Ducati is going electric. The 93-year-old Italian motorcycle maker is displaying its new lineup of electric bikes at the New York International Motorcycle Show this month.
"We're looking at the electric bicycle as something to complement the lifestyle of existing Ducati owners," Ducati CEO of North America Jason Chinnock told Cheddar. "But we also do have a Scrambler one that's more urban oriented, so that would allow somebody that maybe's just a fan of the brand to come in and they can buy the bicycle as well."
Ducati’s e-bikes have been selling overseas since last year, but 2020 will marks its first time selling the products stateside. The E-Scrambler model will start at around $4,000 and other models will go up to about $7,000.
2020 is setting up to be a big year for the electric vehicle industry, as mainstream automakers develop new versions of iconic brands — but without the combustible engines. Ford unveiled its electric crossover, the Mach-E, and is developing dozens of other EV's. Tesla is convinced people will buy an electric pickup truck with its affordable Cybertruck. And motorcycle brands like Ducati and Harley-Davidson are working to get in on the action.
Ducati, which is owned by Lamborghini, is building several e-bike models of all kinds to cut into the growing market and appeal to a variety of interests. The E-Scrambler is for trekking, while the MIG-S and MIG-RR are for mountain biking.
While acknowledging the younger generation hasn’t been buying motorcycles at the same rate as previous generations, Chinnock says its new, sleek e-bike models may help make inroads with younger consumers, or those who have been hesitant to try motorized bikes. "It's better to have something that doesn't necessarily look like you need to be a professional to ride," he said.
According to Allied Market Research, the global electric biking industry topped $16 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $23 billion in 2025.
Not only is Ducati offering new e-bike offerings, but it has also re-thought payment options. Chinnock is confident the monthly lease plan, which first rolled out last year, will attract more of those interested in a bike or motorcycle. "The idea is that you can have a Ducati for basically $99 per month for 2 or 3 years, and then turn it in to get something else. That makes it very appealing for someone who doesn't want to make a commitment."
The Rev. Al Sharpton is set to lead a protest march on Wall Street to urge corporate America to resist the Trump administration’s campaign to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The New York civil rights leader will join clergy, labor and community leaders Thursday in a demonstration through Manhattan’s Financial District that’s timed with the anniversary of the Civil Rights-era March on Washington in 1963. Sharpton called DEI the “civil rights fight of our generation." He and other Black leaders have called for boycotting American retailers that scaled backed policies and programs aimed at bolstering diversity and reducing discrimination in their ranks.
President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Chipmaker Nvidia is poised to release a quarterly report that could provide a better sense of whether the stock market has been riding an overhyped artificial intelligence bubble or is being propelled by a technological boom that’s still gathering momentum.
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
