (acquired by QJ in 2006) the Italian brand now made in China and sold in the USA under the Andretti name MH Motorhispania of Spain RX Loncin Lifan Linhai Zongshen Wangye MS UTVs and CPI Taiwan. In addition the company distributes performance parts from Athena Malossi Turbo Kit Innova Vee Rubber Duro Bando Gates Powerlink Posh Maxxis Namura Scooter Ninja Slipstreamer and MRP.
Products carried by MRP can be obtain exclusively at select Motorcycle Dealerships and Repair Shops in the USA. MRP is the one stop wholesale ONLY scooter buggy and ATV parts distributor. For a list of retailers visit www.mrp-speed.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCzvJfUDeCk
The one stop shop for all your scooter needs!
MRP parts, Scooter Parts, Racing Parts, Malossi, Polini, Dr Pulley, Scooter Ninja, Bando, Gates, Slipstreamer, Zuma 125, BW125, GY6, Chinese Scooter Parts, Scooter Accessories, Gas Scooter Parts, Electric Scooter Parts, Asian Scooter Parts, Parts for scooters, Parts 4 Scooters, Performance Scooter Parts, HP Scooter Parts, Stock Scooter Parts, Razor Scooter Parts, Honda Scooter Parts, Yamaha Scooter Parts, CFMOTO Parts, Jonway Parts, and more!Genuine SYM, Hyosung, TNG Scooter parts. Everyday we add more OEM scooter only parts to our website http://www.mrp-speed.com
New QMB139 Flat Black Race Exhaust
GY6 50 Performance Crossover Exhaust from Naraku Looking for that two stroke racing style but have a four stroke well here you go two stroke style for GY6 50 Four Stroke. Please choose your look. The Naraku crossover GY6 50 exhaust will derstrict your stock exhaust plus get rid of that weight of the stock exhaust. FLAT BLACK NARAKU RACE QMB139 Race Exhaust RP-NK400.01 Item Nr.: NK400.01 EAN/UPC: 4250362417039 139QMB GY6 50cc Exhaust.
In stock now and available from your local MRP dealer.
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/rp-nk400-01--800048B8-1316127743.jsp
In stock now and available from your local MRP dealer.
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/rp-nk400-01--800048B8-1316127743.jsp
New Items in Stock Naraku, Stage6, Kymco Quanon Exhausts, Honda Zoomer GP, and more!
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Exhausts in Stock Quanon 150, Agility 125, Kymco 300cc, Honda Ruckus Zoomer and more!
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Exhausts-in-stock-Quanon-150--Xciting-300i--Agility-125--Zuma-125--BW100.html?soid=1101623327333&aid=x4dOgLlJTSE
Read more »
Kymco Quanon 150 Race Exhaust in stock!
KYMCO Bet and Win 250
In stock now
Stock up on the best selling TK Exhausts available only from MRP including the Ruckus GP
| RUCKUS ZOOMER WITH TK EXHAUST SPAIN |
Call us today to order 305-599-8993
| Kymco Grand Dink 250cc TK Exhaust Sound |
KYMCO Bet and Win 250
In stock now
TK PRODUCTS ARE MADE IN SPAIN DELIVERING THE BEST PERFORMANCE
MONEY CAN BUY. STOCK THE BEST IN YOUR STORE STARTING ONLY AT $140
NEW MODELS
Interesting Details in Piaggio Press Release
Some interesting hints on the future of European Scooter Production came out in the latest Piaggio press release.
Chief Executive Roberto Colaninno believes that Piaggio will have sales of 100,000 units in 2011, two years ahead of schedule. This is largely due to production from Vietnam and India, ( see the video I posted from my trip to Vietnam on the gigantic city factory they built over there )
On mature European markets, Piaggio unveiled further details on the relaunch of its classic Moto Guzzi motorbike brand, which one analyst had said was unclear.
"I only want to say we are satisfied with the sales we are doing (in Asia) that offset the fall in sales in Europe," Colaninno said at a news conference in northern Italy for the 90th anniversary of the Moto Guzzi brand.
In the first eight months of 2011, the company posted a 3.2 percent rise in worldwide sales to about 453,000 vehicles.
"In 2014, we think we will be 50 percent Europe and 50 percent Asia," he said, declining to give a sales forecast for the year.
Sales of Piaggio scooters in Asia soared to account for more than a third of the group's revenue last year, from 10 percent in 2003.
After reading the release and my updates on production from Vespa the last few years I can honestly say expect to see more outsourcing of the Aprilia, Derbi, and Piaggio brands. It's too expensive to manufacture them in Italy and more than likely you will see more of this coming from the JV with ZONGSHEN.
Even in Taiwan a mature market they have relaunched the New Vespa boutique idea and are selling fewer than 1,000 pieces there at the time. Only time will tell what this means for the "made in Italy" brand.
The real question as an American is where does Piaggio see the US and Canadian markets? Especially after getting rid of the Canadian distributor and merging the operation with the US offices?
What about Derbi? What is going on with the factory in Spain and is the move to close the factory an indicator of where things are going in Europe?
Will we continue to see Gillera as a Europe only brand?
More questions than answers about the state of Italy, but at least we know there is growth in Asia.
Going the extra mile
It's not often that we solve matters that actually affect people's lives, but I want to tell you about one case in particular. We got this strange call looking for a part that we have, but have never sold. I asked Eduardo to run into the warehouse and take a picture of the item. It's a little hectic here at MRP when you add twenty parts a day and have a backlog of 7,000 pictures from all the companies that have gone bust, but if we get a request we will run and do it immediately. So don't be afraid to call and ask or email us. It was late and everyone wanted to get out of the office. Turns out we had the right part. So I get a call back and the client is happy after seeing it online and we had to urgently Fed Ex those parts out.
I stayed extra late at the office to make sure Fed Ex Express picked up this urgent package for a client who had been searching for months for a part. I had to be somewhere, but after hearing this story I made sure we didn't close until the package went out.
We don't have all the parts, but when we do its nice to know they have a great story behind them. If you need Linhai parts or parts for any distributor that's gone out of business please make sure to check with us.
I'm glad there are people like Gary Cowan who will push and try to make a difference.
The Scooter Maven
I stayed extra late at the office to make sure Fed Ex Express picked up this urgent package for a client who had been searching for months for a part. I had to be somewhere, but after hearing this story I made sure we didn't close until the package went out.
We don't have all the parts, but when we do its nice to know they have a great story behind them. If you need Linhai parts or parts for any distributor that's gone out of business please make sure to check with us.
I'm glad there are people like Gary Cowan who will push and try to make a difference.
The Scooter Maven
Joel,
Thank you so much for getting the Linhai shaft out today,you have no idea how much it means. I have sent numerous parts requeststo Linhai (I’m sure you are surprised that I received no response). Infact, the only call or response I have received in past 30 days to my numerousemails was a phone call trying to get us to buy more units. Although Ilike the product, I cannot give my customers that kind of product support….
After being turned down for assistance by Linhai Canada(over territory issues), we even attempted to have a Canadian dealer order theparts and send them over to us. The dealer seemed to be in no hurry, sowe contacted American Gear, many custom driveshaft builders, and several localfab shops to see if they could construct something. In the meantime, as Iexplained to everyone involved on all sides of the border, the customer isrunning out of time and this UTV has been down for quite awhile. It nevercrossed my mind that you would have this shaft !
W is in his early 40’s, has a wife and severalsons. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease about 8 months ago witha prognosis of 12 months. Helluva good guy, says he’s doing his best toteach his sons everything a father should inside 12 months. This UTV isthe only way for him to get around outdoors, and all the man wants is to getoutside and enjoy the little bit of Michigan summer that’s left by taking hisboys hunting. He has been planning this for several months and it meansthe absolute world to him since it will be his last chance.
We even offered him our personal machines, but he uses acrutch to brake and don’t want to damage our stuff. Honestly, he’s such agood soul that I wouldn’t care if he destroyed anything that belonged to mewhile enjoying time with his kids. At the end of day, I will have manymore years with my kids. Can you imagine being a man that knows hewon’t? It’s nice to know that at least one other company in this industryis concerned about the end user, and we greatly appreciate your quickassistance in seeing this through. His family knows the runaround we havebeen receiving, and they will be moved beyond words. So again, thank youfor helping us make it happen.
Gary Cowan
Visit our website at:
The only company in the US with correct Franco Morini TGB Hyosung parts
Ok, we get calls for the two different versions of the Xpeed Scooter by United Motors.
The first version is the same as the Vento and CPI the second post 2006 version is the same as the Hyosung SF50R.
MRP is the only company in the USA that has both sets of OEM parts and racing parts for both models. PERIOD. Nobody else stocks these. Those that claim they do sell incorrect parts all the time. The truth is you can only use Hyosung parts on the Xpeed made in Korea.
Call us with the OEM part number or look it up in the links below.
HYOSUNG PRIMA 50R Franco Morini enigne: Hyosung SF50R SAME ENGINE AS THE TGB 50cc Lineup. plus MRP has racing Hyosung clutches, variators, sliders, exhausts, CDIs something NO OTHER DISTRIBUTOR HAS IN STOCK.
Use this manual for the OEM NUMBERS
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/REPAIR%20MANUALS/UM/12.01.10/2006%20Xpeed%2050R.pdf
Xpeed 50cc B08 CPI Oiliver 50cc and more! Same as Diamo Xtreeme 50cc Vento 50cc
MINARELLI JOG 12mm PISTON PIN Wangye 2 Stroke 1PE40QMB Minarelli
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/REPAIR%20MANUALS/X-PEED50%20JOG%20Minarelli%20Engine%2012mm.pdf
Click here for Parts for the United Motors Xpeed 50R scooter. This scooter features 50cc 2-stroke 1PE40QMB Minarelli based engine.
The first version is the same as the Vento and CPI the second post 2006 version is the same as the Hyosung SF50R.
MRP is the only company in the USA that has both sets of OEM parts and racing parts for both models. PERIOD. Nobody else stocks these. Those that claim they do sell incorrect parts all the time. The truth is you can only use Hyosung parts on the Xpeed made in Korea.
Call us with the OEM part number or look it up in the links below.
HYOSUNG PRIMA 50R Franco Morini enigne: Hyosung SF50R SAME ENGINE AS THE TGB 50cc Lineup. plus MRP has racing Hyosung clutches, variators, sliders, exhausts, CDIs something NO OTHER DISTRIBUTOR HAS IN STOCK.
Use this manual for the OEM NUMBERS
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/REPAIR%20MANUALS/UM/12.01.10/2006%20Xpeed%2050R.pdf
Xpeed 50cc B08 CPI Oiliver 50cc and more! Same as Diamo Xtreeme 50cc Vento 50cc
MINARELLI JOG 12mm PISTON PIN Wangye 2 Stroke 1PE40QMB Minarelli
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/REPAIR%20MANUALS/X-PEED50%20JOG%20Minarelli%20Engine%2012mm.pdf
Click here for Parts for the United Motors Xpeed 50R scooter. This scooter features 50cc 2-stroke 1PE40QMB Minarelli based engine.
Kymco once again number one in Taiwan Sales
Once again Kymco leads the pack, see my previous report on sales in Germany and Italy. Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. took 41.4% share (selling 25,246 units) in August and 171,153 units (40.0% share) in the first eight months, a 52.8% YoY shipment growth.
Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd. (SYM) fell to No. 3 in August by selling 16,061 units, or 26.3% market share. Yamaha Motor Taiwan Co. (Yamaha brand) took a 26.4% market share by selling 16,089 units in August (21,982 units in July), and sold 119,371 new PTWs in Taiwan in the first eight months, up 13.5% YoY for 27.9% share.
Several brands do not sell in Taiwan or sell such few numbers that they make up the 21,375 units on the chart. Local assemblers include HARTFORD Scooters, PGO Scooters ( badged genuine in the USA ), CPI, ETON. There are few other foreign OEMs in the sale charts including several Chinese imports, Vespa, and Honda Japan.
Some companies are now export only or have pulled out of the scooter market such as Keen Perception Industries KPI, and TGB which is for export only. Those brands do not appear in the 21,375 count.
| New PTW Sales in Taiwan (January-Aug. 2011) | |||||
| Maker | Aug. Volume | Market Share | Jan.-Aug. Volume | Market Share | YoY |
| KYMCO | 25,246 | 41.4% | 171,153 | 40.0% | 52.8% |
| SYM | 16,061 | 26.3% | 115,990 | 27.1% | 38.0% |
| Yamaha Taiwan | 16,089 | 26.4% | 119,371 | 27.9% | 13.5% |
| Others | 3,594 | 5.9% | 21,375 | 5.0% | -- |
| Total | 60,990 | 100.0% | 427,889 | 100.0% | 36.2% |
| Source: MOTC | |||||
America Must Promote Electric Scooters!
I feel its my duty to start writing about this since as I write this the United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is getting a demonstration of Zero's 2011 electric motorcycle product line. I hope he can go over to the SBA and to the Department of Energy and get them to cut all the red tape involved with the assembly of EV bikes.
Right now I have over 3 Chinese factories begging the Scooter Maven to assemble vehicles for them. I have the business plan, we applied for grants ( we got a few ), but after doing the math its impossible to assemble in America. It's not just a cost issue. It's a demand issue.
Who is buying ZERO Bikes? Its like the name implies ZERO. I was a consultant for the old Vectrix and I've written about this numerous times. The industry push has to be met with demand on the consumer side. Right now besides a few greenies in California it's not there. You need to have the Postal Service, Police Departments, and local Municipalities buy Green, but not just any green because they will buy the worse vehicle out there, but to buy GREEN THAT WORKS.
We are loosing the next phase of the Solar / Electric / Scooter / Motorcycle race to Asia. Why? Because all that people do is wonder what is in it for them. The cities with the grant money want you to sign unrealistic job creation agreements, the Obama Administration wants unrealistic returns and when they do lend money its part of a bigger promise nobody can meet. Look at what happened to the solar power company SOLYNDRA. Nepotism, government croonies, and money that gets fed to the $300,000 a year CEO does not make the average citizen drive an electric motorcycle or put solar panels on top of his building.
We need a policy that works, we need one clear vision and so far this Administration has done nothing for the motorcycle industry in this sector. The MIC just wants less regulation what it should be calling for are politicians with brains and a clear path for our country.
There are more electric scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles in use in one Asian city right now than in all of North America. If we don't catch up we'll be left behind in the next frontier of motorcycling. Sad for the guys who practically invented the art of motorcycles.
Benelli turned 100 this week
Happy Birthday to Benelli a once made in Italy brand which is now like any global brand mostly Chinese made. Next weekend Moto Guzzi now part of Piaggio Group turns 90 years old.
Piaggio founded in 1884
Malaguti and Moto Morini both 1930 now both on the edge of not coming back as brand.
At least we can celebrate Benelli a company who survived several downturns and is in its latest phase with QJ ownership (owners of Generic, Keeway Group, and Benelli Motorcycles)
The motorcycles are still mostly made in Italy, but the scooters come 100% from China. If you need QJ parts and Benelli parts MRP has them http://www.mrp-speed.com
Where to get Hyosung and United Motors Parts
Where to get Hyosung and United Motors Parts
I got a few emails about the last post on Hyosung getting out of the US Scooter Market. As of right now the factory in Korea I have confirmed has stopped all production of the scooters.
So yes, MRP we got the parts. Manuals
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Uk__NG2Fo
How to find United Motors Parts.
Are you looking for parts for United Motors of America? Then MRP has the solution for you! http://www.mrp-speed.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_seaQGr04
HYOSUNG
Founded in South Korea in 1978, Hyosung was established as a joint venture with Suzuki, which relationship continued well over 25 years. With research and development facilities currently in Hamamatsu, Japan, Hyosung vehicles have quickly become synonymous with performance and dependability. Currently available in 80 markets worldwide, Hyosung has become a global manufacturer of quality "driven" motorcycles, scooters and ATVs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN1pQMJvH3Q
Do you need to find parts for a United Motors dirtbike, scooter, atv, or motorcycle? Need Chongqing HuanSong Industries UTV parts? Hyosung S&T Motors Scooter parts? How about an LS Motorsports Precision or Diamo? CFMOTO? TNG? Linhai? Malaguti Italy? Does your local shop not know what these names mean? Are you looking for parts for scooters and having a hard time? Well then visit one of our dealers and have them give us a call. We are the only scooter parts distributor in the USA that is solely dealer direct and we are happy to send any potential online inquiries to stocking stores. So any consumers looking for Daelim parts will have to go to a store with an MRP account or have their store buy from another dealer that has an account with us. We also sell top name scooter brands like SN, Duro, Innova, Kenda, Bridgestone, Gates, Powerlink, We have partsforscooters for hard to find brands like United Motors -- Hyosung Scooters! Twist N Go Scooters! ATK Motors AKM, PFS, Andretti Benelli and much much more! Keeway Malaguti Linhai Loncin Huanson UTVs Qiangjiang Motorcycles Linhai Zongseh Lingyuen CF MOTO Loncin Lifan and more! Dealer locatorhttp://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.php MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI), select models of CF Moto, Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway, Vento, QJ, Andretti, Yamati models), CPI Taiwan, Powersports Factory Brands PSF, Diamo, Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers), as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters, Lance, BMS, Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts. http://www.mrp-speed.com
I got a few emails about the last post on Hyosung getting out of the US Scooter Market. As of right now the factory in Korea I have confirmed has stopped all production of the scooters.
So yes, MRP we got the parts. Manuals
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Uk__NG2Fo
How to find United Motors Parts.
Are you looking for parts for United Motors of America? Then MRP has the solution for you! http://www.mrp-speed.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_seaQGr04
HYOSUNG
Founded in South Korea in 1978, Hyosung was established as a joint venture with Suzuki, which relationship continued well over 25 years. With research and development facilities currently in Hamamatsu, Japan, Hyosung vehicles have quickly become synonymous with performance and dependability. Currently available in 80 markets worldwide, Hyosung has become a global manufacturer of quality "driven" motorcycles, scooters and ATVs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN1pQMJvH3Q
Do you need to find parts for a United Motors dirtbike, scooter, atv, or motorcycle? Need Chongqing HuanSong Industries UTV parts? Hyosung S&T Motors Scooter parts? How about an LS Motorsports Precision or Diamo? CFMOTO? TNG? Linhai? Malaguti Italy? Does your local shop not know what these names mean? Are you looking for parts for scooters and having a hard time? Well then visit one of our dealers and have them give us a call. We are the only scooter parts distributor in the USA that is solely dealer direct and we are happy to send any potential online inquiries to stocking stores. So any consumers looking for Daelim parts will have to go to a store with an MRP account or have their store buy from another dealer that has an account with us. We also sell top name scooter brands like SN, Duro, Innova, Kenda, Bridgestone, Gates, Powerlink, We have partsforscooters for hard to find brands like United Motors -- Hyosung Scooters! Twist N Go Scooters! ATK Motors AKM, PFS, Andretti Benelli and much much more! Keeway Malaguti Linhai Loncin Huanson UTVs Qiangjiang Motorcycles Linhai Zongseh Lingyuen CF MOTO Loncin Lifan and more! Dealer locatorhttp://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.php MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI), select models of CF Moto, Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway, Vento, QJ, Andretti, Yamati models), CPI Taiwan, Powersports Factory Brands PSF, Diamo, Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers), as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters, Lance, BMS, Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts. http://www.mrp-speed.com
Is Italy finally taking the Malaguti bankruptcy seriously?
Is Italy finally taking the Malaguti bankruptcy seriously?
Sometimes I read this stuff and I get my hopes up. Then I call my friends in Italy and its the same old story.
For those of you following the blog or the articles on Motorcycle USA regarding the failure of the Italian government, Malaguti, and the Unions to come to an agreement on how to save this prestigious firm it seems the press in Italy has finally woken up. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/7/9852/Motorcycle-Article/Italys-Malaguti-Scooters-on-the-Brink.aspx
This week alone several articles have hit the press online. The protests are starting up again. It's a comedy and you can't even make this stuff up because it could only happen in Italy where people go on vacation in August and forget that they won't have a job in October. "Ok guys let's go to the beach and when we come back in September we will start the protests again!" its exactly what happened. At least the Greeks would be burning something and setting a bus stop on fire, but in Italy they are a little more civilized as the Chinese motorcycle industry slowly destroys whats left of Italian production.
Right now according to the economist magazine September 10th edition there are 44 million people unemployed in the Western Economies (OECD) this would be equal to Spain's population. In America we have close 14 million people and who knows how many undocumented unemployed workers right now. The only thing we see happening in Europe and in America is talk of tax rebates, stimulus dollars, and more projects to hire on a massive scale. I think what Europe and America needs is a boost in the arm much like the car industry received back when the financial crisis started. We have over 15 idle factories in Europe in the motorcycle sector that are under capacity right now or on the verge of closing. Including Derbi Spain which is about to close. The most famous of all of these is the Malaguti factory. The last remaining independent family owned operation who is tired of loosing money and is trying to close on purpose. Why would an entrepreneur do such a thing? Because in Europe the laws will drain you dry in order to keep people employed. While their competitors in China get better kickbacks for keeping people employed Malaguti has been unable to compete with the rising tide of less expensive Asian imports. Nonetheless there is a solid argument for reasons they should be saved.
Several articles appears online this week most of them repeating the same information without mentioning the deals or possible investors by name ( it just goes to show there is no investigative reporting anymore in the motorcycle industry unless its paid by a behind the scenes advertiser )
http://parma.repubblica.it/dettaglio-news/16:41/4032049
http://www.viaemilianet.it/notizia.php?id=8461
http://www.omnimoto.it/magazine/7847/malaguti-moto-sta-per-chiudere-licenziamento-per-160-dipendenti-fiom-regione-emilia-romagna
What all these magazines fail to mention is how I brought several qualified investors to the table only to be ignored by the Malaguti family, Regione Emilia Romaga Graziano Prantoni who by all means is incompetent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doToyGMEFjs
One group of investors had a net worth of over $30million and asked for majority shares and for the Malaguti family to make concessions in production. Nobody budged. It's better to destroy the Italian economy, fire everyone, than to let US investors come in and take over. I suspect the real reason again is that Malaguti will continue much like Benelli and Garelli as a Chinese brand. Once the employees are fired they will go back to importing ensuring that all future production will not truly be Italian which is what made Malaguti special in the first place.
The situation in the Italian motorcycle industry is as bad as the US mortgage crisis in my opinion. Banks would rather demolish a brand new house or foreclose on it than to budge and refinance certain buyers.
Why refinance when you can write it off as a loss? Why not reduce the value of the property and get some income instead of none? Malaguti has its back to the wall. The requirements of the Italian Unions and the employee costs are so high they cannot compete. Forget bad management, old designs, etc... the biggest factor in this is the cost of production.
ITALY IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE ANYTHING OTHER THAN HIGH END GOODS.
50cc scooters are no longer high end goods. You can buy them in China for $300 less than the cost of materials thanks to the Chinese governments kick backs. The Italian solution to this has been allowing more and more of the industry to outsource to China. As one member of the EICMA told me "If the motorcycle part is designed in Italy, the packaging is made in Italy, the company is Italian you can produce the part in Taiwan, assemble in Italy and it will say made in Italy."
Hence why that Polini clutch that reads made in Italy, is made at the same factory in Taiwan as the MRP one in a different box. Italy right now is a joke and our country is in the same boat. Don't believe me check out this video from Taiwan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F7WuGgqV3w
The truth is ANCMA and EICMA all have a stake in this. Our own MIC could do more and tell our Administration what needs to be done for US builders. We can't all live off Harley Davidson and a few companies like Polaris. The truth is more parts get outsourced every single day. Have you checked your Harley Lately, there's parts on it made in China by ZONGSHEN.
Yes, the same ZONGSHEN parts MRP has and the same bikes found in PEP BOYS. Have you looked at your ARCTIC CAT ATV? That 250cc is made by KYMCO TAIWAN. It's a great engine and we love Kymco, but more and more of our industry is getting sent abroad to the point where we the United States of America will end up like Italy.
The Obama Administration can continue giving the rich tax breaks and discounts but it wont get people to invest more in the USA if I can go to China and open a factory for a third of the cost. To revitalize the US Motorcycle Industry give us incentives to produce and assemble in the USA not a tax break. Give motorcycle companies cash to manufacture and hire. Same in Italy. Do you want Malaguti to stay in business? Give them the cash to hire, eliminate the high taxes and allow foreign investors to take majority shares. Bring in fresh management.
The Motorcycle Industry press won't call it how it is, but there are fewer real OEMs out there. I hate to be one for calling for barriers to trade, but the same way we didn't allow GM, Ford, and Chevy to fail maybe Italy should take a closer look at what is left of the scooter industry. Last I checked Piaggio Group - owners of (Vespa, Gillera, Derbi, Aprilia, Piaggio) were closing plants in Spain and firing people in Italy to build more factories in China, Vietnam, and India. If you check online all the new Piaggios entering the USA are not even made in Italy anymore the two basic models are Zongshen, some of the Aprilia scooters are made by Jincheng. The funny thing is this all makes sense if you were the board or an investor in Piaggio Group. So its up the people of Italy to rise up and demand that they keep these jobs and they keep Malaguti open. So far I'm not holding my breath, most people just got back from the beach and are just getting back to the picket line.
It's a slippery slope when it comes to letting your production get outsourced.
The Scooter Maven
Sometimes I read this stuff and I get my hopes up. Then I call my friends in Italy and its the same old story.
For those of you following the blog or the articles on Motorcycle USA regarding the failure of the Italian government, Malaguti, and the Unions to come to an agreement on how to save this prestigious firm it seems the press in Italy has finally woken up. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/7/9852/Motorcycle-Article/Italys-Malaguti-Scooters-on-the-Brink.aspx
Right now according to the economist magazine September 10th edition there are 44 million people unemployed in the Western Economies (OECD) this would be equal to Spain's population. In America we have close 14 million people and who knows how many undocumented unemployed workers right now. The only thing we see happening in Europe and in America is talk of tax rebates, stimulus dollars, and more projects to hire on a massive scale. I think what Europe and America needs is a boost in the arm much like the car industry received back when the financial crisis started. We have over 15 idle factories in Europe in the motorcycle sector that are under capacity right now or on the verge of closing. Including Derbi Spain which is about to close. The most famous of all of these is the Malaguti factory. The last remaining independent family owned operation who is tired of loosing money and is trying to close on purpose. Why would an entrepreneur do such a thing? Because in Europe the laws will drain you dry in order to keep people employed. While their competitors in China get better kickbacks for keeping people employed Malaguti has been unable to compete with the rising tide of less expensive Asian imports. Nonetheless there is a solid argument for reasons they should be saved.
Several articles appears online this week most of them repeating the same information without mentioning the deals or possible investors by name ( it just goes to show there is no investigative reporting anymore in the motorcycle industry unless its paid by a behind the scenes advertiser )
http://parma.repubblica.it/dettaglio-news/16:41/4032049
http://www.viaemilianet.it/notizia.php?id=8461
http://www.omnimoto.it/magazine/7847/malaguti-moto-sta-per-chiudere-licenziamento-per-160-dipendenti-fiom-regione-emilia-romagna
What all these magazines fail to mention is how I brought several qualified investors to the table only to be ignored by the Malaguti family, Regione Emilia Romaga Graziano Prantoni who by all means is incompetent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doToyGMEFjs
One group of investors had a net worth of over $30million and asked for majority shares and for the Malaguti family to make concessions in production. Nobody budged. It's better to destroy the Italian economy, fire everyone, than to let US investors come in and take over. I suspect the real reason again is that Malaguti will continue much like Benelli and Garelli as a Chinese brand. Once the employees are fired they will go back to importing ensuring that all future production will not truly be Italian which is what made Malaguti special in the first place.
The situation in the Italian motorcycle industry is as bad as the US mortgage crisis in my opinion. Banks would rather demolish a brand new house or foreclose on it than to budge and refinance certain buyers.
Why refinance when you can write it off as a loss? Why not reduce the value of the property and get some income instead of none? Malaguti has its back to the wall. The requirements of the Italian Unions and the employee costs are so high they cannot compete. Forget bad management, old designs, etc... the biggest factor in this is the cost of production.
ITALY IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE ANYTHING OTHER THAN HIGH END GOODS.
50cc scooters are no longer high end goods. You can buy them in China for $300 less than the cost of materials thanks to the Chinese governments kick backs. The Italian solution to this has been allowing more and more of the industry to outsource to China. As one member of the EICMA told me "If the motorcycle part is designed in Italy, the packaging is made in Italy, the company is Italian you can produce the part in Taiwan, assemble in Italy and it will say made in Italy."Hence why that Polini clutch that reads made in Italy, is made at the same factory in Taiwan as the MRP one in a different box. Italy right now is a joke and our country is in the same boat. Don't believe me check out this video from Taiwan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F7WuGgqV3w
The truth is ANCMA and EICMA all have a stake in this. Our own MIC could do more and tell our Administration what needs to be done for US builders. We can't all live off Harley Davidson and a few companies like Polaris. The truth is more parts get outsourced every single day. Have you checked your Harley Lately, there's parts on it made in China by ZONGSHEN.
Yes, the same ZONGSHEN parts MRP has and the same bikes found in PEP BOYS. Have you looked at your ARCTIC CAT ATV? That 250cc is made by KYMCO TAIWAN. It's a great engine and we love Kymco, but more and more of our industry is getting sent abroad to the point where we the United States of America will end up like Italy.
The Obama Administration can continue giving the rich tax breaks and discounts but it wont get people to invest more in the USA if I can go to China and open a factory for a third of the cost. To revitalize the US Motorcycle Industry give us incentives to produce and assemble in the USA not a tax break. Give motorcycle companies cash to manufacture and hire. Same in Italy. Do you want Malaguti to stay in business? Give them the cash to hire, eliminate the high taxes and allow foreign investors to take majority shares. Bring in fresh management.
The Motorcycle Industry press won't call it how it is, but there are fewer real OEMs out there. I hate to be one for calling for barriers to trade, but the same way we didn't allow GM, Ford, and Chevy to fail maybe Italy should take a closer look at what is left of the scooter industry. Last I checked Piaggio Group - owners of (Vespa, Gillera, Derbi, Aprilia, Piaggio) were closing plants in Spain and firing people in Italy to build more factories in China, Vietnam, and India. If you check online all the new Piaggios entering the USA are not even made in Italy anymore the two basic models are Zongshen, some of the Aprilia scooters are made by Jincheng. The funny thing is this all makes sense if you were the board or an investor in Piaggio Group. So its up the people of Italy to rise up and demand that they keep these jobs and they keep Malaguti open. So far I'm not holding my breath, most people just got back from the beach and are just getting back to the picket line.
It's a slippery slope when it comes to letting your production get outsourced.
The Scooter Maven
