By Andrew Green, Staff ReporterVON'S JAPANESE Imports has started a joint-venture agreement with the Loncin Group of China to produce motorcycles.
The joint-venture started assembling Loncin motorcycles in February, Von's manager, John Von Strolley told Wednesday Business. He said they would begin actual manufacturing early next year, which would be the first time in Jamaica's history. "With the opening of the car market, people who used to ride a bike were able to drive a car," Mr. Von Strolley said. "We are opening the bike market so that people who used to ride a bicycle can now ride a bike."
The lowest cost Loncin, the LX100Q, costs $35,000, including General Consumption Tax. Mr. Von Strolley said a decent bicycle costs about $10,000.
Started in 1995, Von's was originally involved in importing reconditioned Japanese cars. When that market became saturated, Mr. Von Strolley said he and his wife, who jointly own the company, looked for a new market to conquer.
Motorcycles represent a new niche in the transportation market, he said. He has been able to help expand this niche by driving down prices.
Jamaica's motorcycle market has undergone a revolution from the early days when it was dominated by British brands to the era of Japanese dominance. The most widely recognised brands are still Japanese ones such as Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki.
The demand is slowly changing now as less costly brands from India, China, Taiwan and Korea increase their market presence. "The demand is there," at the entry level of the market, he said.
The joint-venture is assembling the LX100Q, LX110-3 and LX125-2. Mr. Von Strolley said they are starting the assembly of a scooter as well as an all terrain bike.
So far they have been assembling the motorcycles and putting in the pre-assembled engines. By next year the company will be putting together the entire machines and start making their own frames. "We have access to the CARICOM market," Mr. Von Strolley said. "Early next year we will make a shipment to Haiti. Grenada, Suriname and Trinidad are next."
