Tag Archives: results

News

Harley Reports 16 Percent Drop In Motorcycle Sales Worldwide In Q3 Of 2023

On October 26, 2023, Harley-Davidson released its financial results for the third quarter of 2023. The company reported an increase of 25 percent in CVO retail sales, which was seen as positive news. However, a closer examination of the revenue and motorcycle sales figures revealed a less optimistic outlook.

Harley-Davidson divides its reporting into three segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (excluding LiveWire), Harley-Davidson Financial Services, and LiveWire. This reporting structure has been in place since LiveWire became its own separate company in 2022.

Combined, these segments form Harley-Davidson Incorporated, which reports its Consolidated Financial Results. In comparison to the third quarter of 2022, the Motor Company reported a 24 percent decrease in profits. As a result, stock shares fell by 11 percent in response to this news, according to Reuters.

Turning our attention to motorcycle sales, Harley-Davidson reported a decline in retail sales across all geographic regions for the third quarter of 2023. Worldwide sales decreased by 16 percent compared to the same period last year.

Here is a breakdown of the sales by region: North America experienced a 15 percent decrease, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa saw a 13 percent decline (EMEA), Asia Pacific sales dropped by 24 percent, and Latin America experienced an 11 percent decrease in the third quarter of 2023.

It’s worth noting that LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle, is reported differently than its traditional motorcycles. LiveWire’s figures represent “Electric Motorcycle Shipments” rather than sales. In the third quarter of 2023, a total of 50 LiveWire electric motorcycles were shipped, marking a 76 percent decrease from the 206 shipments in the same period of 2022.

Considering LiveWire is still in its early stages and new technologies often face challenges, it is important to keep expectations in check. Additionally, Harley-Davidson only recently started selling its bikes in Europe, a market where electric motorbikes have gained more acceptance.

While electric motorcycles have gained popularity in Europe and Asia, the adoption rate in the US has been slower. As LiveWire establishes itself in Europe and other international markets, particularly with the S2 Del Mar model, it is hoped that it will find a more receptive audience.

NewsNew

Mani Lettenbichler Wins Hixpania FIM Hard Enduro and the World Championship

Hixpania Hard Enduro Results: Mani Lettenbichler crowned 2023 HEWC World Champion with victory in Spain

Mani Lettenbichler: “Here I am now, fifth race win in a row for this season and world champion. I had to push so hard today. I got a good start and was able to pass Billy almost straight away and from there I just focused and kept up a good rhythm. Honestly, the day could not have gone any better for me, the race was awesome. What can I say? I’m just speechless.”

Mani Lettenbichler has won the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship with his fifth win of the season. He remained undefeated throughout 2023. Lettenbichler overtook Billy Bolt early in the race and maintained a leading position that no one could challenge. It has been an exceptional season for the Red Bull KTM rider, and with one more round to go in two weeks on his home soil in Germany, it seems likely that he will achieve a historic clean sweep.

Finishing second overall, more than six minutes behind Lettenbichler, was Sherco’s Mario Roman, who enjoyed the support of the home crowd.

Mario Roman: “I’m super-stoked how it went today with the second place. Mani was flying the whole season so I believe to beat the other guys is like a win for me. The crowd was amazing and with me the whole time and I think we made a good show for them, especially at the end with the last difficult hills, it was super-sketchy and on the limit of riding but we made it happen.”

In the fifth round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Billy Bolt from Husqvarna Factory Racing had a solid performance to secure his second place in the championship standings with one round remaining. Bolt won the first two days of racing, including the event’s prologue. On the final day’s main event, he finished third overall on his TE 300.

Billy Bolt: Stopping Mani from winning the title today was always going to be tough. It would have been nice to take the battle to the final round, but he has been on a super high level all year.

Bolt gained valuable points to secure his second place in the HEWC standings, surpassing Trystan Hart. Hart missed a checkpoint yesterday and had to work hard to recover from a 20th place start, ultimately finishing fifth behind Sherco’s Wade Young in fourth. The rider with the fastest lap of the day, former winner Alfredo Gomez on the Rieju, took sixth place.

VolvoCars

Invitation to Volvo Cars’ presentation of the third quarter 2023

Volvo Cars will release its financial results for the third quarter of 2023 on Thursday, October 26 at 06:00 UK time (07:00 CET).

At 08:30 UK time (09:30 CET), President and CEO Jim Rowan and CFO Johan Ekdahl will host a live stream for media, investors, and analysts. The presentations will be conducted in English and will be followed by a Q&A session.

We look forward to your participation. See below for detailed information:

08:30 UK time (09:30 CET) – Presentation for media, investors, and analysts

Link: https://live.volvocars.com

If you are tuning in from China, please use this link: https://live.volvocars.com.cn

It will be possible to ask questions during the Q&A session following the main presentation. To participate, you can either use the chat function online to type your question or call in. If you choose to call in, please register to receive the dial-in details and individual PIN.

Link to register

For further information, please contact:

Volvo Cars Media Relations

+46 31-59 65 25

media@volvocars.com

Volvo Cars Investor Relations

John Hernander

+46 31-793 94 00

investors@volvocars.com

BMW

Yes to BMW: Straßkirchen residents overwhelmingly support new high-voltage battery assembly site

The results of the Straßkirchen referendum are in and the majority of residents have voted in favor of building the new BMW Group facility. With over 75 percent of the vote, the council’s motion for a BMW assembly plant for high-voltage batteries was successful. Milan Nedeljković, a member of the BMW AG Board of Management, expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized that the planned location will secure the future of Bavarian vehicle plants by providing them with the necessary high-voltage batteries for e-mobility. The referendum’s outcome demonstrates the residents’ support for future-oriented technologies and jobs, as well as their commitment to making reliable decisions for a joint future. The next step in the construction process will involve a public consultation and presentation of expert opinions on the impact of the site development.

Jobs and apprenticeships for the future

The BMW Group plans to employ around 1,600 people at the production site once the initial construction phase is completed. The majority of these employees will come from existing BMW Group locations, allowing for the sharing of knowledge during the construction process. Additionally, about 50 apprenticeships will be offered in collaboration with Plant Dingolfing.

Business tax benefits

The BMW Group has already registered permanent establishments in Straßkirchen and Irlbach, resulting in business tax payments since August. These payments are expected to increase with the construction of the new plant, potentially reaching a high, single-digit million euro amount per year by the end of the 2020s.

Thorough site selection process

The BMW Group evaluated a total of 20 potential sites in Bavaria, considering various criteria in partnership with “Invest in Bavaria”. Straßkirchen and Irlbach were chosen due to their proximity to BMW Group’s Bavarian car plants, exclusion of nature reserves and protected areas, suitable plot size and shape, flat topography, and the presence of thousands of employees in the vicinity. Battery assembly within existing plant sites was ruled out due to space constraints. The BMW Group acquired a 105-hectare plot in Straßkirchen and Irlbach in February 2023, with the option to purchase an additional 29 hectares of adjacent land.

Securing Bavaria’s car-building future

With over 36,000 people employed in Bavaria’s vehicle plants, the new location will ensure the future of these plants by providing high-voltage batteries for electromobility. This commitment not only safeguards existing jobs at BMW Group’s car plants but also creates new jobs in the field of e-mobility. The choice of location will also protect and generate employment opportunities outside of the company, benefiting suppliers and service providers in Lower Bavaria.

Close integration of battery factory and vehicle production

Pursuing its “local for local” principle, the BMW Group strategically locates its high-voltage battery assembly facilities near its vehicle plants worldwide. This approach ensures continuous production, even in the face of unforeseen political and economic developments. It also strengthens existing locations, reduces the carbon footprint of vehicle production, and supports job retention and creation.

For more information

Additional details and the latest updates on the planned Irlbach-Straßkirchen location can be found on the project website at www.bmwgroup-werke.com/irlbach-strasskirchen.

Motorsport

Watch Honda Odyssey, Other Minivans Struggle In IIHS Rear Seat Test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted a more challenging moderate overlap front crash test on several minivans, including the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, and Toyota Sienna. Unfortunately, the results were far from impressive.

The IIHS ranks vehicles based on their performance, using categories such as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. Let’s take a look at how these minivans fared:

Model Overall Rating
2023 Chrysler Pacifica Marginal
2023 Kia Carnival Marginal
2023 Toyota Sienna Marginal
2023 Honda Odyssey Poor

In this updated moderate overlap front crash test, the IIHS now evaluates the safety of second-row passengers. While all these minivan models scored well in terms of protecting the driver, the concern lies in ensuring the safety of rear occupants. The IIHS uses a crash test dummy representing either a small woman or a 12-year-old child in the back seat.


Motorsport

Updated Kia K5 And Carnival Confirmed To Debut Later This Year

Tucked away in a press release about global sales results in August is news about what Kia has in store for the remainder of the year. Previously known as the Optima, the K5 midsize sedan will get a mid-cycle update later in 2023, roughly four years after the fifth-generation model was unveiled. We’ll also be seeing a facelift for the Carnival minivan, even though the fourth-gen family hauler made its debut in June 2020.

The updated K5 is rumored to receive a curved dual-screen setup akin to the latest K8 while the Carnival is said to get a hybrid powertrain but nothing is official yet. The MPV could get the same screen layout, along with additional equipment on top of the already generous amenities.


Technology

How To Check Your Internet Speed (3 Different Ways)

When checking your internet speed, it’s important to follow some guidelines to ensure accurate results. One important consideration is to perform the speed test during non-peak hours. If you are testing your home internet connection, it is advisable to do it early in the day when most people are at work. This is because when multiple households in a neighborhood have the same internet service providers, the speeds can be slower than average when everyone is at home and using the internet for various activities.

Another important step is to make sure that you do not have any ongoing downloads or uploads while conducting the speed test. Close any websites or apps that are streaming audio or video content and disconnect or exit your VPN client if you are using one. Additionally, it is recommended to reboot the device you plan to use for the speed test to start fresh.

Lastly, it is beneficial to run multiple speed tests at different times of the day to gather more information for diagnosing the cause of a slow connection. Keep in mind that different speed test providers may give varying results, and the test results are specific to the device you are using.

For a more comprehensive analysis, it is recommended to check your internet speed on both your laptop or desktop computer as well as your mobile phone or tablet. Run tests on your computer while connected to Wi-Fi and also when directly connected to the router using an Ethernet cable. By comparing the results from these different scenarios, you can gain a better understanding of your internet speed.

Motorsport

1993 Mazda Miata With Aston Martin Body Kit Is Happy To Not Be A Cygnet

Car enthusiasts often mix different brands and styles to create unique vehicles, but sometimes the results are less than desirable. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and the car featured here is one of those rare success stories. It is a fusion of an Aston Martin and a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and it is currently available for purchase.

This impressive transformation has given birth to the AMX07 kit car, which is based on a 1993 Miata. The body kit that adorns the car is made of hand-laid fiberglass and takes inspiration from the design of the Aston Martin DB7. This influence is most noticeable at the front of the car, rather than the back.


News

Harley-Davidson Bike Sales increased by 3% worldwide in Q2 2023

Harley-Davidson announced its financial results for Q2 2023 on July 27. The company reported the number of motorcycles shipped and the revenue generated globally. Since LiveWire became its own business entity in 2022, its results are reported separately from Harley-branded motorcycles.

In Q2 2023, revenue across all sectors decreased by 2% compared to the same period in 2022. However, let’s focus on motorcycle shipments and sales.

Harley records motorcycle shipments separately from motorcycle sales, especially for Harley-branded bikes. However, this distinction does not apply to LiveWire. In Q2 2023, the company reported worldwide motorcycle shipments of 42,900 bikes, a 10% decrease from the 47,900 shipped in the same period in 2022. This decrease is attributed to a production stoppage in May 2023.

Looking at motorcycle sales in Q2 2022, there is some optimism. Sales increased in North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. However, sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) dropped by 6%.

Asia Pacific stands out with a 24% increase in sales year-on-year. In Q2 2023, 7,500 bikes were sold compared to 6,000 in Q2 2022. Overall, global motorcycle sales (excluding LiveWire) increased by 3% in Q2 2023.

As for LiveWire, they only report motorcycle shipments, not sales. In Q2 2023, LiveWire reported shipments of 33 bikes, an 85% decrease from the 225 units shipped in Q2 2022. It’s worth mentioning that all 33 LiveWires that were shipped in Q2 2022 were LiveWire Ones, not Harley-Davidson LiveWires or S2 Del Mars.

Given the results so far, LiveWire has revised its sales guidance for the entirety of the 2023 fiscal year. They are now aiming for motorcycle unit sales of 600 to 1,000. Only time will tell if they can meet or exceed these goals as the company expands in Europe and rolls out the more affordable S2 Del Mars to customers.

News

2023 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Raised $7.4 Million For Men’s Health

In 2023, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride achieved great success, raising $7.4 million for men’s health. This annual event, which celebrated its 10th year in partnership with Triumph Motorcycles, saw a record-breaking turnout of 104,000 riders in 893 different cities around the world. These dapper riders came together to raise funds and awareness for both physical and mental health.

The $7.4 million raised represents a 24 percent increase from the previous year’s fundraising efforts, which is particularly impressive considering the challenging financial times many people are facing. This achievement highlights the dedication and generosity of the riders involved.

Mark Hawwa, the founder and director of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success. He emphasized the mission of challenging stereotypes associated with motorcyclists and using the classic motorcycle community as a force for good. Hawwa also highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health, strengthening social connections, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggles.

Triumph Motorcycles played a significant role in the success of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, supporting the event for 10 years. Triumph chief commercial officer Paul Stroud expressed his admiration for the record-breaking 2023 DGR event and the partnership between Triumph and the ride. He mentioned that Triumph released the Bonneville T120 Black DGR Limited Edition and a range of lifestyle clothing to contribute to fundraising efforts for men’s health.

Overall, the 2023 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride demonstrated unity, resilience, and passion within the motorcycle community. The organizers and participants have much to be proud of in their global commitment to supporting men’s health.