Jo Beckendorff

DACUN TOWNSHIP, Taiwan - In this year's first sales quarter Taiwan's second-largest bicycle manufacturer Merida Industry Co. Ltd. brought in total consolidated sales of TWD 8.39 billion (€252.93 million), a slight 2.8% increase compared to 2022.

TOKYO, Japan - The bicycle market figures for 2022 presented by the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JPBI) showed that the pandemic played a completely different role on the Japanese bicycle market than in the western world. Bike Europe tried to find out why the virus didn't lead to a sales boom as it did in Europe.

KEMPTEN, Germany - Starting just five years ago with an online market place for buying and selling second-hand premium e-bikes, today's business of e-mobility provider Rebike Mobility GmbH's consists of two strong pillars: subscription (which was expanded this year to a B2B business for rental fleets) and used-bikes. But the heart of all this is - refurbishment. Refurbishment is predicted to go big.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - A proposed investment in Stages Cycling by Giant has stalled. "The company and counterparties were unable to reach a mutual consensus on the terms of the definitive agreements," a statement announced.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Inventory reductions in the European and North American markets as well as the higher year-on-year comparison base, have had a direct impact on Giant Group's first quarter sales. The Taiwanese company has reported a 9.6% sales drop in Q1.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - According to precision gearbox manufacturer hGears AG, its first quarter 2023 results are in line with expectations. The strong performance of the premium, luxury and sports car segments was not able to compensate for the decline of the two other business segments e-mobility and e-tools - but at least cushioned it.

WINNENDEN, Germany - In response to market changes, German wholesaler and distributor WM Trading GmbH was transformed and sold off its trading business. Under the new label Velobyrd (by WM Trading) the company is now concentrating on R&D as well as frame and components production in Asia. At Eurobike several Velobyrd innovations will be introduced at the WM Trading booth.

DRESDEN, Germany - In its latest financial statement, online retailer Bike24 Holding AG speaks of a "persistently uncertain economic environment" which results in a year-on-year decline of its net sales by 10.5% to € 55.27 million in Q1-2023. In addition, increasing financing expenses exceeded € 10 million in the first three months of this year.

MUNICH, Germany - Bikesale Solutions GmbH, Germany's 'first professional online bicycle market-place for used bicycles' asked for insolvency on March 29th. The appointed administrator is now looking for an investor for the ailing bicycle refurbisher.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Due to the increased demand from its customers for e-cargobike chassis, frame builder A-Pro Tech Co. Ltd. has set up its own production line dedicated to cargobikes in Taiwan.