The switch to electric driving can’t be stopped anymore and customers are looking for clear information. It is the first time that such radical changes have taken place in the mobility sector. The motorcycle market is always a bit behind (compared to the car market), but E-center provides an overtaking maneuver. There are many start-ups with innovative ideas and affordable solutions. Gert-Jan Rongen (Electric Motorbikes in the Netherlands) brings these young electric motorcycle brands to the Benelux in cooperation with Guy Salens (THE PACK “Electric Motorcycles News”).
Guy Salens: “We have to be realistic: the digital transformation is in full swing in the most diverse sectors. 2020 has pushed us into a new digital age where the online experience will permanently belong to the “new normal”. This has accelerated the need for mobile communication between customers and brands. This new website from E-center is our solution with which we can develop a strong online position in the Benelux in collaboration with Electric Motorbikes.
Gert-Jan Rongen: “With Electric Motorbikes we have been working at the electric two-wheeler mobility for several years now. It is a young market with great possibilities for new e-brands and a number of new players are eager to get started. We wish to introduce these brands in the Benelux.”
Sales and information channel on- & offline
“In the first place, this new website provides a clear overview of the motorcycle brands we present,” continues Guy – coordinator E-center. “I can understand that you cannot just make a purchase online of, for example, EUR 15,000. But potential customers can contact us and book a personal appointment in the showroom at Electric Motorbikes (in Helmond on the Automotive Campus). A test drive is of course possible: “Once you go electric …”. This personal approach really works and is appreciated by our customers. At the moment we are still working on various strategic contact points in the Benelux.
New brands
Gert-Jan Rongen is an official Zero Motorcycles dealer and imports the new brands Alrendo Motorcycles, RGNT Motorcycles and Pursang Motorcycles in the Benelux. He is also a representative of Sur-Ron offroad motorcycles, Etalian and NIU scooters in collaboration with the NIU Flagship store from Antwerp. Gert-Jan: “Together with Guy, we regularly check which brands could be of interest to the Benelux.”
Gert-Jan: “In addition to my activities with Electric Motorbikes, I am also a consultant for GoodMoovs, which is an important player in the market when it comes to offering shared electric vehicles through the GoodMoovsapp (the sharing platform). Due to the change in mobility needs and the heavy traffic, it is interesting to integrate electric motorcycles and scooters in this mobility package. In addition to the supply of new motorcycles, a second-hand market of electric motorcycles is gradually starting to emerge. An aspect that will also be discussed later in the E-center. as well as the rental of electric motorcycles.
Automotive Campus
Gert-Jan: “There is also a great demand from various technical courses to be involved in this new electrical evolution. Our role is to connect EV companies with the educational institutions to share knowledge and train new technicians for a new era. Our E-center can be the bridge between manufacturers and educational institutions. It is therefore no coincidence that the E-center / Electric Motorbikes showroom is located on the Automotive Campus in Helmond (the Netherlands). The Automotive Campus is located in the Brainport Region – and is the national and international hotspot, meeting point and location in the field of automotive (technology) and smart mobility.
Guy Salens becomes coordinator E-Center
THE PACK “Electric Motorcycles News” has grown in 4 years to become a worldwide online platform for enthusiasts of electric motorcycles and scooters. Guy Salens: “With THE PACK I still have a good online platform for new startups and their brand awareness increased through our social media channels. But I always will be an external advisor. Things went too slow sometimes. As the new coordinator of the E-center, I am now in the middle of this new and fascinating electric motorcycle world and I can now take the initiative towards the end consumer. It feels almost I have moved to the next level. With THE PACK I will continue to publish objective information, this remains an important community.
