I would be interested to hear your views (and other companies) on where you feel the marketplace is and what the future holds. I have made some sweeping assumptions above but I do believe there is a mass market waiting to be tapped by the right company. You make good specification bikes, seem to provide good customer satisfaction based on what we read in here and also seem to have have a bike of wide appeal aesthetically. I think you could make a pot of cash as well as improve the health of the nation and save the planet if you take the risk of expansion.
Hi again Paul,
I absolutely agree with you, according to Extra Energy Germany, 200,000 e bikes were sold in Europe last year, where as in access of 20,000,000 pedal cycles were sold in the same period. We absolutely believe that within the next few years the number of electric bikes will exceed 10% of all bike sales and the European market alone will be worth in access of 2 billion €.
As you are no doubt aware, there are many models of electric bike on the market ranging from the cheap Chinese models for local Chinese use that can be bought for about $200.00, through to the Japanese Panasonic made from Titanium and Polycarbonate that*retails for more than*$7000.00.* It goes without saying that this wide price range is the same*for most products from cars to washing up liquid.
It is our opinion that a good quality mid range e-bike if marketed properly and backed by;
A strong easily recognised corporate image, supported by global and local marketing
A solid and dependable warranty
Constantly available after sales service
Good technical support through local service centers
will become a very strong contender in what is likely to become a hard fort but profitable market.
It is very rare to find an opportunity*such as*this, a new market that is not dominated by one of the multinationals, we do believe however that*the big players*will be coming to the market soon.* That is why*it is most important to build a strong brand as early as possible and create a multinational partnership to promote and drive that brand.
Rather than simply setting up global dealers and distributors we are in the process of setting up "The Wisper Partnership", if you would like full details please drop me a line.
The Wisper Partnership concept is not only about buying power and marketing, but also the pooling of ideas and market intelligence from colleagues all over the world. By the sharing ideas and local knowledge Wisper Partners will jointly have the*intellectual power, research and development capabilities of any of the larger companies who eventually come to the market, but will also have the ability to move very quickly.
As an example: Our New Zealand partner Anthony Clyde has just presented drawings of a superb and innovative kit that converts a standard push bike into an e bike. Anthony a keen mountain bikes and electronics engineer has been working on this project for some time as he feels that kits currently available are too cumbersome and difficult to fit. Through the Wisper Fund we have now started tool design and will have the Wisper conversion kit on the market for early 2009. It will marketed through the Wisper Partnership a royalty will be paid to Anthony in NZ for each unit sold.
To sum up Paul, I fervently believe in the market, but it has been very tough and expensive to get even this far. Our bikes are now being produced in quantity and are being shipped all over the world. According to our cash flow forecasts we will have the "where with all" to launch a strong marketing and advertising campaign for the 2009 season, but as my accountant says, "there are lies, damn lies, statistics and cash flow forecasts!" We will see.
Best regards David