ELECTRIC MOTION Now In Motion In North America
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hat was once a crazy idea has become the next big thing in the two-wheeled market, believes Mark Berg. Dealers may know the industry veteran as the GasGas guy, but with the changing of the ownership to KTM, this Midwest visionary is ready to shock the industry with his new business model and eclectic product mix of electric motorcycles, among other things. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, Central Powersports Distribution is specializing in small European OEMs and powersports accessories manufacturers to bring their products to the US market. Chief among these brands is Electric Motion. “Electric drive in two-wheel motorcycles is on the forefront of new markets and sales are increasing due to their capabilities,” says CPD head Mark Berg. “Electric off-road and trials motorcycles were just a wild idea a couple of years ago… now the products are ready for any adventure, especially the Electric Motion trials bikes.” Based in Vendargues, France, Electric Motion is the leader in design, reliability and performance in electric trials bikes…. And has been for the past decade. “Our company is very happy and proud to announce the recent establishment of its collaboration with CPD,” adds Philippe Aresten owner of Electric Motion. “Getting in front of a growing interest for electric motorcycles in general and Electric Motion trials bikes in particular, we were looking for the best solution to develop our U.S. sales.
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“Mark Berg is working with our sales management to set up a dedicated structure,” notes Aresten. “The goal is to show the seriousness of our respective companies through the promotion, sale and after-sales service of Electric Motion bikes. This collaboration is one more ‘step’ in the strategy to capitalize on the growing interest in trials as well as accessing a new ‘leisure’ oriented customer base”, according to Arestan. BACK STORY Electric Motion started out in 2009 and has grown through the efforts of more than 64 distributors worldwide. The concept of “Electric Mobility” is emerging as the technology of the future to combat air pollution, provide green energy transportation and eliminate noise pollution. Customers can now train in their own backyards, local trails or virtually anywhere without the sound or fumes of a gas-powered trials bike notes Arestan. However, to get this concept to take hold in the U.S., CPD has been brought into the mix. “We plan on bridging the gap between the dealer and the consumer who wants an Electric Motion motorcycle,” explains Berg. “We have plans of making it very, very easy for a dealer to carry Electric Motion, represent and sell the product while we at the office can supply parts direct to the consumer after the sale with an online shopping cart system for OEM parts and accessories. Best of all, the dealer will continue to retain profits from the direct sale of parts with monthly commission credits!”