Australia’s Vmoto to make electric two-wheeler for Ducati

Electric motorcycle and scooter company Vmoto has struck a potentially game-changing deal with Italian motorbike mainstay Ducati that will see it become both manufacturer and distributor for a specially branded electric two-wheeler under the Ducati name.

Under the global licensing agreement it has inked with Ducati, Vmoto will make and distribute a special edition Ducati CU-X moped style vehicle and hopes it will assist the brand to continue to build presence overseas, driving growth and sales into 2020.

Vmoto, which has headquarters in Perth, Australia, already has a network of distributors across the globe, particularly in Europe where it has been focussing on developing its consumer and B2B markets.

At the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA 2018) event in Italy last year, it attracted significant interest when it showcased its Super Soco CUX electric scooter and TC-Max electric motorcycle.

Now, the deal cut with Ducati will see the electric motorcycle manufacturer (which wholly owns a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China) build and distribute the Ducati CU-X until the end of 2020.

The Vmoto CU-X on which the Ducati special edition will be based has a range of 75-80km according to the company’s website, with 115Nm torque and Bosch electric motor.

Vmoto managing director Charles Chen said in a note that the company is thrilled that Ducati is bringing its premium reputation and brand to Vmoto’s electric motorcycles.

“The deal will allow Ducati’s fans to have the opportunity to access premium and high-quality two-wheel electric vehicles supplied by Vmoto and create more confidence to Vmoto’s expanding distributors especially in Europe and further grow Vmoto’s product awareness in these markets,” he said.

“The release of these premium, limited-edition, two-wheel electric vehicles will command higher pricing and profit margins and are expected to contribute to sales growth over the next two financial years.”

While Vmoto has reportedly been struggling for several years as it attempts to establish itself on the global motorcycle stage, the new deal with Ducati could see big changes for the company, which has already seen shares jump from $A0.78 at close on Tuesday to a top of $A0.16 on Thursday, and now steady at $A0.13.