Motor-cycle brands

Press, 7 April 1979, Page 14

Motor-cycle brands

Sir, — Could you please explain why we have only a selection of Japanese motor-cycles available? A few years ago the Vespa, Lambretta, Triumph and Puch scooters were readily obtainable. There are many European firms producing excellent machines in this field, comparable with any Japanese machine. Many people would prefer these to Japanese motor-cycles. Why are they no longer available? — Yours, etc., T. LESLIE. March 15, 1979. (Mr D. J. Boyle, of Wellington, president of the motor-cycle division of the Motor Vehicle Dealers’ Institute, replies: “First, it is not true that we have only a selection of Japanese motorcycles, and from the registration statistics of the last few months the following brands have been registered and none are of Japanese origin. 8.M.W., Germany; Ducati, Italy; Laverda, Italy; Moto Guzzi, Italy; Husqvarna, Sweden; Jawa, Czechoslovakia; Montessa, Spain; Bultaco, Spain; Ossa, Spain; Velo-solex, France; Mobylette, France; Cooper, Mexico; Triumph, Britain; plus several others from Taiwan. Of the four names mentioned only Triumph and Vespa survive, and a New Zealand company has been trying to interest dealers in Vespa, the 150 cc model of which would sell here for $l6OO to $l7OO and is not considered competitive enough with similar capacity machines already available. The comment that many European firms produce ex-

cellent motor-cycles comparable with Japanese is the correspondent’s opinion, but there are many with quite contrary opinions.”]