Market reports – Kawasaki puts the turbo – Used KAWASAKI

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Kawasaki puts the turbo

Market reports - Kawasaki puts the turbo - Used KAWASAKI

Kawasaki is the Japanese manufacturer which recorded the strongest growth in 2005 with + 9.8%. Of the 13,920 motorcycles sold by the Japanese manufacturer, 7,160 are Z750! And the arrival of the ER-6 should not slow the pace… Interview.

The Z750 dictates its law among mid-capacity roadsters, which remain the most popular category of two-wheelers in France. For its part, the ER-6n is already in 45th place in the year to date in just three months of marketing….

Patrick Marchal, Sales and Marketing Director of Kawasaki Motors France, therefore draws a very positive 2005 assessment and allows himself to see the future with "a reasoned but certain optimism"…

Moto-Net: What is your assessment of 2005? ?
Patrick Marchal, Sales and Marketing Director of Kawasaki Motors France: The results for 2005 are very positive for Kawasaki, which firmly places the Z750 at the top of sales for machines over 125, and ultimately turns out to be the only Japanese brand whose growth is greater than that of the market..

Moto-Net: Which are your best-selling models and why ?
P. M.: The Z750 in its two versions will therefore have been the favorite motorcycle of French bikers this year! And we can consider that this is perfectly logical, given its exceptional style / performance / price ratio. In addition, the commercial debut of the ER-6n is also very promising..

Moto-Net: Which ones are less successful and do you know why ?
P. M.: In fact, it is on the whole Kawasaki range that we have recorded an increase this year: the only models to have "less well" are those which have had to face very aggressive promotions in their segment. competition.

Moto-Net: What was the pleasant surprise of this year ?
P. M.: We can consider that the continued increase in sales of the Z750, and this for the second consecutive year, will have been, if not a surprise, in any case a very motivating confirmation of the brand’s renewed dynamism. From another angle, the exceptional reception given to the ER-6n from its launch by both professionals and users can only encourage us to a reasoned but certain optimism. !

Moto-Net: Which was the worst ?
P. M.: In a way, we can regret that the "S" version of the Z750, whose excellent driving qualities had nevertheless been unanimously underlined during press tests, did not meet its public as strongly as the Naked version. . Yet it is a remarkable road bike.

Moto-Net: Your Z750 and ER-6 are doing well, but where are the others ?
P. M.: The rest of the range also performed very well, since if we look at the end-of-year registration figures, we see that the ZX-6R, in its two versions R and RR, occupies the first position among Hypersports 600, that the Z1000, yet in its 3rd year of marketing, remains the most popular 1000 cc roadster among French bikers, and that the ER-5 has continued to appeal to novice bikers in large numbers.

Moto-Net: Is the 125 project that you didn’t want to reveal to us last year (read) ready ?
P. M.: For the moment, Kawasaki is primarily focused on the development of large-displacement motorcycles. There is therefore no new project 125 expected in the short term….

Moto-Net: What are your goals for 2006 ?
P. M.: In fact, our main objective will be to continue to ensure an increase as close as possible to the 10% recorded this year..

Moto-Net: How will you achieve these goals ?
P. M.:We will have to make the most of the opportunities that will open up to us! In particular by strengthening the quality of service provided to our customers, by optimizing the commercial impact created by the arrival of new models and by demonstrating great responsiveness to promotional operations that could animate the market.

Moto-Net: Are you satisfied with your network ?
P. M.: Overall, the Kawasaki network has shown through the results recorded that it shows real competence and real motivation. We can only be very satisfied !

Moto-Net: You are 4th manufacturer in France, do you expect to overtake Honda next year ?
P. M.: In any case, this will not be an objective in itself. We want above all to surpass ourselves and we will see the results at the end of next year. !

Moto-Net: With Randy de Puniet, Regis Laconi, Stephane Chambon, Maxime Berger and OJ on Kawa, do you expect a renewed interest in your sports in France? Do you plan any special series ?
P. M.: It is true that the representation of Kawasaki in speed races will be exceptionally assured for us French people next season. This can only benefit our brand and more generally strengthen the public’s interest in motorcycles, and that’s good! Obviously, this will be very positive for our Hypersport models, especially since 2006 will see the arrival on the market in February of our new Ninja ZX-10R, a completely revised motorcycle … As for possible series specials, I will give you a response from Norman: for the moment this is not topical, but it is not completely excluded either…

Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE

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