Ultra Motor File for Bankruptcy

[flecc]

Details of this UK event plus hopes for the return of such as the A2B bike on the link below:

Bike Europe on Ultra Motor future
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[eddieo]

Times are very tough indeed......

 

[flecc]

Yup, I've been forecasting a loss of some firms for a long time now, the limited market over-supplied even without the effects of the tough economy.

I wasn't expecting Ultra Motor to be first, but there will be more and this winter will be a severe test of many.

 

[shemozzle999]

Coincidence or what, I wonder if Will Butler Adams of Brompton Bikes would be interested in buying the Company.
See Jerry Simon's thread on the Brompton

 

[flecc]

With the manufacturing side of Ultra continuing, so meeting his need, I doubt Will could be too interested in this marketing operation.

I hope someone takes it over though, for A2B bikes need the original batteries as replacements more than most, due to their mountings.

 

[indalo]

Like Flecc, I'm not surprised that an ebike company has collapsed but hadn't imagined that UM would be the first.

Our UK market seems to have become saturated by ebikes from all sorts of sellers over the last year or so which I have found somewhat strange given the economic circumstances. They can't all be shifting stock in volumes large enough to pay staff and keep premises open so from now, through christmas and the early year winter months, I shan't be surprised to see one or two others fall by the wayside.

It's great having such a wide and varied choice in the market but there are risks buying from companies with little track record of customer service/support and so on. Like any market, I suppose the strong will survive and the weak will fail. I always imagined that UM were a solid proposition but their machines held no interest for me. Perhaps that's the case for a lot of potential ebikers?

Mark Loveridge presented well when he offered his thoughts in this forum and I'd like to think he'll survive and remain in the industry. It's sad to see such a unique product go though.....unless someone steps in!

Indalo

 

[shemozzle999]

I feel sorry for the 51 Dealers as well, it already hard enough to trade in the present climate.
Will might be interest in the high end customer list though.

 

[jerrysimon]

Yes aren't they doing all the development for the new electrically assisted Brompton ?

Oh dear

Regards

Jerry

 

[jerrysimon]

Ah maybe this won't have an impact on Bromptons plans

"The company has sold its subsidiary Ultra Motor Taiwan to a group of European private equity investors."

Sad for the rest of the business though.

Regards

Jerry

 

[Kudoscycles]

I rode an UltraMotor bike at the NEC,it really felt more like a motor bike than an electrically assisted bicycle. It's power was impressive,always intrigued how they achieved that power from 250 watts? at the show they seemed to use more batteries than any other e-bike supplier and they were mighty batteries-I helped one of their guys to unload the batteries,they were very heavy.
Perhaps that was one of the problems, they had to compete with other e-bike suppliers but also at their price level compete with mopeds and scooters, squeezed between those markets there just was not enough business to support a business the size of Ultramotor.
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[Haku]

That's not good.

I wonder how/if Urban Mover will be affected by this because they struck up a deal with Ultra Motor 26 months ago to distribute their bikes/parts.

 

[Oxygen Bicycles]

It's a big surprise to me, I wouldn't expect such a company to go bust. I just feel sorry for customers who bought the A2B machines and the lack of support they won't be able to get now. The batterries can always be re-celled by a good workshop but the electric drives Ultra Motor used are quite specific and I trust can not be replaced with off the shelf spares.

Andrew

 

[Scatty]

Was not surprised it was a ugly looking bike, Always wondered who would buy one now i know no-one did. Just park it next to the sinclair c-5 & let them collect dust.

 

[Mussels]

Was not surprised it was a ugly looking bike, Always wondered who would buy one now i know no-one did. Just park it next to the sinclair c-5 & let them collect dust.

The gadget show always raved about them, not surprising as the ex comedian bald chap owns one.

 

[Mark Loveridge]

That's not good.

I wonder how/if Urban Mover will be affected by this because they struck up a deal with Ultra Motor 26 months ago to distribute their bikes/parts.

Hi Haku,

Ultra Motor ceased distribution of Urban Mover over 6 months ago. I believe they still have operations outside of the UK.

Thanks
Mark

 

[Mark Loveridge]

It's a big surprise to me, I wouldn't expect such a company to go bust. I just feel sorry for customers who bought the A2B machines and the lack of support they won't be able to get now. The batterries can always be re-celled by a good workshop but the electric drives Ultra Motor used are quite specific and I trust can not be replaced with off the shelf spares.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,
I don't think there is reason to worry. As you point out, the technology side has been sold- this includes the motor manufacturing plant and manufacturer of controllers and other parts.
Thanks
Mark