Tag Archives: selling

News

Ducati Achieves Record-Breaking Sales in the First Half of 2023

Ducati, the renowned motorcycle brand, has experienced a surge in sales in recent years, surpassing all previous records. The release of their latest models has been a resounding success among riders from diverse backgrounds. Building upon a successful first quarter, Ducati has now achieved its best-ever sales figures in the first half of the year.

Francesco Milicia, Vice President of Global Sales and After Sales at Ducati, expressed his enthusiasm for the brand’s exceptional sales performance. In an official press release, Milicia stated, “This first half-year was Ducati’s best ever in terms of deliveries. We reached a record 34,976 bikes delivered, proving that our passionate clients continue to appreciate our product range, which is now wider than ever.” This achievement showcases the brand’s growth and its commitment to maintaining a dominant position in the motorcycle industry. Let’s dive into the numbers.

2024 Ducati Monster - Iceberg White - Left Side

In the first half of 2023, Ducati achieved remarkable sales with a record-breaking figure of 34,976 motorcycles sold. This represents a significant growth of five percent compared to the same period in 2022, which was already considered a remarkable success at that time. Notably, three key markets made significant contributions to Ducati’s success. Italy witnessed a 10 percent growth with a total of 6,639 bikes sold. The US market experienced an impressive 11 percent growth with the sale of 4,505 units. Similarly, Germany recorded a 13 percent growth rate with sales of 4,217 units during the first half of 2023.

The introduction of new models has been the key driver behind the brand’s success. In recent years, Ducati has revamped its entire model range, incorporating cutting-edge technology that has garnered widespread acclaim. Unsurprisingly, the most popular model in Ducati’s lineup is the Multistrada V4, with 6,382 units sold in the first half of 2023. The timeless Ducati Monster follows closely in second place, with 4,299 units of this lightweight naked bike delivered. In third place, the widely acclaimed Scrambler 800 series secured its position with 3,581 bikes sold in the global market.

The 2024 model year is anticipated to be equally if not more successful. Given Ducati’s ongoing triumphs in the racing scene, it is undeniably a prominent name in motorsports. If the saying “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” holds true, then Ducati can look forward to a prosperous year. In addition to their racing achievements, Ducati has already unveiled mid-model refreshes for the 2024 lineup, featuring technological refinements and new color schemes.

Motorsport

Tour An Abandoned Saab Dealership With Over 20 Forgotten Cars

In 2011, Saab went out of business. While many dealers transitioned to selling other automobiles, an abandoned Saab dealership in France did not. Urban explorers recently visited the dealership and discovered that it closed suddenly, leaving behind around 20 cars in various states of repair.

The Saab dealership originally opened in 1972, and it was operated by the same family that also ran a Husqvarna store in the same building. The business reportedly faced difficulties when one of the brothers fell ill.

Unfortunately, the abandoned dealership has been previously visited by less scrupulous individuals who broke windows and stole parts from the vehicles.

Inside the main showroom, there are two Saab 9-3s and a Saab 9-5. Aside from missing pieces and broken windows, these cars appear to be restorable.

The various offices are filled with garbage, as people seemingly tore things apart in search of valuables. However, the brochures, dealer artwork, and even paint samples and upholstery offerings remain, although they have significantly faded due to sun exposure.

In the workshop, there is an even bigger surprise. Alongside more Saabs, there are also Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault models. Several Saab 9000s, possibly dating back to 1998, can be found. The Saab 9000 model was first produced in 1984.

Some of the cars in the workshop have managed to avoid damage from looters. While covered in dust, many of these vehicles could potentially be restored to running condition with some cleaning and fresh fluids. There are plenty of YouTube channels specializing in cleaning vehicles in much worse condition than these.

The workshop also houses various spare parts, including at least one engine block. For Saab enthusiasts and specialists, this collection of cars and components would be considered a treasure trove. The spare parts could keep many Saab 9-3s, 9-5s, and 9000s on the road as donors.

Following Saab’s bankruptcy, the factory and remaining assets were purchased by NEVS. Although NEVS had plans to produce an electric version of the Saab 9-3, they ended up building a few combustion-powered versions using the leftover parts.

News

How Nio’s brand-building strategy extends beyond automotive

NIO at Shanghai Autoshow

Nio has a dedicated app that is as much about building loyalty as selling cars

Your wallet or smartphone is likely to be filled with various loyalty cards and apps that offer rewards for purchasing different products. However, Chinese firm Nio is taking this concept beyond retail and applying it to the automotive industry. While most car companies have apps that provide sales information or allow consumers to control their vehicles, Nio’s app focuses on building loyalty and creating a social media network for its customers. Nio currently has hundreds of thousands of car sales, but its app boasts 2.3 million registered users, with around 240,000 active users each day. The app has facilitated the sharing of 20 million posts, showcasing its success in creating a dedicated community of Nio enthusiasts.

Nio’s brand-building efforts extend beyond its app as well. The company organizes events, such as camping trips, for its loyal customers who sign up for these experiences through the app. These events serve as an opportunity for Nio owners to connect with like-minded individuals and share their enthusiasm for the brand. Nio also collaborates with its users through a partner program, where discounts are offered to other app users. The focus on user satisfaction is a key aspect of Nio’s strategy, as the company believes that existing owners are their best ambassadors.

In addition to building a community through its app and events, Nio has created physical spaces called Nio Houses. These establishments not only showcase Nio cars but also feature coffee shops where customers can purchase Nio-branded drinks and snacks using either cash or Nio points. Nio points can be earned by participating in Nio events, posting on the app, or buying Nio products. Speaking of products, Nio has developed a brand called Nio Life, which offers a wide range of merchandise across different categories, including homeware, fashion, and food.

Nio’s commitment to community-building is evident in its formation of a user advisory board consisting of company representatives and elected owners. This board helps guide the company’s efforts, including charitable initiatives supported by the dividends from the shares donated by Nio’s founder. Despite its success in China, the question remains: will Nio’s unique approach to brand-building translate to other markets, particularly Europe? Nio is expanding into various European countries, including the UK, and believes that the trust and loyalty it has fostered with its users can be replicated elsewhere.

News

BMW Motorrad Italy Presents Pre-Owned Program: BMW Timeless

In a unique approach to selling pre-owned motorcycles, BMW Motorrad Italy has gone beyond the conventional methods by transforming old bikes and scooters into a genuine product line, regardless of their age and date of first registration.

Alessandro Salimbeni, General Manager of BMW Motorrad Italy, stated, “A BMW motorcycle that has already traveled a long way is a motorcycle that has already experienced adventures and has a story to tell. Each BMW Timeless vehicle has explored different landscapes, overcome challenges, and is ready to embark on new journeys with its new owner. If a motorcycle’s value lies in its history, BMW Motorrad’s responsibility is to nurture and preserve that value over time. With BMW Timeless, our brand becomes even more inclusive and accessible. We now consider pre-owned BMWs to be on par with our new products, offering not only exclusive services like BMSI maintenance packages and tailored financial solutions but also an entire brand campaign. In the current market scenario, I firmly believe that used BMWs present an intriguing alternative to new products, even from other brands.”

Original Quote: 

(“Una moto BMW che ha già fatto un po’ di strada è una moto che ha già vissuto delle avventure, con una storia da raccontare. Ogni BMW Timeless ha viaggiato, visto paesaggi e superato sfide ed è pronta a farlo ancora insieme al suo nuovo proprietario. E se il valore di una moto è proprio la sua storia, noi di BMW Motorrad abbiamo il compito di supportarlo nel tempo. Con BMW Timeless il marchio BMW Motorrad diventa ancora più inclusivo, rendendosi di fatto ancor più accessibile. Oggi consideriamo l’usato BMW con lo stesso pregio del nostro prodotto nuovo, dedicandogli oltre a servizi esclusivi, come i pacchetti di manutenzione BMSI o specifiche soluzioni finanziarie d’acquisto, anche una vera e propria campagna di brand. Credo fermamente che nell’attuale scenario di mercato l’usato BMW rappresenti un’interessante alternativa a prodotti nuovi, anche di altre marche, soprattutto per quei motociclisti più esigenti che sognano di guidare una moto dai grandi contenuti tecnologici e capace di regalare un impareggiabile piacere di guida, senza tralasciare il non trascurabile dato del prezzo d’acquisto.”)

BMW Motorrad Italy Timeless Pre-Owned Program

Instead of simply selling pre-owned motorcycles as they are or slightly refurbished for riding, BMW Motorrad Italy has introduced a more significant pre-owned program called BMW Timeless. With this program, BMW Motorrad preserves its legacy by offering a new product line featuring the brand’s classic models. BMW Timeless brings a fresh perspective to the table, celebrating the love for vintage motorcycles. This program could potentially be expanded to other countries, catering to customers who have a desire for well-maintained vintage motorcycles that were originally sold by the manufacturers themselves.

Motorsport

Kia Stinger EV Successor Coming In 2025 With 600+ HP: Report

Kia and Hyundai plan to invest $18 billion in becoming fully electric vehicle manufacturers by the end of the decade. As part of this transformation, the South Korean automakers will develop a new electric vehicle architecture capable of accommodating one of the largest batteries in the industry. The first production model to utilize this platform will be a Kia-branded sedan.

According to a report from ET News, this upcoming vehicle is internally named GT1 and is expected to be positioned in the mid-size segment, potentially as a spiritual successor to the Stinger. The report suggests that it will belong to the E-segment according to European classification, which means it could be slightly larger than the current Stinger in terms of size.