The Bloor family have done well for Trumpets so far. 400 job losses - yup that's tough. But it's not just bikes. Most "non essential" sales have been hit hard. Nissan have shut factories - And it will not surprise me if one or two more have to close. Bike shops here are only just starting to open up. No point in making bikes if nowhere can sell them And a large number of folk have (through enforcement) discovered a "new" way of life. COVID has most certainly had huge effects - and (IMO) not all are negative.
Wanna make money - sell hand sanitizers. Or face masks.
Triumph like Harley has a major Achilles heal - No small bikes. I know most of us don't look at them, but they are bread and butter for countries like China and India where quite a few folk (sic) with modest incomes live. Countries where despite public transport being heavily subsidized, the coverage in rural areas with poor utilities need cheap, tough transport. BMW do make scooters and sell quite a few. And KTM? - well here there are baby KTM's everywhere.
But here's the dilemma. The small bike market is HIGHLY competitive, and has no brand loyalty to speak of. It is about price, reliability and comfort. So margins have to be low, and turnover is poor. The Indians and Chinese dominate it. They are somehow able to turnaround designs and features much faster than most. And the Indians seem capable of turning "conventional" production theory on it's head. Same quality, but with amazing simple tech solutions. Often using manpower.
And these folk do not want RETRO looks. They want all mod-cons. Retro is what is already there - and still works. Also, contrary to popular belief, countries like India and China are starting to impose Euro(x) style emissions limits.
I confess to being a member of a dying breed - we, Gentlemen, are dinosaurs. Trimph, like us - has to adapt or die.
