January 28, 2008
Piaggio launches premium scooters in Qatar
THE Piaggio Group in association with their local partners, the Alfardan Motorcycle Centre, launched a range of scooters in Qatar at a function on Thursday.
Products are being launched under the Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera brand names. The launch was held at the recently opened Alfardan Motorcycle Centre at Khalifa Town.
The products are the Vespa, Piaggio’s three wheeled 400cc MP3 and the Gilera 500cc “performance” scooter which promises to embarrass many motorcycles.
The MP3 is the first three-wheeled scooter, with two wheels in the front which provide “much greater grip and safety than conventional scooters and two-wheelers”.
Gilera will soon be launching the fastest scooter ever made, the GP800, which Piaggio claims will be capable of 200kph.
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Vespa motors into Newfoundland
He’s long been known as the go-to guy for snowboarding gear in St. John’s, and now Ballistic owner Lorne Loder is making a name for himself when it comes to warmer-weather activities as well.
Loder has recently become the province’s first — and exclusive — dealer of Vespa, the iconic Italian motor scooter.
Loder, who opened Ballistic on Water Street 12 years ago, at the age of 26, said he had once considered buying used Vespas in Europe and shipping them back here to sell, but decided against it.
In late November, a business contact from Toronto connected him with Morey Chaplick, president of Canadian Scooter Corp., which imports Vespas to Canada.
“Within 10 or 15 minutes on the phone, he said, ‘Book a ticket to Toronto, I want to show you what we do here,’” Loder explained. “I met with him for two days and flew back home with an order in my hand.”
Just before Christmas, Loder placed four Vespa scooters in his storefront windows — and they immediately created a buzz.
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Peugeot's Sum Up scooter
The Sum Up is a brand new 125cc scooter from Peugeot. Its twin halogen headlights, alloy wheels and sport profile tyres, from the front the Sum Up is reminiscent of Peugeot's iconic Speedfight scooter. However this scooter is big on comfort and practicality as well as looks. The broad two-person seat and flat floor pan provide space and comfort for both rider and passenger, while the wide bodywork at the front gives protection from the elements.
A underseat storage bay and robust metal carry rack boost luggage capacity while a glove compartment means essential items can be kept close at hand.
Equipped with 13'' wheels, this 125cc air-cooled scooter offers an excellent balance between stability and manoeuvrability and at 115 KG it is one of the lighter scooters in its class. It is fitted with both electric and kick start as standard as well as side and centre stand, making parking and starting as easy as possible.
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Vespa to make a comeback!
Vespa - once a household name in India and also the one time partner of Bajaj Auto to start its scooter journey, is coming back and this time, all alone. CNBC-TV18 reports Piaggio, the maker of Vespa has plans to more than just enter the Indian two-wheeler market.
The classic scooter, Vespa will be back on Indian roads by 2010 and this time its a solo ride. Vespa maker, Piaggio has set a target of producing 150,000 two-wheelers per year initially.
Along with the traditional Vespa scooter, adrenaline pumping motorcycles like Moto Guzzi and Aprilia from Piaggio are also on the way.
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January 22, 2008
Sailers vie to win a Vectrix
Yesterday literally in the shadows of the Telstra Dome stadium and the skyscrapers of the newest downtown borough of Melbourne, the Docklands, twenty teams of sailors put it all on the line for their chance at a brand new electric scooter (yes, that's right) in the 'Vectrix King of the Docklands Regatta.'
Very puffy 12-20 knot winds whipped through the buildings and across old shipping yards onto the stadium-like racecourse scattering five new Laser SB3 class sportboats around at breakneck speed.
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Piaggio to launch scooters in India
MUMBAI - Piaggio will step up production in India and launch scooters in a market that is set to play a greater role in the Italian firm's global operations, its chief executive said on Tuesday.
Faced with a stagnant market in Europe, Piaggio is investing in China, India and Vietnam, and expects Asia's contribution to total sales at 30-35 percent by 2010 from about 20 percent now.
"The Asia-Pacific region offers immense opportunity," Roberto Colaninno said at a news conference.
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January 20, 2008
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Saying "I Love You" in Scooterese
Vespa is touting their LX line of scooters as a creative way to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day, and frankly, I find the idea strangely intriguing.
The 50cc model seen here (click to enlarge) runs $3,199, while the (relatively) brawnier 150cc model will relieve your would-be loved one's bank account of $4,299.
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January 17, 2008
Florida Scooter Billboard Company Goes Solar
Outside Promotions, a Melbourne, Florida, company that uses scooters to pull advertising billboards about town, has added solar technology to their fleet.
The Scooter billboards charge during the day, and are then ready for night time campaigning.
Scooter billboards which have been used on many successful advertising campaigns in the UK and Europe are now becoming more popular here in the United States.
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Scooter sales boom, bring safety and legal issues
As scooter sales rise throughout the country, some riders are taking their scooters to UA sidewalks and Fayetteville highways, causing increased safety and legal concerns, students and police said in interviews.
At the end of last semester, the number of registered scooters and motorcycles on campus had increased to 68 since the 2005-06 school year, said Andy Gilbride, program adviser for the UA Transit and Parking Department. Of those 68 vehicles, 29 were registered in the last six months of 2007, he said.
However, discrepancy regarding campus scooter laws has been evident, said Lt. Gary Crain, public information officer for the UA Police Department.
"On campus, scooters are prohibited from sidewalks," he said. "There are about three different policies that prohibit scooters from the sidewalk."
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Scooter rider sues city for $150,000 after being hit by squad car
RACINE - A woman is filing a claim of almost $150,000 against the city after an on-duty Racine police officer hit her while she was on her electric scooter in mid-August.
The city attorney’s office has denied the city’s liability and the City Council will be ruling on the claim Tuesday.
According to the accident report, Clara Bridgeman and officer Joseph Spaulding were both at the corner of Packard Avenue and 16th Street at the same time.
Spaulding signaled to turn right onto 16th Street, accelerated slightly and hit Bridgeman, knocking over her scooter.
Officer Jon Principe, who was riding in the passenger seat, said Bridgeman and Spaulding each came to a complete stop, and Bridgeman yielded her right of way by initially waiting on the curb.
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Scooter riders need to show responsibility
The scooter was invented in 1946 in Europe as an economical alternative to the car. The popularity of the Vespa has soared with the number of registered scooters and motorcycles at the UA increasing to 68 vehicles since the 2005-06 school year, according to an article in today's issue of The Arkansas Traveler.
But as this new toy makes its way back into the popular scene, it has also made its way through our sidewalks.
According to an Arkansas ordinance, it is illegal to ride scooters on the sidewalks, and yet the scooters remain.
In today's article in the Traveler, students and officials alike said the scooters on sidewalks have become a real problem. And we on the editorial board agree.
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Singing the scooter refresher course blues
I've been riding my Vespa for five years - and yet I am still required by law to attend a one-day refresher course every two years to check that I haven't gone blind or forgotten how to make it go in a straight line.
The authorities consider my scooter too little and girlish to require a proper licence, and yet a bit too dangerous to let any unqualified loon charge about the streets on it.
Posted by Frank at 6:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 14, 2008
Saturn Partners With Segway for FlexTransit
DETROIT -- Today at the North American International Auto Show Segway and General Motors are showcasing a comprehensive solution for eco-friendly mobility - the Saturn Flextreme concept car with integrated Segway Personal Transporters.
The Flextreme is built on GM's global E-Flex electric drive architecture that was first debuted by the Opel brand at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show last October. The Flextreme design is the first functional automotive concept that integrates an onboard storage and charging system for two Segway PTs.
"Segway is committed to developing safe, clean, innovative products that are redefining transportation for consumers and businesses," said Jim Norrod, Segway's chief executive officer. "The Flextreme concept with integrated Segway PTs is a great example of the evolution of transportation."
The two Segway PTs housed in the concept's FlexLoad(R) cargo space operate on the same balancing technology used in the well-known personal transporters available today. Using Segway Smart Motion(TM) -- a unique combination of sensors, propulsion and intelligence -- the Segway PT balances in place and moves in response to the way the rider moves his or her body forward, backward, left or right.
Special adjustments have been made to the Segway PT prototypes for easy loading and unloading into the Flex-Load cargo space. The tire diameter and track width were optimized to fit inside the vehicle and the prototypes have a unique exterior design to match the look and feel of the Flextreme, making them a cohesive part of this integrated transportation solution. Most notably, these Segway PT units have retractable handlebars that allow for more compact storage. Built into the Flex-Load cargo area are ramps used to load and unload the Segway PTs. The Segway PT units attach to a docking station inside the cargo space where they recharge while the Flextreme batteries charge.
"Saturn has a legacy of environmental responsibility, so products like this Flextreme concept with its integrated Segway PTs showcase our continued pursuit of consumer-focused, green technologies," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn's General Manager.
"The Segway and GM teams worked closely to integrate the Segway PT into the Flextreme's functionality and innovative design," said Doug Field, Segway's chief technology officer. "It was a collaboration that resulted in one package with both short and long-distance transportation solutions."
Like the Flextreme, the Segway PT is electrically powered and does not produce emissions during operation. Powered by two lithium-ion batteries, the Segway PT typically takes eight to ten hours to charge at a 110/220 volt outlet and consumes about one kilowatt hour of energy while recharging(1).
Considering a rider can travel up to 24 miles on one battery charge the Segway PT consumes .0.052 kilowatt hours per mile on average. The production of 52 watt-hours of electricity creates 0.081 lbs. of carbon dioxide - that is 70 to 80 percent less than the emissions created by other individual transportation devices such as gas-powered scooters or motorcycles, respectively(2). Moreover, the Segway PT is four to five times more energy efficient than a motorcycle or scooter.
The Saturn Flextreme concept with Segway PT prototypes will be on display at the NAIAS Jan. 14 - 27, 2008 at the Cobo Hall Convention Center in Detroit.
Source: Segway Inc., via Car Buyer's Notebook
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January 13, 2008
Peugeot Vivacity 3 Scooter
Peugeot has given its popular Vivacity scooter a complete makeover and has created a brand new category of bike in the process: the compact mini-GT.
Peugeot’s designers were keen to repeat the success of the original Vivacity, having sold several hundred thousand in under 10 years, and so researched consumer needs and market trends in order to create a contemporary scooter.
It was clear that riders’ expectations in respect of urban scooters focused principally around three points: (1) Storage capacity, (2) Design and (3) Value.
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January 10, 2008
Leo Motors Electric Scooters Approved for Korean Government Offices
LAS VEGAS -- Leo Motors, Inc was selected by the Korean Ministry of Environment as an electric scooter supplier to central government offices.
The electric scooter model “Leo 1000” has passed all requirements of the performance standards test used by the Ministry of Environment of Korea. The Leo 1000 is equipped with a lithium polymer battery that can run 100km (a little over 62 miles) on a home plug-in charge.
The public procurement service plans to continue the purchase of electric scooters from Leo Motors as substitutes for existing gas scooters in their efforts to support an emission free and lower noise environment. The gas scooters widely used for deliveries throughout the country were criticized by the public for their noise in the night and contribution to Korea’s serious air pollution issues. The Leo Motors electric scooters are priced at about $3,200 each - including $1,000 of government subsidy.
The government offices have already purchased over 500 electric scooters so far in their transportation reform. They are continually brought into service as replacements for gas scooters. It is estimated that this effort will help reduce carbon monoxide (CO) by 8% and hydrocarbon (HC) by 7.4% of total vehicle pollution sources.
Dr. John Lee, CEO of Leo Motors Inc., stated, “We expect Leo Motors electric scooters to have price competitiveness without government subsidy for the commercial market at large when the scooter manufacturing facility in China initiates mass production this year. We believe that considerable demand will come as buyers evaluate the maintenance and operation cost, which is 1/10th of gas scooters, and the environmental benefit of electric scooters.”
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TGB Delivery Scooter
The price of motoring is soaring fast and there is no end in sight. Using data from the RAC and calculating the direct running costs over 6000 miles, even a seven or eight year old 1200cc cc hatchback will easily relieve you of nearly £1,300 in fuel, repairs, tax breakdown cover each year.
While Britain's motorists are not alone in facing fuel and servicing cost inflation, elsewhere in the world there seems to be a greater readiness to accept solutions such as electric power or microcars as acceptable personal transport alternatives. Even In the USA the market is a-changing and compact neighbourbood vehicles are appearing in small but significant numbers in urban settings.
Posted by Frank at 9:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooter is a ladies thing, too
New Delhi -- The scooter segment in India is hotting up, literally. While 2007 saw the launch of Kinetic’s Flyte, Bajaj Kristal and Suzuki Access, 2008 is likely to be all the more exciting, with Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) unveiling Blade and Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India (HMSI) coming up with a premium scooter Aviator, taking the total number of launches in the segment to five in less than a year.
The New Year will see Companies vying to woo women buyers. While, Blade (125cc) will cater to males, Flyte and Access (both 125cc) will be for females.
“With the society opening up and more women taking up jobs, they have more money to shell out to own their personal vehicle,” says NK Rattan of HMSI. The company, on Wednesday launched Aviator (102cc).
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Honda eyes 100,000 India scooter sales
NEW DELHI -- Honda Motor Co's Indian two-wheeler unit expects to sell 100,000 of its new gearless scooters, launched on Wednesday, in financial year 2008/09, a senior company official said.
The scooter, named Aviator, will cost 39,675 rupees in New Delhi, Shinji Aoyama, chief executive officer of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd, said during its launch at an annual auto show.
Honda has about 12 percent of India's two-wheeler market, which saw sales of 5.5 million units in the nine months to December.
"We are seeking sales of 1.2 million units by 2010 with the launch of various models at affordable prices," Aoyama said.
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Drunk driver – riding a 3mph scooter
A DISABLED man has been prosecuted for drink-driving after riding his "3mph" mobility scooter while four times the limit.
Thomas Lowry, 59, would not have committed an offence had he remained on the pavement, Burnley magistrates were told.
But he fell foul of the law after travelled into the road - where drink-driving laws become applicable for the scooters.
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Honda launches 'Aviator' scooter
NEW DELHI: Two wheeler maker Honda Motorcycles Scooter India today unveiled its new automatic scooter Aviator priced at Rs 39,675 (ex-showroom Delhi).
The 102cc powered scooter will be available across the country from March onwards. The company is targeting to sell 1 lakh units of Aviator in the next fiscal.
"Aviator is targeted at males and we plan to sell about as many as 1 lakh units of the scooter in the next fiscal. Our overall target of sales is around 1 million units of which 7 lakh will be scooters and three lakh motorcycles during this period." HMSI Head Sales and Marketing N K Rattan told reporters at the 9th Auto Expo.
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Scooters Move the Crowd at Vegas Trade Show
LAS VEGAS -- Around this time each year, Sin City becomes Geekville. It's the Consumer Electronics Show -- the mecca for everything techie. This year an exiting, innovative and useful toy caught Gadget Grrl's eye: the all-electric maxi scooter. It does lots of nifty little tricks, but costs a pretty penny. Next, a veteran device gets a fresh look: adapters. These new ones are made for the Apple (AAPL - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry Pearl and 8800.
I've been covering CES since 1996 and there is nothing better than finding a new product or technology that is as innovative and/or useful as the Vectrix, an all-electric maxi scooter.
I took a test ride on the back of the V3 model and can report that it's not only a smooth and quiet ride but you don't have to deal with the smell or the heat of a gas-powered vehicle.
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January 7, 2008
Want to beat the gas crunch?
Someday, say Danny and Geri Cordova, there could be a Scooter Roo store on the West Side, maybe even in Rio Rancho.
Their products have already beaten them here.
Scooter Roo — not to be confused with Scooby-Do — is the Cordovas’ store in Northeast Albuquerque, where you can beat the gas crunch by riding on two wheels.
And that’s what Geri Cordova does on a daily basis, content to get 80 miles to the gallon on the nifty Velux she rides.
“It’s an eye-catcher,” she says. The two-wheeler has a roof that’s easily removed, an AM/FM/CD player, which she said “makes it kind of fun,” and the scooter can get 70-75 mpg with its 150 cubic-centimeter motor, attracting stares of amazement at the eye-catcher. She spends about $3 a week for gas, she said.
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January 2, 2008
Vectrix Electric Scooter
The Vectrix electric scooter offers all the benefits of a gasoline-powered scooter with reduced carbon dioxide and smog-forming pollutants.
It can reach a speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) and accelerates rapidly, reaching a speed of 50 mph (96 km/h) within 6.8 seconds. The Vectrix is also quieter than gasoline-powered scooters and has lower maintenance costs. The battery-powered, non-polluting scooter can be quickly charged using any standard electrical outlet.
In comparison to other electric scooters, the Vectrix has a longer range (between 2-3 times longer, which translates into 35-55 miles/55-90 km per charge, depending on the driving speed), twice the acceleration speed, and a double top speed. In addition, its center of gravity is lower and it has a longer wheel base, making it safer to drive and easier to handle.
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