CCM has announced a strategy to boost sales in the UK and to begin exporting its Spitfire 600cc motorcycle.
Currently CCM’s Spitfire models are available to order in the UK only, leaving fans from abroad with no choice but to visit the UK to purchase, register and ship bikes abroad.
CCM MD Austin Clews, son of founder Alan Clews, said: “The reason the bikes are not for sale outside of the UK is unfortunately down to the E4 homologation which is drastically different from regulations in the UK, meaning the bikes would need to be redesigned and developed specially for the European market. That is exactly what CCM motorcycles plan to do in the very near future.
“The Spitfire series has received a strong, solid reception in the UK, and overwhelming support from bikers from around the world has prompted the decision to export CCM Spitfires into other international markets.”
The manufacturer has set its sights on four key markets within Europe – France, Italy, Spain and Germany. “They will soon be the first to have access to these hand-crafted, limited-edition motorcycles,” said Clews. “We are also looking at working with distributors in Australia, China and other markets.
“As you would imagine, with the costs associated with exporting, and uncertainty of a future post-Brexit, there are likely to be many challenges along the way,” Clews continued, revealing that the company would be opening satellite offices and recruiting staff in those key markets in which it planned to sell.
“As these motorcycles will be supplied to these countries in very limited numbers – CCM will even take forward orders secured by deposits – it is likely that all the Spitfires heading to these countries will be sold out long before they get there in early 2020” Clews concluded.
In the UK, Bolton-based CCM now sells it bikes directly to customers and says it has taken more than 1200 Spitfire orders, most of which have been delivered.
More in the October issue of BDN.