The market cap movement of publicly traded E2W players over the last six months indicates that only the Chinese lot have been doing well. What makes them different? Is it that when the world was running after dreamy E2Ws, the Chinese put their head down and actually sold what the market needed?
At yesterday's court hearing, KTM creditors have accepted a restructuring plan proposed by the board. As part of the plan, nearly EUR 548m would be received by the creditors by end-May. India-based Bajaj Auto is bringing some of the money but there remains a larger investor yet to be named.
The Europe-focused Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) was formed in September 2021 by Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Piaggio. However, little has moved three years later, and the two Japanese founders have left. Is there a future for SBMC (and battery-swapping consortiums in general)?
Honda's 50% market share of the Indian scooter market is handy as it enters electric mobility with the Activa e: and QC1 scooters. But the prices and the subscription plans leave everyone puzzled. They don't want to disrupt the market. Instead, Honda wants to take it apart, brick-by-brick.
Pierer Mobility has reported preliminary key figures for 2024. As expected, revenues are down 29%, and dispatches to dealers declined by 21% even though the company says that inventory reduction is on. Importantly, Stefan Pierer has handed over the CEO responsibility to Gottfried Neumeister.
At this time, it's not much.
The KTM crisis continues to unfold and Pierer Mobility has restructured the board, replacing the chairman.
Pierer Mobility's problems are even more serious than estimated before. The unsold inventory at KTM is likely a year's worth of sales.
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.
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.
We look at the important electric launches from EICMA, an event where Honda finally showed seriousness to electric mobility and came with a mid-size electric sports motorcycle and some scooters. Also, unveilings from Zero, Silence, Can-Am, Kymco and many more.
Are EVs loaded with features that are really smart? Do they create a high-enough barrier to entry? Is there an exclusivity? How long can it stay? What happens after that?
