Who owns norton motorcycles

Norton then folded for the second time in January after Garner was accused of using company money for personal use, including a fleet of supercars, late — or no — delivery of sold motorcycles and even being caught up in a finance scheme that put the pensions of investors at risk. This article was written by a real thinking writer. I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer. Facebook Google. Founded in Birmingham, Norton began making motorbikes in and soon became associated with races such as the Isle of Man TT.

Among its most famous models are the Dominator and the Commando, while its Norton Interpol was used by UK police in the s. Vintage models are now considered collectors' items. It moved its operation to Donington Park in Leicestershire in Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews bbc. In the letter Hentschel said that since discovering 35 individual faults with the V4SS bikes built by the previous company, NMUL, they have been searching for the best way forward for the bikes, despite having no legal responsibility to do so.

Initially they said they believed the best option for owners was for Norton to repair these bikes however Hentschel say this "changed as more material defects were identified" and that owners best route forward now is a claim against NMUL, which is in liquidation.

Norton say they simply cannot reliably source all of the parts needed to repair the existing bikes to a safe standard. He also reiterated their previous statement that bikes should not be ridden on the road to the number and severity of potential defects.

So what does this mean for new V4s? Hentschel says that any new bikes built will be completely reengineered and will not be continuations of the NMUL bike. They have not yet set a start date for production but are hoping to begin by the end of Ltd the new firm formed after the acquisition of specific Norton assets by Indian giant TVS Motor Company had offered owners of first-generation V4SS models built by the previous Norton business a discount on a new, heavily revised model.

Further to this announcement from the firm, Norton Motorcycle Co. The person responsible for releasing the inaccurate information has now left the business. Although MCN acted in good faith by reporting the content of the official statement released to us, we wish to apologise for the inevitable confusion that has since arisen as a result of Norton Motorcycle Co.

Ltd changing their stance. Despite repeated requests for an official statement relating to the next stage in unpicking this convoluted situation, none has yet been forthcoming. As soon as there is more information, we will report on it immediately. Interim CEO John Russell wrote to all those affected on Thursday, June 3, to say that the firm were currently working through all of the identified problems with bikes, in order to help owners recoup the cost of repairs from the liquidator BDO.

When TVS purchased the rights to the Norton name last April, they set up a new company, meaning no legal obligation to existing customers, with any outstanding warranty work remaining the responsibility of the old company — which is currently going through liquidation. However, as the severity of the faults was exposed, the new firm have been working to assist the receivers and owners in finding a resolution.

Seven of the identified issues could result in the V4 engine seizing, with three more causing potential fires and others a loss of control. Russell continues in his letter to owners: "We have been supporting BDO by detailing each of the defects and the repair required. Russell continued: "The bike will be fully re-engineered, tried, tested and worthy of carrying the Norton name. By the end of June we hope to be in a position to present an offer to all V4SS owners to buy one of the new bikes at a special price.

At the time MCN went to print on the evening of Monday, June 7, details of the offer remained unclear. V4SS owner Shaun Taylor voiced concerns though, saying: "I highly suspect that a pre-condition will be for owners with bikes to hand back those machines to achieve the discount.

A new V4 will then be built for customers at no additional cost. A spokesperson said: "Norton proposes that it offers customers a straight swap. Norton will then build a new V4 motorcycle for customers at no additional cost.

This stance differs from the one taken on Monday, when Norton claimed the offer was a discount on a new machine and a goodwill gesture for owners. They insisted there was no requirement to hand over an existing bike.

NMCL are working hard to fix defects with the V4SS after a raft of complaints from owners of bikes built by the previous owners. Only now, after months of assessment, has it come to light just how many issues there are with the bikes made by the previous owners, Norton Motorcycles UK Ltd NMUL , with as many as 35 faults found on the existing machines.

When TVS bought the rights to the Norton name and their bikes, they set up a new company rather than buying the existing one, which means they have no legal obligation to customers of NMUL. Despite this, from the start NMCL have always maintained they will do what they can to support buyers. As part of this process, they looked at and tested the existing V4S.

This prompted the liquidators of NMUL to send forms to existing owners in anticipation of claims they may wish to make against NMUL for their bikes to be fixed. As a result of that process, we have discovered 35 potential defects in total that fall into one of three categories, either a safety recall, a check and replace if required, or a service action.

We are advised by the Liquidators that affected owners may be able to make a claim for the costs of repairs to NMUL Realisations Ltd in Liquidation as part of the Liquidation and have worked with the Liquidators to ensure that those owners have been told how such claims should be made.

There are also design studios, an engineering office and a service facility. These will be homologated via Single Vehicle Approval. Norton say any future V4s will then go through the full homologation Euro5 process. The company are also still developing the Atlas models and see them as a key target. A licensed out version of its twin cylinder engine has already been seen in the Zongshen Cyclone RX6.

The management team at Norton are still considering race plans. Although they have made no secret of their desire to compete in road races such as the TT and they are working out whether to progress the supercharged cc engine concept announced by the old Donington-based company. Russell said: "Plans are proceeding at a pace and we have made remarkable progress on factory construction in light of the restrictions that we have complied with to make sure everyone is kept safe during the ongoing Covid pandemic.

We see fulfilling those orders as one of the first key steps in our journey to rebuild customer trust. Over 50 high quality, new jobs have already been created and more are expected to follow as the business activity grows providing a welcome boost to the local economy.

The premises will be the central hub for all of Norton operations, providing a permanent base for all staff. The new headquarters will be home to design, engineering, purchasing, sales, marketing, and support teams as well as the skilled production team that is resuming the manufacture of motorcycles. Some of the specialist tooling and equipment previously used by Norton has been carried over from the Donington premises to the new site in Solihull. Norton will resume production of the Commando Classic model at the Solihull site, building a limited quantity to honour customers that had ordered and paid for a deposit on these bikes.

Production of the V4SS will commence soon and the full opening of the facility is expected by the end of March. The opening of this state-of-the-art facility will create the foundations for a sustainable long-term future of Norton.

The new bikes will meet the world class standards our customers expect. This new facility underpinned by strong quality processes will produce bikes truly worthy of the illustrious Norton brand and take it into the future. We are setting out to create a future for the company, our employees, our customers and our partners that lives up to the highest expectations and enable Norton to once again become the real force its history deserves.

It speaks volumes to the strides the West Midlands has taken forward in recent years that Norton has chosen to come home after more than a decade based outside the region. TVS Motor Company acquired Norton in April after the company went into administration in January after supply and production issues.

New Norton motorcycles are about to roll off the production line after nearly 12 months of inactivity. And those bikes will be built at a new facility in Solihull after the firm relocated from Hastings House at Donington Hall.

Russell adds: "We want to change from a cottage industry to a credible motorcycle manufacturer. We have set up an interim factory in Solihull and are laying down the production lines now.

Even though it is temporary probably for the next years it will still probably be the best facility Norton have ever had. It is getting real now. It is a year-old building suited to manufacturing.

Production is about to start. Once the Commando orders have been fulfilled the outstanding V4 machines will be built. And then attention will turn to the Atlas. We want Norton to be quintessentially British. Self assured, sturdy, an Aston Martin rather than a Ferrari. We want to make great products that just so happen to be British and they will be manufactured in Britain. The goodwill still exists and TVS has been warmly welcomed. TVS, a good choice. Established supply lines in the motor industry, familiar with tooling for motorcycles as a manufacturer already, access to designers and a qualified work force.

I am confident that the Norton brand has found a good home, although I wonder how much longer petrol engined motorcycles will be allowed. TVS has the name but the Chinese concerns have two powertrains. In making Norton motorcycles, TVS will essentially be outsourcing every component from suppliers beyond India: engines from China, electrics from Europe, forks and suspension components hopefully from Andover Norton—all brought together in a TVS India assembly plant. Those motorcycles have to be brought to market soon because too much time has elapsed fighting over the Norton corpse in the UK.

Other manufacturers will be rolling out new models to entice buyers after this Covid pandemic subsides. I hope TVS can succeed. Your email address will not be published.