Market reports – Alain Magrammane: the economic situation has significantly reduced our objective – JINLUN occasions

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Alain Magrammane: the economic situation has sharply reduced our objective

Market reports - Alain Magrammane: the economic situation has significantly reduced our objective - JINLUN occasions

With 824 registrations, Jinlun (imported by ASS-K Progress) posted a 98.6% increase in the French motorcycle market. Alain Magrammane, CEO of ASS-K Progress, establishes for Site the 2008 balance sheet of the brand and explains its 2009 objectives to us.

Site: How do you feel about the general evolution of the two-wheeler market in 2008? ?
Alain Magrammane, Managing Director ASS-K Progress: Like every year, the two-wheeler market continues to evolve and grow, with a good start and record numbers. It is obvious that from November the financial crisis had a direct impact on sales of two-wheelers. We can see the rise of Chinese brands, their evolution is very rapid. In the long term, quality after-sales service and a national network will come..

"The time for foreplay is over!"

Site: What is your assessment of your year (in 125 cc) ?
A. M.: Our company is still very young (22 months) and 2008 was our first full year of activity. It’s obvious that this year has been a very positive one. Our flagship model, the JL 125 11, better known as the Highlander, has sold nearly 900 units. This figure may seem ridiculous when compared to sales of the Honda Varadero or other bestsellers, but it takes the place of the best selling 125 custom of the year 2008..

Site: Are you fully satisfied with the results of your JL125 ?
A. M.: We had planned to sell close to 1,000 units for 2008. The end-of-year situation has greatly reduced our objective, but I think however that we can consider that this remains a satisfactory result, especially if we compare it to the results of the others. customs 125, for example the Daelim Daystart which is found to more than 130 sales behind the Highlander while their distribution network is 5 times greater than ours.

Site: What was the good surprise 2008 ?
A. M.: May our Highlander be the best selling custom 125 cc in France !

Site: What was the worst ?
A. M.: Not to find our flagship model or even the Jinlun brand in the various written magazines or specialized websites or other … No comparison made! We intend to do what is necessary this year to ensure that our vehicles are found in journalistic tests and in purchase comparisons..

Site: According to you, what was the highlight of 2008 in the world of two-wheelers? ?
A. M.: A three-wheeler! The arrival of the Piaggio MP3 LT 250 and 400 cc that can be accessed with the B license is a real good idea !

"We ask our dealers to provide quality after-sales service, to restore the image of Chinese vehicles tainted by very insecure importers"

Site: How is your network made up, which establishments sell your vehicles in France ?
A. M.: Our network is still relatively discreet with less than 70 resellers, most of them multi-brand. We do not yet cover all the departments of France. We ask our dealers to show real professionalism, to listen to the customer, to provide quality after-sales service, to restore the image of Chinese vehicles tainted by very unreliable importers. and the first poor quality Chinese vehicles to arrive on the French market.

Site: You can find 250 cc customs in your French catalog. Wouldn’t it be more interesting to import 250 scooters ?
A. M.: It is true that the 250 cc motorcycle market is not the most flourishing in France. The Highlander and the 250 cc V-twin just bring a solution to the owners of the big cube license who very often arrive at a certain age and no longer want to start again on a large displacement, but wish to continue to have fun while driving. on a motorcycle. The Lintex brand taken over by ASS K Progress will soon offer a large 250 cc GT.

Site: Are you going to offer something new in 2009 ?
A. M.: Yes of course ! In addition to Jinlun, ASS-K Progress is now the official France Bashan importer (rather specialized in the manufacture and development of quads, trails and supermotards) as well as Lintex, specialized in the production of scooters and which offers a complete range from 50 to 250 cc.

"The Lintex brand taken over by ASS K Progress will soon offer a big GT 250 cc"

M.-N.C. : What are your goals in 2009 ?
A. M.: We hope to develop our network well in order to end 2009 with more than 200 resellers. Two important events which are the JPMS 2009 and the Mondial du 2 Roues 2009 will allow us to make our products known to the general public and motorcycle professionals. We will also launch an advertising campaign in early March 2009 in various media such as the written press and the internet.

Site: Did the Internet share in your business increase in 2008 ?
A. M.: Of course, being on the internet is essential today. We cannot deny that we owe the development of our company largely to the internet, thanks to our official site but also to the fact of being able to communicate on specialized sites..

"We owe the development of our society largely to the internet"

M.-N.C. : What are your major events in 2009 ?
A. M.: Two major events: the JPMS 2009 and the Mondial du 2 Roues !

Site: What do you think of the new compulsory 3-hour training course for holders of the B permit who wish to taste the joys of 125 ?
A. M.: I think when you want to ride a two-wheeler, whether for pure pleasure or convenience, the watchword is "safety". Many new drivers start buying a two-wheeler without even knowing the most basic driving basics. These three hours of training will not be negligible and I do not think that this could be detrimental to the sale of two-wheelers, it will not be a barrier for the person wishing to acquire a two-wheeler.

Site: will 2009 be the year of the crisis ?
A. M.: I don’t think 2009 will be the year when two-wheeler registrations break records. It will certainly be a year of crisis, but we must remain optimistic and look at the post-crisis years, continue to move forward, innovate and see 2010, 2011, etc. with serenity.

"2009 will undoubtedly be a year of crisis, but we must remain optimistic and look at the post-crisis years"

Site: How do you approach the Mondial du deux-Roues 2009 "New formula" ?
A. M.: With great impatience! We can’t wait to be there, the Mondial is for us a great meeting with the public that should not be missed, an opportunity to make our products known to as many people as possible. Old or new formula, I am convinced that the "two-wheelers-tists" will be there !

Site: In conclusion, which maxim would best illustrate your 2008 balance sheet
A. M.: The time for preliminaries is over, it’s time to go to another level ("time to go another level") !

Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE – Photos DR

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