What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...

Snippet from a recent MCN Norton review - post Motorcycle live. They revealed that the next two bikes (due early next year) will be variants of a ‘Nomad’ Urban Scrambler.

No way of confirming accuracy - have’nt heard that anywhere else.
 
Yep, that's the way I'd fill in the form too!


What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
 
It is not the best time to start a "new" company .But if Norton can get new models in the hands of You Tubers that ride and like the products and have big followings it will help sales. Noraly on her You Tube site "Itchy Boots" is an example of a great choice.
 
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From his letter to the NOC
"There is a new logo, as part of the ongoing evolution of the company. However, we are proud of our heritage and plan to use the previous version alongside the new, to celebrate that heritage."
Richard Arnold
Executive Director, Norton Motorcycles
 
speirmoor said:
From his letter to the NOC
"There is a new logo, as part of the ongoing evolution of the company. However, we are proud of our heritage and plan to use the previous version alongside the new, to celebrate that heritage."
Richard Arnold
Executive Director, Norton Motorcycles
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Also from said letter:

“There is a new logo, as part of the ongoing evolution of the company. However, we are proud of our heritage and plan to use the previous version alongside the new, to celebrate that heritage.

That was part of our vision from day one and, with the help of Gerry McGovern, we feel we have created a Norton for the future respectful to the Norton of the past.”

Wasn’t he the guy who was responsible for the Jaguar debacle and was recently frogmarched off the premises?:eek:
 
Café au Lait said:
Also from said letter:

“There is a new logo, as part of the ongoing evolution of the company. However, we are proud of our heritage and plan to use the previous version alongside the new, to celebrate that heritage.

That was part of our vision from day one and, with the help of Gerry McGovern, we feel we have created a Norton for the future respectful to the Norton of the past.”

Wasn’t he the guy who was responsible for the Jaguar debacle and was recently frogmarched off the premises?:eek:
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You are absolutely correct!
Holy S*it!!!!#$!!!
How did this happen at Solihull?
Who thought this was a good idea?
Are pink, low-rider Nortons on the horizon???
 
Yep, and it looks awesome - hopefully it performs as well as it looks! If so I’ll have one!

What would you vintage boys have liked Norton Solihull to design/build?
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
20 years at Jaguar Land Rover where he was responsible for their most successful models.
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Then I have to think that he had a massive stroke, to produce that Jag.
Most designers want their last design to be their greatest creation.
WTH happened to him?
Was the design forced on him by woke higher ups?
I would like to hear the whole story.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Yep, and it looks awesome - hopefully it performs as well as it looks! If so I’ll have one!

What would you vintage boys have liked Norton Solihull to design/build?
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SS
I like the R, but I’m not in love with the tail light.
If Nortons only new bike was the Atlas, you’d still be drooling over it and wanting it.
Not so long ago, you were hoping they’d build a retro styled bike.

And let’s face it, any new Norton will out perform the 961, but these new Norton’s won’t compete with the V4 Ducatis, BMW’s and Japanese bikes. Not on a performance scale.
 
NorTriDuc said:
SS
I like the R, but I’m not in love with the tail light.
If Nortons only new bike was the Atlas, you’d still be drooling over it and wanting it.
Not so long ago, you were hoping they’d build a retro styled bike.

And let’s face it, any new Norton will out perform the 961, but these new Norton’s won’t compete with the V4 Ducatis, BMW’s and Japanese bikes. Not on a performance scale.
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Nope. Wouldn’t be remotely interested in purchasing the Atlas, but I recognise it for what it is - a more affordable bike aimed (mainly) at certain markets in an attempt to generate volume sales. Fish’n’chips to their foie gras.

I still hope (and think) that they will produce retro styled variants in the future - the (next) Commando would be a great start but not likely the candidate. All of the major competition does it very successfully so why ignore a strong market segment, when they have a better claim to genuine retro heritage than most.

They’ve been pretty clear that competing for performance on the track is not the intent; hence no wings, widgets or wotsits. But if you can blast down your favourite B road faster on it than you could on a track biased high revving hyperbike now that may be appealing to some. Let’s see if that’s the case when the test rides start.
 
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Stephen_Spencer said:
I still hope (and think) that they will produce retro styled variants in the future - the (next) Commando would be a great start but not likely the candidate.
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Yup, that's what I'm waiting for too.
I don't need or want sportbike ergos.
Hope I can still throw a leg over a bike by then.
If they do it, it better be as good, or gooder than the Triumphs, or don't bother trying.:p
 
peebee said:
And you really think a couple of hundred million pounds is a lot of money to these guys ......peanuts.!!



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Agreed PB - If you look at the figures included here. TVS is a publically listed company though, so have all of those associated obligations.

I remember mention of an initial 10 year Norton/TVS plan. Immediate, unqualified success is not gonna happen of course, but in the medium term Norton will need to show signs of growth (or clear potential for it) I think.

TVS is a volume company, as are all of the top Indian companies - it’s how they got so big of course. Don’t see Norton moving into ‘the black’ for a number of years yet though. The 10 year point? Who knows!

On the face of it though, the acquisition of Norton (and access to the UK via the UK/India free trade agreement) was a rolled gold bargain! And certainly great news for Norton enthusiasts - as long as we’re willing to look beyond 1974 that is.
 
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