Everything we have published till date
Pierer Mobility AG (KTM) has filed for judicial restructuring, a step away from bankruptcy. Sales is slow, marketshare is down, and they are sitting at manhy months of inventory. In the bigger picture, it indicates how fragile the European two-wheeler industry is.
Why did Honda launch two different scooters on the same platform for India and Indonesia/Europe?
On the face of it, Royal Enfield, the India-based British heritage ICE brand, should be the last brand to do an electric motorcycle. Yet, here they are with the Flying Flea, and electric motorcycles seem important to them. It is a need, not a luxury
Ola Electric, the E2W market leader in India announced four new moped models. This would be an all new low-power model range energised by the company's new portable battery packs targeted at fleet operators
Damon Motors (DMN) listed on Nasdaq, an event closely watched by all E2W startups. However, it has been a disappointing ride since debut with the stock under pressure continuously.
KTM caused tremors in the motorcycling world by applying for judicial restructuring. The company cannot repay loans due in the near term because of unsold inventory. This is shocking for a motorcycle manufacturer that happily distributed dividends till last year.
India and ASEAN are the two legs that Honda stands on. It has been disappointing that the Japanese giant has let startups lead the way in the Indian scooter market, a market where it has a 50% market share. Honda is now doing catchup with the CUV e: in Indonesia and the Activa e: and QC1 in India
The Ola scooter range, all variants on the Etergo platform, is energized with floorboard-mounted fixed batteries. However, India's fast-growing fleet delivery market, dominated mainly by Chinese imported two-wheelers, primarily uses portable/swappable batteries. Now, Ola joins the party
In August 2022, Honda announced it would set up a solid-state battery pilot line in Japan. The aim was to study solid-state batteries and ensure the brand was ready with the technology and production in time for the competition. The pilot line has now started production.
Livewire started with a bang with its operations out of Silicon Valley. Harley has its back. However, the solid financial backing, a tech-heavy platform, and heavy spending have not translated into sales numbers. It just had another bad quarter and is now pulling back from Silicon Valley
This may not be significant for the company. In the short term, there is very little cash that they get access to. However, the listing makes them more attractive to new investors and may eventually get the HyperSport into production.
Financials stay depressed, though we have a clean chit on the Taiwanese government's charges against the company that had led to Horace Luke resigning. Now, a bigger problem is on the horizon - the Nasdaq listing may not be maintained.
