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9 January 2009
n e w s
BMW Motorrad Australia New Zealand
celebrates another record year in 2008
BMW Motorrad in Australia and New
Zealand has secured another record sales
performance underlining the strength of
the brand and the growing appeal of its
ever widening portfolio of motorcycles.
In 2008, BMW Motorrad added seven
new models to its Australian and New
Zealand line-ups which helped secure
the exceptional result of 2,119 machines
delivered to customers across both
markets. This represents growth of close
to six percent for the year.
The figure could have been even
higher, since the biggest selling individual
model, the BMW R 1200 GS was run out
at the end of 2007 leaving dealers with
no stock for almost three months until the
facelifted BMW R 1200 GS arrived with
the revised R 1200 GS Adventure, both
of which were launched at the BMW GS
Safari in March.
Furthermore, the two most hotly
anticipated all-new machines joining
the BMW family did not arrive until
very late in the year: the BMW FG 800
GS and the BMW G 450 X.
They were both launched in
October. Also joining the line up in
2008 were the BMW F 650 GS parallel
twin preceded by the BMW G 650
Xcountry and G 650 Xmoto singles.
The BMW F 800 GS arrived with a
huge backlog of orders to be filled,
only a few of which were actually
delivered within the 2008 total, the
remainder to be delivered in early 2009.
With a huge year just behind it, BMW
Motorrad is shaping for an even more
exciting12 months in 2009, with the
launch of the Works Superbike Team and
the debut of the BMW S 1000 RR, with
Australian Troy Corser joining Ruben
Xaus in the hunt for podiums and glory
on the tar. A full complement of BMW G
450 X works riders will take the innovative
race-bred dirt bike to the Works Enduro
Championships once again.
BMW Motorrad has a busy year in 2009
with the arrival in March of the BMW K
1300 S, BMW K 1300 R and BMW K 1300
GT four-cylinder update models, while the
long-awaited BMW HP2 Sport is destined
for an imminent Australian debut.
“Our dealers were initially deprived of
stock through the first part of the year after
a successful BMW R 1200 GS run out,”
says Cameron Cuthill, General Manager
BMW Motorrad Australia and New
Zealand.
“That situation has certainly been
addressed. Now we are working through
the backlog of orders for the BMW F 800
GS, for which very many people were
waiting very patiently for a long time
through 2008.
“We are delighted that once again
the BMW R 1200 GS is our top seller,
underlining the enduring appeal of this
go-anywhere machine, that suits both
urban riding as much as longer trips, and
of course the Adventure which is still the
benchmark for serious challenges off the
beaten track.
“With the launch of the BMW G 450 X
enduro, we have entered yet another new
segment of the market. The response
has been positive. With its innovative
engineering and agile handling the G
450 X will have a very strong future in
Australia.
“After being supply constrained
on hot stock for much of the year,
we should see far better supplies
reaching dealerships in 2009; not to
mention the arrival of the updated
four-cylinder K Series bikes, which
sporty riders will no doubt be
looking forward to with unmatched
enthusiasm,” Cameron said.
LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION HONDA HOME OPENS ITS DOORS IN MELBOURNE’S NORTH
A new Lighthouse Foundation “Honda
Home” begins operating in late 2008,
providing long term accommodation in the
northern region of Melbourne for a group
of young people who would otherwise be
homeless.
The Home is the result of Honda
Australia making a significant contribution
over three years to establish a residence
through the Foundation, the biggest
contribution the company has ever made
to one charitable organisation.
Honda donated funds have been
earmarked specifically to support, run
and administer the home which is located
approximately 30 minutes from the City.
The residence has now been leased,
furnished and staffed with a full time carer.
The Lighthouse Live-in Care Program
provides disadvantaged young people
with a stable family environment, living
together with a full-time carer who
provides constant emotional and practical
support.
Honda Home residents - aged 15 to 22
- are further supported by volunteers who
assist them in dealing with daily and long
term issues.
While the Lighthouse program is highly
unique and extremely successful, the level
of care provided is not possible without
corporate financial support.
According to Honda’s Managing
Director Stuart Strickland, the work the
Foundation does is incredibly beneficial to
the community.
“I’m proud to be part of something that
gives young people the chance to realise
their dreams,” said Mr Strickland.
“When we saw how much demand
there was for the Lighthouse programs
in Victoria, we realised one of the most
directly valuable activities we could do
would be to create an entirely new home.”
Youth homelessness is worse now
than it was 20 years ago, with nearly half
of all homeless people in Australia under
24 years old, according to the National
Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth
Homelessness conducted earlier this year.
Anyone interested in finding out more
about Lighthouse activities can approach
representatives at the event or visit: www.
lighthousefoundation.org.au
BIKEBusiness
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