Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/592917
ATV/UTV With new 1000cc engine, TGB seeks American partner 30 • November 9, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Taiwan manufacturer looks to team up with distributor BY LIZ KEENER MANAGING EDITOR In Europe, Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB) is an off- road force to be reckoned with. The Taiwan- based manufacturer counted itself as the ATV market share leader in Germany as of 2013, and the same year it was second in share in France. Yet, in North America, TGB ATVs cannot be found for sale. TGB, a 50-year-old manufacturer, is hoping to change that soon. The OEM is look- ing for a partner to become the distributor of TGB ATVs and side-by-sides in North America. TGB staff recently visited the U.S. to learn more about the North American market, talk to OEMs about private label partnerships, exhibit at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) and attend the Ameri- can International Motorcycle Expo (AIM- Expo). However, during the trip, TGB's primary focus was finding new contacts for a North American distributor. WHO IS TGB? TGB might be one of the oldest most estab- lished Taiwanese OEM that many haven't heard of. TGB is a subsidiary of Taiwan Vespa Com- pany (TVC), which was established in 1965 as a licensee of Piaggio to produce Vespa scooters for Taiwan. TGB was the first Taiwanese com- pany to produce continuously variable trans- missions (CVTs), TGB president George Lin told Powersports Business during a September visit to Minneapolis. TGB has established itself as a manu- facturer of superior CVT technol- ogy, with many well-known North American and European OEMs using TGB CVTs for their powers- ports products. Using its expertise gained with Vespa, TGB soon began developing a scooter engine, and in 2005, the OEM started manu- facturing ATVs. In Europe its ATV lineup includes the Blade 550i SE IRS 4x4, Blade 550i LT IRS 4x4, Blade 550AR EFI EPS 4x4, the 4x4 Agrocarrier 500 and 6x6 Agrocarrier 500. While TGB's ATVs and side-by-sides haven't hit North America yet, Excalibur Motorsports of Chino, Calif., is TGB's North American scooter distributor. THE SEARCH FOR A DISTRIBUTOR When looking for a North American ATV and side-by-side distributor, TGB is seeking a partner with strong brand awareness, strong sales channels, an interest in entering the ATV and side-by-side markets, ambition to catch market opportunities and vision for the next potential trend. TGB wants its next distributor to possess See TGB, Page 32 Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB) is looking for a partner to distribute its ATVs and side-by- sides in North America. TGB recently developed a 1000cc engine designed for use in ATVs and side-by-sides.