SINGAPORE - Electric motorcycle maker EuroSports Technologies has teamed up with SMRT-owned Strides Transportation to develop, market and supply smart electric motorbikes. In an announcement to the Singapore Exchange on Monday (April 19), EuroSports Technologies said the two local companies have signed a memorandum of understanding which will see Strides appointed as the sole distributor of commercial electric motorcycles in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region. This range of two- and three-wheelers will be separate from EuroSports' Scorpio brand of premium electric motorbikes. They will be targeted for food delivery and logistics applications. EuroSports Technologies - part of listed sportscar distributor EuroSports Global - will be rolling out the new range of commercial motorbikes by the fourth quarter of this year - ahead of the Scorpio's 2022 production. Like the Scorpio, these motorcycles will be equipped with smart features such as over-the-air software updates, connectivity to the Internet of Things and in-house charging systems. But they will have lower performance, fewer premium features and a substantially lower price tag. Formed in 2016, Strides provides limousine and premium bus services in Singapore, and car leasing and limousine services in Myanmar. EuroSports chief executive Melvin Goh described the non-binding MOU as a "momentous milestone". He added: "As the creator of Scorpio Electric, the first Singapore home-grown high-performance smart electric motorcycle, we are proud to fly our flag high in the international scene with Strides. "The collaboration will broaden the scope of our reach to tap the unfulfilled potential of regional electric vehicle markets." SMRT Road Holdings president Tan Kian Heong said: "This collaboration is part of our plans to build businesses in the electric vehicle ecosystem towards a greener Singapore and South-east Asia region." The SMRT subsidiary has been exploring more sustainable transport modes. Three years ago, it announced that it would add Toyota hydrogen fuel cell cars to its fleet. Mr Tan said Strides will work closely with EuroSports "to make this partnership a fruitful venture". Global sales of electric vehicles are accelerating on the back of more stringent emission standards around the world. According to a study by business consultancy McKinsey in October 2020, the market for electric two and three-wheelers was valued at around US$97 billion (S$129 billion) - or 4 per cent of global auto sales. By 2022, this could reach US$150 billion, with the biggest growth expected in emerging markets. More on this topic Related Story Public electric vehicle charging point tender draws 19 bids; 600 points to be up from end-August Related Story MPs raise concerns over charging points, costs in S'pore's electric vehicle push The MOU is valid for one year up to March 31, 2022. As at end-2020, Eurosports Technologies had raised US$8.5 million in funds. It hopes to raise another US$15 million by end of this year.
BANGKOK, Apr 1, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Honda announced an amalgamation of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd., Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and HPD Co., Ltd., a shareholding company, -- forming a new company named "Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd." The establishment of the new company was effective on the 31st of March 2021."This amalgamation will strengthen Honda motorcycle operations in Thailand, making the brand more responsive to customers and ready for future market needs" said Mr. Masayuki Igarashi, Chief Officer for Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., Ltd.The new company will combine the strengths of each company with a focus on delivering new motorcycles and power products that exceed customer expectations. This amalgamation will also eliminate redundancies, and increase speed and accuracy.Mr. Shigeto Kimura, former president of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd. will be in charge as the first president of the new company to ensure a smooth consolidation of sales and production sides.There will be no change in the distribution channel of Honda motorcycles and power products in Thailand for the time being. Honda Wing Center network will still distribute Honda motorcycles while Honda BigWing network will serve customers with its big bikes (400cc or above). CUB House, the showroom for value-added products, will still run its business without any change. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Mar 29, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles (Consortium) has reached an agreement to standardize swappable batteries and replacement systems, allowing battery sharing and paving the way for increased adoption of electric motorcycles in Japan.The Consortium was established by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. in April 2019, aimed at increasing the adoption of electric motorcycles in Japan. Since its inception, the Consortium has been formulating the standards for mutual-use swappable batteries and their replacement systems, as a solution to the issues preventing widespread adoption of electric motorcycles as a more environmentally friendly and convenient form of mobility - the drive range and reduction of charging time. In order to establish the convenience and effectiveness of mutual-use swappable batteries, the Consortium has been cooperating since last year with the "e-Yan OSAKA" field tests conducted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association's Electric Motorcycle Promotion Subcommittee in collaboration with Osaka Prefecture and the national university corporation Osaka University, aimed at popularizing and increasing the adoption of environmentally-friendly electric motorcycles.Parts of the common specifications agreed upon are compliant with the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. Organization (JASO) technical paper TP21003 issued on March 19. The Consortium will conduct technical verification and standardization of mutual-use swappable batteries, based on these common specifications. With the heightening worldwide demand for the electrification of mobility to realize a carbon-neutral society, the Consortium will work hand in hand with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association to realize international mutual-use (international standardization).As environmental awareness increases globally, the Consortium believes that cooperative consideration and promotion within the entire motorcycle industry, to build an environment for widespread adoption within the motorcycle industry, is vital to motorcycles continuing to be the customers' mobility of choice, and aims to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.Noriaki Abe | Consortium Representative Secretary, and Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd."This agreement for the standardization of mutual-use batteries is an achievement made possible through the four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers working together over the past two years. I am grateful to all those associated with the Consortium and the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. for their understanding and support. While we will continue cooperation to build an environment allowing battery mutual-use based on our agreement, we will also be competing with each other to develop attractive products that meet the needs of our customers. Through our efforts in both cooperation and competition, we will work towards the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles to realize a sustainable society." Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)