INTERMOT 2014 Recap
Within the motorcycle industry, fall is one of the most important times of the years. Why? The huge international motorcycle shows begin, which are the perfect grounds for unveiling new models.
The first of the year is always a big one – the INTERMOT motorcycle show held in Cologne, Germany. The five-day 2014 show wrapped up Saturday, Oct. 5, and more than 200,000 people visited.
Katharina C. Hamma, Koelnmesse’s Chief Operating Officer, says “motorcycling is in vogue again! INTERMOT Cologne’s fantastic outcome shows that we are striking the right balance between product presentation and event program for both trade visitors and the public alike. The best example this year is in the customizing arena.”
INTERMOT 2014 featured about 960 exhibitors, including a host of manufacturers – BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha. Many unveiled new models, including Ducati with its Scrambler, Kawasaki with its H2R, and BMW with its R1200RS – to name a few.
This year included some new sights, including the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building This has been the mega event of the customizing scene for more than 10 years, and it was brought to INTERMOT for the first time in 2014. The custom bike building championship featured 70 customizers from 22 countries. In total, 81 AMD customs were featured at INTERMOT.
The weather was good, also, allowing the freestyle MX and stunt shows to go on, along with motorcycle-test areas for visitors. INTERMOT 2014 hosted over 25,000 test rides, a new record for the show.
The next INTERMOT takes place Oct. 5-9 2016.
Following are quotes from some major players at INTERMOT 2014:
Heiner Faust, President of the Motorcycle Industry Association Germany e.V., says “INTERMOT Cologne 2014 succeeded in setting new standards with surprising world premieres and the internationality of its visitors from 105 countries. The contacts and technical discussions were correspondingly valuable for the entire exhibiting industry. Public enthusiasm for the latest models and the thrilling shows in the outside area lifted the INTERMOT spirit.”
Henning Putzke, Head of BMW Motorrad Germany, says “BMW Motorrad is very satisfied with the interest visitors have shown on its stand over the past five days at this year’s INTERMOT. The new S 1000 RR (Superbike), R 1200 R (Roadster), R 1200 RS (Sport-tourer) models and the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT special edition scooter models were greeted with enthusiasm by the press, trade public and visitors. Many thanks to the organizers and all the helpers! We are already looking forward to INTERMOT 2016, brim full of innovation again, no doubt. That’s a promise!”
Walter Bauer, Managing Director Ducati Motor Germany, says “ For us at Ducati, INTERMOT – as the most important trade fair – is an extremely important platform for showcasing innovations as well as being able to pick up directly on customers’ interests. Not only were we able to celebrate the successful 3C Racing Team with its victorious IDM Superbike team but we also unveiled our unique scrambler family to the global public for the very first time.
“The phenomenal response both to our brand and our scrambler models enables us to look to the next season with great confidence and anticipation. At the same time we would like to thank all our partners and the Cologne trade fair for the good cooperation. Let’s scramble!”
Dr. Christian Arnezeder, Managing Director Harley-Davidson Germany, Austria and Switzerland, says “ Once again, INTERMOT has lived up to its reputation as the leading international motorcycle trade fair. Every two years it proves itself to be an ideal platform for gaining an overall view of the market and making industry contacts. But perhaps the most important plus factor for us is the direct connection with the end customer.
“On our stand in Hall 9 we were able to convince numerous trade fair visitors of our brand and our products. We conducted innumerable conversations with fans and customers, harvested not just praise aplenty but also constructive criticism and received valuable tips on the future course our company will be charting.”
Oliver Franz, PR-consultant Honda Germany Motorrad, says “Once again this year INTERMOT and its visitors proved to us that Cologne is Honda Germany Motorrad’s most important trade fair. This is where we meet our customers. And our models win over our customers. The dialogue, the discussion, bike conversations – a valuable overall package.
“We unveiled a real world premiere in Cologne with the new VFR800X Crossrunner. Germany is where the V4 tourer’s target group is to be found so this is where we decided to unveil it to the global public.”
Ingolf Zekalle, Head of Sales & Marketing Kawasaki Motors Europe N.V., Germany branch, says “Our showcasing of our brand new race version only Ninja H2R is obviously one of the highlights of the fair; following on at the end of this year is the unveiling of its road-legal sister H2. The public response here on site in Cologne, but the online reaction as well, was enormous.
“Kawasaki’s latest standard bearer has already delivered on expectations, if not exceeded them. Together with our emotionally attractive stand concept, and the restyled and technically revamped Versys models, we have set the right tone not just for the fair but for the coming sales year as well, which should also benefit the rest of the model range. The trade visitor day also went down very well, resulting in some revealing and informative discussions, from which additional future business contacts can be generated. The bottom line is that we are very satisfied with our INTERMOT presence here in Cologne and are taking this with us into the 2015 sales year as a fitting motivation.”
Norbert Zaha, Managing Director KTM-SPORTMOTORCYCLE GMBH, says “INTERMOT 2014 as the leading international trade fair in the motorcycle industry is the optimal platform for KTM to strengthen the KTM brand and set the course for future success. The concept with its press day and trade visitor day and public days works.
“Over the course of the fair we registered a healthy mix of trade journalists, qualified trade visitors and retailers as well as highly interested private customers. The positive feedback on our newly unveiled KTM 1290 Super Adventure and the all-electric propulsion KTM Freeride E-models but also the immense interest in our existing model range means that we can already look to the 2015 season with enthusiasm.”
Gerald Federl, Managing Director MSA Motor Sport Accessories GmbH, says “In many respects the 50th anniversary INTERMOT 2014 fair was a major event for us. We were represented with a total of six brands, more than ever before, and celebrated three significant, red letter birthdays. We are already looking forward to the new season and thank the IVM team and Koelnmesse for the outstanding organization!”
Ralph Zimmer, Head of Marketing Piaggio Group Germany, says “We are very satisfied with INTERMOT 2014, the international fair for motorized two-wheelers. The PIAGGIO Group unveiled two new models at this year’s INTERMOT: both the Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally and the Moto Guzzi V7 II were singularly well received by the trade fair public.
“Our PIAGGIO Group retail trade partners welcomed the benefits of the trade visitor day and on the whole provided very positive feedback. The consistently glorious, sunny late summer weather certainly contributed to the success of this year’s INTERMOT. This particularly benefited the outdoor area, which attracted large numbers of end customer visitors.”
Gerald Steinmann, Manager Marketing and PR, Motorcycle & ATV Suzuki International Europe, says “In our parent company’s eyes, INTERMOT remains the leading international trade fair. A very well attended press conference, a trade visitor day that worked well and full halls during the days that were open to the public also underlines this.
“Our 100 international decision makers from the Suzuki distributorships throughout Europe were also visibly at ease at INTERMOT. We showcased our entire range of new products in Germany, which went down very well. Our new products, first and foremost the highlights GSX-S1000 and GSX-S 1000F went down a treat with the public and the fresh stage programme constantly attracted visitor attention. In conclusion the feedback we can take out of this is without exception positive. We would like to thank all those who have once again succeeded in staging a successful INTERMOT and are looking forward to INTERMOT 2016.”
Lisa Herr, Marketing Manager Triumph Motorcycles Germany, says “Triumph Motorcycles was again the port of call for an interested and lifestyle oriented public. The large number of international visitors testifies to the growing interest in the motorcycle industry and a successful INTERMOT 2014.
“Our visitors value the wide array of different and characterful bikes. The whole thing is rounded off by a comprehensive accessories and clothing range. Our modern classic models are increasingly attracting enthusiastic supporters. Be it the cool Café Racer Thruxton Ace or the strictly limited Bonneville T214. Motorcycling in its original form and stylish clothing – those are the trends of the future. True to our motto “For the Ride”.
Karlheinz Vetter, Advertising Manager Yamaha Motor Germany, says “Yamaha Motor Germany is very satisfied with INTERMOT 2014. Even before the press conference on Tuesday we were overwhelmed by national and international media representatives on the stand. And our subsequent retail dealer session was a complete success as well. The concept with the inaugural trade visitor day on 1 October was a resounding success and was well accepted by industry, the retail trade and media representatives.”
