BACKROADS • APRIL 2022
INDUSTRY INFOBITES Texas-based Volcon Charges Off-Road Volcon Inc. the first all-electric, off-road powersports company, began collecting dealer applications in North America last year to showcase and sell its innovative, industry-leading off-road vehicles. In just 160 days, 365 applications were submitted by interested dealerships across the country.
Page 7
News from the Inside and workers alike can enjoy the outdoors and preserve it for generations to come. Volcon produces all-electric, off-road vehicles that are designed to elevate the adventure experience and help people get things done at work and on the home front. Volcon’s first product, the innovative Grunt combines a fat tire physique with high-torque electric power and a near-silent drive train which started shipping in September of 2021. Future models include the Runt, which is a youth-sized version of the groundbreaking Grunt. The Stag and Beast will be Volcon’s venture into the rapidly expanding world of UTVs and are expected in the future as the company continues to expand. For more information, please visit: www.volcon.com
BUMPER YEAR FOR MOTORCYCLES DESPITE COVID THREATS
The very strong initial response from dealers reinforces Volcon’s anticipated demand for electric powersports in the market and the eagerness of consumers seeking a quality off-road vehicle that offers a deeper connection to their outdoor adventures and lifestyle. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Volcon joins many major electric vehicle manufacturers near Austin, Texas, an area that is poised to become the electric vehicle capital of the world. Volcon was founded with the mission to enhance the outdoor experience while reducing the industry’s environmental footprint so that adventurers
Amidst the doom and gloom of both winter weather and the lingering effects of the global pandemic, it may come as a surprise that 2021 was one of the strongest years for motorcycling in well over a decade, with new bike sales worldwide on an upward swing and more people joining the two-wheeled fold. Anecdotal evidence from training schools here and across the pond reflected a huge surge of people wanting to get into motorcycling and now the latest data confirms it. Ducati reports that 2021 was their best sales year on record, up globally an impressive 24% on 2020, which was heavily impacted by Coronavirus, but also a massive 12% up on 2019. And it’s not just Ducati celebrating success either, with BMW announcing 2021 was their best-ever year of global sales - jumping 14.8% from 2020. Despite concerns an exit from the European Union might hinder growth in the UK, motorcycle sales there increased by 26.6%, spurring a 9.3% rise in registrations.
