Zero Motorcycles Launches Dealer Network

Zero Motorcycles announced a new network of eight dealerships as the electric motorcycle company begins the transition from an online-based sales model to a traditional showroom sales model.

Until now, Zero conducts its sales over the Internet with the help of a system of Independent Representatives around the country who use a handful of demo models instead of actual inventory to showcase the brand.

As both demand and production have increased, Zero is ready to adopt a new dealer-based model. The company says it will eventually stop selling directly to customers except where reaching a dealer is not feasible.

Zero has signed eight multi-line dealers to its fledgling network:

Brammo, one of Zero’s top rivals in the electric motorcycle segment, is also working on establishing a dealer network. The company hired former Harley-Davidson Dealer Development Director Jim Marcolina last month to set up its network.

[Source: Zero]

ZERO MOTORCYCLES EXPANDS SALES CHANNEL, ADDING TRADITIONAL DEALERSHIP MODEL FOR ENHANCED CONSUMER RETAIL EXPERIENCE

- Eight Major Powersports Dealers Become 1st in Nation to Put Bikes Directly In Front of Consumers -

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (July 12, 2011) – Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in electric motorcycle technology, today announced the expansion of its current sales model to now include traditional motorcycle dealers as a point of purchase for retail customers. The development of a traditional dealership program has been part of Zero’s strategic plan for more than a year as the company continues to ramp up its manufacturing capabilities. The new dealership experience now provides consumers with a location to see and experience Zero’s expansive and rapidly growing product line all in one place. Eight of the most recognized and largest multi-line dealers have signed on to carry Zero’s entire product line.

- Malcolm Smith Motorsports (Riverside, California)

- MotoWorld of El Cajon (El Cajon, California)

- Escondido Cycle Center (Escondido, California)

- Mission Motorcycles (Daly City, California)

- NorCal MasterCraft (Sacramento/Pleasanton, California)

- Grand Prix Motorsports (Littleton, Colorado)

- C&C Sports (Brighton, Michigan)

- Hitching Post (Fridley/Hopkins/South St. Paul, Minnesota)

“As we continue adding new motorcycles to our product line-up, consumers are looking to experience our products in more of a traditional retail setting that allows for them to touch and feel all of our bikes in one location and at one time,” said John Lloyd, VP of Global Sales, Zero Motorcycles. “It has always been part of our strategic plan to add multi-line dealerships to the mix and the timing is now right for us to move in this direction. Dealers have been requesting we alter our sales model for the past few years so they could begin selling our products and we are now in a position to successfully do this.”

The new dealership model for Zero will include the United States and Canada as part of the initial rollout and is a major transition in the development of Zero’s distribution model (Canadian dealership partners will be announced in an upcoming release). Zero’s current sales channel is predominately internet-driven through www.zeromotorcycles.com, with consumer test rides being conducted by field representatives. Now interested buyers can go directly to their nearest Zero Motorcycles dealership to test ride and buy a Zero on-site. Once the official transition is completed, Zero Motorcycles will no longer sell motorcycles directly to consumers, unless purchasing from a powersports dealer is not feasible.

About Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles is the next step in motorcycle evolution and represents the ultimate electric motorcycle technology. Unencumbered by conventional thinking about how they design, manufacture and sell high performance electric motorcycles, they are on a mission to turn heads and revolutionize their industry by combining the best aspects of a traditional motorcycle with today’s most advanced technology.

By Dennis Chung