http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/zero-motorcycles-sees-huge-sales-increase-announces-national-de/
Zero Motorcycles has come a long way since the company first showed up on our radar back in 2007...In fact, it just announced a 240 percent increase in year-on-year first quarter sales. It's not been by accident.
Yes, it's hired some top executives from around the industry and taken advantage of good press opportunities. The company's also done a pretty decent job at reaching out to consumers. At last year's FIM/TTXGP race at Laguna Seca, for instance, it had a nice booth with a fleet of bikes on hand and gave hundreds of test rides to prospective customers. It was pretty impressive.
Mostly though, it's latest sales success comes down to product. Its line up has expanded from the initial Zero X dirt bike to a whole family of machines whose quality and specifications have improved with each successive generation. Not surprisingly, Zero believes the component that's been most improved is also responsible for its recent achievements. The latest ZF9 battery pack allows its S and DS models to claim a 114- and 112-mile range, respectively, (in the city) and that has translated into lots of cha-ching.
Press Release:
Zero Motorcycles Announces 240% Growth In First Quarter 2012 Results
-- Highest Sales Impact from Longest Range 2012 Zero S/DS ZF9 Models --
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in electric motorcycle manufacturing, today announced record growth for the first quarter of 2012 with year-over-year sales up 178% in number of motorcycles built and shipped. Overall revenue growth for Zero Motorcycles year-over-year is up by a staggering 240% in Q1. Zero Motorcycles attributes the successes to many factors including streamlined manufacturing efficiencies, an expanding dealer network, tremendous media coverage and positive reviews but without question at the heart of Zero's success are the world's longest range, mass produced 2012 Zero S and DS ZF9 models. At 114 and 112 miles range respectively, both models received significant aesthetic and performance upgrades in 2012 and coupled with early availability, consumers are actually able to buy and ride them as well as all other Zero Motorcycles models today.
"We are now in full production and accelerated growth mode. Yet we are still a small company and therefore we understand that significant increases are relatively easier for us than for larger OEMs. However, on any scale, it's an impressive performance, arguably making Zero Motorcycles the fastest growing and largest premium brand electric motorcycle manufacturer in the world," stated Karl Wharton, Chief Operating Officer, Zero Motorcycles.
In the past 12 months Zero has appointed more than 50 new Zero authorized dealers in North America alone. Many of these dealers are multi-line dealers and are recognized in the industry as some of the most professional and forward thinking top 100 motorsports dealers in the industry. Zero's product line is now increasingly available in key metropolitan, urban and suburban population centers, driving additional sales growth. Zero has engaged in a similar development strategy in Europe and is adding new outlets monthly across both Europe and North America. The export growth on products 100 percent designed, developed and assembled in the U.S.A., runs counter to the usual trend of moving manufacturing jobs to far Eastern and second tier European operations.
"This comes down to the ongoing investment in product development, both in terms of design and performance. We are driven to be the market leader in innovation and technology. We listen to what our customers and prospective customers are telling us drive their interest to join the silent revolution," added Scot Harden, Vice President of Marketing, Zero Motorcycles. "These are motorcycles that protect the environment, are socially responsible in areas of noise restriction and support domestic energy sources and our need for independence from foreign oil. They reflect Zero Motorcycles' desire to deliver fun, world-class, highly advanced expressions of motorcycle engineering design and art. The total cost of ownership, environmental and gasoline price issues help rationalize the buying decision, but make no mistake, our underlying goal is to deliver an expression of the enjoyment of motorcycling in its purest form."
To widen its appeal, Zero is sponsoring a National Demo Day with its United States dealers on May 19, 2012. "Ride a Zero – Join the Silent Revolution" will enable riders to experience the pure joy of riding the only mass –produced 100-percent electric motorcycles currently in widespread circulation. Zero Motorcycles has a unique offering that appeal to both longtime enthusiasts and those new or returning to riding. Zero Motorcycles is proud of its cutting-edge technology but it understands technology is only a means to achieving performance and the "silence, smoothness and magical feeling" Zero Motorcycles riders experience, as one recent reviewer described it. As an example, if properly engineered electric powertrains do not require the clutch and gears necessary to make traditional gasoline motorcycle perform properly, why include them? In a recent consumer survey, fewer than four percent of respondents mentioned the presence of clutch and gears as a determining factor in their decision of buying an electric motorcycle. Zero Motorcycles strives for purity of enjoyment and a greater "magical feeling". Noise, vibrations, smells and unnecessary components only stand in the way.
Zero Motorcycles offers the widest premium electric motorcycle product line in the world, spanning five models, across three segments. Zero Motorcycles recently passed the milestone of 1500 motorcycles delivered worldwide. Zero has been building fun, cutting-edge motorcycles for over five years – invaluable experience keeping Zero at the forefront of the electric motorcycle revolution.
About Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles is committed to transforming the motorcycling experience by bringing to market highly innovative electric motorcycles that offer exceptional value and performance. Zero is powered by innovation, driven by passion, guided by integrity, and measured by results. Through extensive research, insight and experience, Zero combines the art and science of motorcycle development to create and manufacture products that excite consumers and inspire brand loyalty. Zero is determined to be the preeminent global electric motorcycle company.
Follow Zero Motorcycles on Twitter @ZeroMC, become a fan of Zero Motorcycles on Facebook and check out what Zero is doing on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/zeromotorcycles.
For more information on Zero Motorcycles or to learn more about its complete motorcycle line including the Zero S, Zero DS, Zero XU, Zero MX and Zero X motorcycles, visit: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com.
In other words, instead of 60 minutes on 9kWh batt @ 75mph becomes 120 minutes on 18kWh @ 75mph that's the same weight/cost of the 9kWh batt is now? 
" package with an incredible battery management system that I couldn't ever build on my own for the amount I paid for the Zero. Truly the first bike I think even DIY'ers should get versus building their own.
