TIGER Coatings’ Post

Trendwatching: Pierrer divests of all classic bikes, Ghost closes its DE factory - Cuts, reorganizations & core business refocusing in the times of eBike-driven marketplaces. Pierrer (Husqvarna, KTM, MV Agusta, GasGas, Felt, R-Raymon, etc) has just made a U-Turn on 21 strategy, selling its recently acquired Felt and divesting all non-motorized 2-wheel assets to maintain its EBIT targets through 2024. With a difficult remainder of 2023 and 2024 on its radar, they're making some deep-reaching changes. Felt is up for grasp after only being purchased from Rossignol in Nov 2021... And R-Raymon is being sold back to the Puello family. This continues to underline the phenomenal importance of eBikes to Germanic region brands; where eBikes account for 90% of all MTB sales and are quickly dominating the mobility space at a level similar to the Benelux. I believe that just last week a UK brand - Whyte of the epic prst-1 fame? - made a strategic shift to eBikes only (even though eBikes don't command the same importance in its domestic market) as well... but luckily without layoffs. In November, the eBike strong Ghost (Accell group) announced it was restructuring to reduce costs, shutting down its German factory after 30 years. It is notable that the shift to motorization in the form of elimination of muscular bikes is happening both on and off the content. 400 layoffs will follow in a restructured Pierrer motorbike and eBike division going forward, with manufacturing of mid-level models joining entry-level units in being outsourced to China and India. India will inherit not just manufacturing in this move, but a certain amount of R&D and manufacturing optimization work. The Ghost move also led to ~80 layoffs in Germany, with production moving to Turkey and Hungary. Article on Pierrer in German. Bastian Dietz just shared an English article on this topic, I see - that you could read from his post as well. On a personal note; I have yet to own an eBike myself, but I ride them for almost all my mileage in urban applications for the last 12 months. My much beloved muscle powered compact cargobike has sat unused since my kids have become old enough to ride on their own. I'm pretty certain that my next city bike purchase will be a speed pedelec cargobike. I also appreciate long travel pedelec MTB's for their shuttling function in steep terrain. But for myself; I have as yet no interest in an eMTB, eRoad or eGravel. As long as I can keep my FTP up to about 300w, I expect that will remain so. There will certainly be a separation of wheat and chaff in muscle-powered bikes and brands in the coming decade or so - but I expect that the wheat that remains will be sweet.

LOT 109 Munich 2011 Lexus LFA €500,000 - €600,000 EUR  | Offered Without Reserve  | München, Germany Chassis No. JTHHX8BH8B1000209 Serial No. LFA 211 Documents Cancelled Swiss Carte Grise To be offered on Saturday, 25 November 2023 Finished in Whitest White over a Blue leather interior Numbered 211 of 500 LFAs produced between 2010 and 2012 Powered by a 552 horsepower 4.8-litre V-10 engine Odometer reads just 6,109 kilometres at the time of cataloguing The Lexus LFA came about as the pet project of Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota, who—after years of overseeing the mass production of road cars—wanted to build a supercar to challenge those being offered by the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. In development for many years, the Lexus LFA was revealed at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and it immediately became clear that the Japanese marque had produced something truly special. Among the LFA’s most remarkable features is its 552 horsepower 4.8-litre V-10 engine, co-developed with Yamaha and built in the same facility that manufactured Toyota Racing’s Formula 1 V-10 powertrain. The block is a space-age blend of aluminium, magnesium, and titanium alloy, which allowed it to be smaller than an equivalent V-8, and lighter than even an equivalent V-6. This incredible powerplant is mated to a lightning-quick, six-speed automated sequential manual transmission. The stunning LFA offered here is serial number 211 of the 500 examples produced, and one of just 44 left-hand-drive examples clad in Whitest White paintwork. Completed in November 2011, it left the factory destined for the Middle Eastern market. As with each LFA, the cabin is a completely bespoke affair. This particular example was specified with a blue interior featuring blue carpets; leather upholstery, dashboard, and door cards; a carbon fibre-and-leather clad steering wheel; and gloss carbon fibre accents with aluminium trim. The LFA’s stunning performance, astounding drivetrain, exotic construction, and sharp styling have all contributed to its enduring mystique and collectability. The low mileage and attractive specification of this example only adds to that appeal. #classic #classics #classiccars #collectorcars #carcollectors #historic #vintage #performance #racing #rallying #driving #car #cars #automotiveindustry #auto #autos #autoindustry #auction #forsale #sold #automotive #investment #privatesale 

After two weeks ago I posted already the positive news from NRW in Germany that they will allow the communes to use S-Pedelec free signs to use the cycling paths. I got a lot of comments on that posts, from positive views but as well concerns that the S-Pedelec is kind of monster bike which will overrun everyone. In my opinion it is important that all, I mean industry, associations and politics working together to see how we can change this concerns and see that all this will help to achieve the targets in Europe to the climate targets and to achieve that there need to be a reduction of cars. Same here it is not against the cars but that the people chose more wisely the transport for the distance they need. and commuting to work is what millions of people do every day and mostly with cars for a distance of 5- 20 km which could be done differently if there is a save infrastructure where to ride and there the S-Pedelec has the advantage as you can commute easy up to 30 - 40 km. that new article which is on handelsblatt explains well the concerns but as well the opportunity which we all have now. Hopefully other Bundesländer will be more open even Bayern said they did not hear about that what is happening in NRW, but Munich is kind of sinking daily in big traffic jams in the city and should be open for alternatives. we won't give up as it is in our DNA of our company and we believe in it as the most of our employees already using our Stromer bikes to come to work instead the car. lets do this change together. And here would be the perfect spots to start this in NRW https://lnkd.in/gYPwsreR Stromer Bikes #heretochange #ebike #cars #commute #mobilität

PIERER Mobility just let us know that they will eliminate Felt Bicycles and all the “non-E-bike Business”. Remember that they dropped R Raymon Bicycles GmbH not long ago. Bold. PIERER Mobility does not sound to me like one of those companies acting randomly. On my side, considering stocks, sales, trends, market behavior, and resources administration is the best way to substantiate the reasons why. That is what PIERER Mobility has done. I am positive that they did the most profound analysis before focusing the company on premium running two-wheel brands. That is, Gas-Gas , Husqvarna, KTM AG and MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. No less. After reading and putting some thoughts on the press release and its reach, I see that PIERER Mobility decided to shift part of the production to China and India. The idea is to reduce costs and ensure “certain R&D activities.” It is not only about saving money but also about adding value. Sadly, this implies that up to 300 employees will be dismissed at their Austria locations. I see all of this as a well-thought-out and planned move to adapt the company to the current situation and immediate future since there are no mid-term and long-term futures anymore. Some could see dropping all the non-electric brands as an overreaction because these bikes will not completely disappear, but will step down from their predominant position to become an option with niche tint in some categories. Selling Felt Bicycles could even be seen as a radical movement, but if quitting pulmonary bikes is the goal, PIERER Mobility will do it because it is what it takes now. Should the times ahead suggest bringing back a pure pedaling bike to their portfolio, rest assured that it will happen. You can be doing the right thing now but also later on when doing the opposite. Adaptation and reaction, they call it. PIERER Mobility aims and then shoots, not the other way around.

China Auto 2024 kicked off in Beijing last Thursday, warmly welcomed back by the China automotive community after a 4-year hiatus. The Kadence team visited on press day and after walking the exhibition halls, here are 5 observations of things that stood out for us at this year’s show: 1: Polestar As experts in the development of automotive sculpture we were captivated by seeing Polestar exteriors presented side-by-side; each model in direct comparison with the other. In our opinion, the entire range embodies high-level execution of surface treatment and proportions. Along with Zeekr Europe and Lynk & Co, it’s very hard to find other brands whose family DNA is expressed so cohesively across models. 2: Bold graphics used as a design statement We saw plenty of examples of graphic and font design being incorporated into how new car designs were presented at the show, with eye-catching effect. It will be interesting to see how these designs transfer to ‘on-the-road’ models. 3: Outdoor lifestyle trends move into vehicle functionality A big trend amongst Chinese consumers, particularly amongst the young, professional demographic with disposable income, has been a focus on outdoor pursuits. This has been reflected in fashion, leisure time, travel trends, and social media content. We noticed several brands at the show had tapped into this with the addition of camping/off-grid adaptations. Think roof tents, awnings, and functionality such as power sockets, freshwater tanks, etc. Is this just tapping into the current social media zeitgeist in China or a broader adaptation of contemporary lifestyles? 4: Jetour SUV concept inspires off-grid dreaming Following on from this off-grid / adventure vibe, we were really impressed with the Jetour T5 with its rugged stance and proportions. In addition, we were intrigued by the low-definition digital front grill and its potential functionality. 5: Lotus racing heritage with value and depth Finally, we loved the presentation of the fabulous Evija from Lotus Cars Europe. The black and gold pinstriped livery was reminiscent of the classic Lotus 77 Formula 1 car famously driven by Mario Andretti and Gunnar Nilsson. There is value in seeing this depth of motorsport and brand heritage design references in a market that doesn’t have that history. #chinaauto2024 #chinaautomotive #chinaautob #cardesign #cardesigner #automotivedesign #automotivedesigner

1992 MASERATI SHAMAL €36,000 CURRENT BID 2 days FRIDAY 11:32 AM CAR OVERVIEW 46,537 Km Manual LHD Dazing Black Light Grey 3.2L V8 VIN ZAM339B00 This Maserati Shamal is a stylish Italian grand tourer, and believed to be one of just 369 examples produced.  Under the bonnet sits a twin-turbocharged 3.2-litre V8, delivering 326PS to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.  This Classiche-certified Shamal was overhauled in 2021, which included treating the interior, working on the electrics, and replacing the head gasket, valves, and timing belts. The odometer shows just 46,357 kilometres. EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES   The car is finished in Dazing Black over a Light Grey leather-trimmed cabin, punctuated by a wooden gear knob.  It rides on a set of 16-inch six-spoke alloy wheels, shod with Nexen tyres.   The specification includes electrically adjustable seats, climate control, and a slide-out Pioneer stereo with a reversing camera.  Accompanying the sale is the owner’s manual, a significant history file, and the Maserati Classiche certification.  SUMMARY   The Maserati Shamal is a rare Italian grand touring coupe that features a number of unusual styling cues on its Gandini-designed bodywork, including a front spoiler under the windscreen and the slanted rear wheel arch – a feature shared with the Quattroporte IV and Lamborghini Countach. This low-mileage example was treated to an overhaul in 2021, and is accompanied by Maserati Classiche documentation. As one of just 369 examples produced, it would make a fine addition to any collection as well as a sophisticated weekend cruiser or long-distance touring companion for any marque enthusiast.  #classic #classics #classiccars #collectorcars #carcollectors #historic #vintage #performance #racing #rallying #driving #car #cars #automotiveindustry #auto #autos #autoindustry #auction #forsale #sold #automotive #investment #privatesale 

https://lnkd.in/dyZV4kY7 #digitalurbanism (German) Interesting business perspective. Among many interesting facts, this sticks out for me: The german Bike market creates about 200 000 jobs, the Auto sector more, but not that much: 930 000. That goes to Germany needs to protect its car industry, it also needs to do more for the bicycles..

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German Bicycle Market Expected to Rebound in 2024 According to a recent study by a German professional institution, the German bicycle market is predicted to recover in 2024. The report highlights that despite a decline in 2023, this was largely a one-time market adjustment. The market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of approximately 4% through 2028. In the electric bicycle segment, the study indicates that while sales reached a saturation point in 2023, the high sales volume of electric bicycles positively impacted the sales of bicycle accessories. Products such as phone mounts, navigation systems, helmets, and spare parts have seen increased demand. Additionally, regular service appointments for electric bicycles have provided growth opportunities for related industries. #GermanBicycleMarket #2024Forecast #MarketRecovery #ElectricBicycles #AccessorySales #IndustryGrowth #MarketAnalysis

Expected and Hoped for the Taipei Bicycle Show in March 2024. As the European sales season begins in spring 2024, the Taipei Bicycle Show will be held in early March. This makes it the perfect time to evaluate which foreign brands and companies have the substance to weather the economic storm. Insufficient brands and funding are like not wearing swim trunks; it's only after the waves recede that we realize who's got substance and who doesn't. With the super inventory levels, skyrocketing inflation, and the Red sea crisis in shipping routes, society and businesses alike are keeping a close eye on which companies stand strong and why. It's during an economic downturn that we can truly see who the real winners and losers are. Many businesses can shine during prosperous times, but only the truly robust ones will emerge when faced with challenges and difficulties. With the super inventory levels and high inflation, the full situation won't be clear until Q2 2025. In this year and a half, businesses will need strong financial positions, solid market positions, and exceptional management skills to survive. Those who can successfully navigate these challenges and maintain a competitive edge may gain a larger market share and achieve long-term success. Will you be attending the Taipei Bicycle Show in March this year? It's the perfect opportunity to see which companies are standing strong and have the substance to weather the economic storm. #bicycles