Maybe A Wise Investor Should Start An E-Bike Dealership


We all know about the success of Tim Horton franchises.

Here's an article about the success of Harley Davidson;

http://www.theglobean...


Maybe e-bikes are the next big opportunity.

The Harley Davidson story is another example of creating a meaningful BRAND that creates an identity that the customer demographic relates to. Another example of this would be APPLE, today APPLE is regarded as one of the coolist Brands in the global market.

Now as far as investing in an e-bike dealership, I believe we have some examples already emerging, ie.. DAYMAK, BLUE AVENUE, MOBILITY UNLIMITED, etc.... We are only in the earley stages of the emergence of e-bikes so it will be interesting to see how it will evolve. I think we are just on the edge of an electronic revolution that is about to happen with automobiles, motorcycles, e-bikes etc.. From a business point of view in regards to e-bikes, one of my concerns would be the WALMART's of the world. Once a product becomes more mainstream and generally accepted then the BIG BOYS like WALMART will get in the game, and when it comes to price and volume it will be very difficult to compete. I do believe that electric motorcycles (ie.. the ZERO S) and other more specialty e-bikes will probably remain a product that is sold through dealerships (like Motoretta for example) where the customer can deal with people who know all about the products that they sell and can also provide customer service and quality maintenance.

From a business point of view in regards to e-bikes, one of my concerns would be the WALMART's of the world. Once a product becomes more mainstream and generally accepted then the BIG BOYS like WALMART will get in the game, and when it comes to price and volume it will be very difficult to compete.

I was an industrial sales rep for a while and the exact opposite can occur. Once a chain like Walmart or Canadian Tire start selling a manufacturer's product at low prices, the other dealers refuse to carry that brand any more because they can't make any money by matching the discounted prices. Sometimes these chains will buy in such large volumes at such low prices, that the retail price is actually lower than the wholesale price that the small dealers are paying.

A classic example of this is Gray Tools. Years ago they were selling at Canadian Tire at such low prices, that all of their industrial supply/dealers dropped them like a hot potato and they were in big financial trouble. It took many years for them to recover. Gray Tools have excellent products. It was the marketing that was the problem.

http://www.graytools....

There are greedy distributors who sell at wholesale prices to anyone who comes directly to the door. They promise a dealer a protected territory but will set up anyone else in the neighborhood as a dealer. They offer widely varying prices to different dealers supposedly based on volume purchasing. They do not back up warranties and guarantees, and they don't stock adequate parts for service and repair.

I doubt that you would ever see a company like Snap-on Tools have their products in Walmart or Canadian Tire at discount prices. It would destroy their dealer network and marketing.

http://www.snapon.com...

We are already seeing these problems in the e-bike and e-scooter industry.

http://www.ebikerider...

The good bike and e-bike dealers are so busy servicing their own customers and honoring any factory warranties that they are not interested in servicing a bike or e-bike that was purchased from Walmart or Canadian Tire and some just tell the people who bought these cheap goods to take them back to where they bought them for service.

Electric Tractor Help RequiredMonday, August 17, 2009 11:30 AM
From: "Trevor Parker" <iclectric@rogers.com>
To: evsofcanada@googlegroups.com

Hello all.
How is everyone?

As you all know, my partners and I have spent the past two years working to get this electric tractor business underway. We have worked tirelessly to get ready for launch. We have all suppliers lined up, a location picked in Sanborn, New York, an approved grant for $100,000 USD, an approved loan for $200,000 and offers of various other financial incentives once we launch. Our first years production will essentially be for US government agencies. Everything is ready to go.
We have sunk everything we have into this. I lost my house to the bank in march. We have invested about $150,000 at this point.
We are in a bit of a position at the moment. We are in need of some activation money. In order for the $300,000 to be activated, we need to do a few things. 1) register the US corporation (Green Collar Machines - being registered now), 2) complete our corporate year end statements, 3) finalize our shareholder agreements, and 4) pay deposits on our molds and our building.
In order to get this venture firmly underway, we need access to between $25,000 and $50,000. We are offering shares at $1000 per share. We do need to find this money immediately in order to get rolling.
We have been told that we are eligible for loans and grants in the US totally over $700,000. This money will only be applied for and activated after we do the above things.
Anyone who might be interested in investing, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Or if you know of anyone, please pass on this email.
We have a completed business plan and financial plan. We do need to secure these funds by the end of this week or there is a chance we may have to pull the plug.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
sincerely
Trevor Parker
iclectric@rogers.com
416-503-0428

Here are a couple of gals that are doing well with e-bikes.

http://www.manchester...

Here are a couple of gals that are doing well with e-bikes.

http://www.manchester...

Really great success story! I also like that the scooters they are selling are 1500 W (like my EVT 168) and all you require is a valid drivers license (very interesting).

Just a note to any aspiring e-bike dealers out there...

I wouldn't worry about the Wal-Marts etc. Ya can buy a crappy bike at Crappy Tire, but there are still plenty of LBS out there profiting from *service* and *accessories* etc...

So where would one open up shop? Downtown or suburban? The City offers some stats and demographics about (pedal) bike use from StatCan etc studies that may be of interest:
link to Toronto Cycling stats

Personally I love living downtown in the middle of the "bike culture", right at the apex of two major bike routes (and the rumble of two electric subway lines under my feet) and the traditional LBS and newer ebike-oriented retailers seem concentrated downtown also.

But if I had to make a choice about where to locate a new ebike store, I'd probably pick the `burbs.

Why? Because of the plans for the expansion of public transit. The boom in condo development along the new Sheppard line as an example. The theory (hope?) that the ebike market grows as an alternative to the car and an adjunct to transit, rather than as an alternative to the pedal bike.

Anywhooo... Just my two cents.
tks
loC

Local dealer puts the 'eZee' in biking

As an entrepreneur adept at tailoring transportation to fit one's preferences, Hemenway looked for something better and found the eZee Bike, which so impressed him that he purchased regional franchising rights, signing on as the nation's sixth retailer to sell the battery powered bike.

http://www.seacoaston...

Hi there
I have found a wonderful e-bike called EcoRyder
I'd like to upload a photo but not sure how to???
Help
edf

Just a quick note... the EcoRyders are marketed as "scooters"... so they are not power-assisted bikes but (at only 500W) extremely underpowered scooters that will require a licence and helmet and insurance... Not permitted in the bike lanes...

They also claim "...and adapt (sic) to Canadian weather conditions..." It would be interesting to hear exactly watt aspects of their vehicles have been designed with Canadian weather in mind.

Cheers
Lock

ps... here's a pic of their "Dragon ER500" model: