Norton Saga Continues

Apparently they have built a brand new manufacturing facility in Solihull, moving from Leicester, so would imagine that the plan is to build and/or assemble there.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/ne...motorcycle-company-norton-relocating-19733100

 

It looks very positive for Norton, if they can build quality bikes sales should be strong

 

I wonder how much redesign there will be, ‘cos they were one of the nicest looking bikes of the last 10 years…

The Commando isn’t listed in the range of bikes on the Norton page… just the v4 and the atlas

 

Have to agree they look lovely but I sat on one at the NEC show and it just didn't feel right, now the old 70s 750 Commando that was a nice bike.
I wonder if all of the issues Norton have had in the near past will stop buyers from buying their bikes now.

 

I'll be visiting the factory in a couple of weeks - I'll see if I can spot a Commando or two.

 

Look forward to your report. As an aside how did you get tickets for the factory?

 

As part of the rebirth under TVS, they are having an open day for employees to bring along family members, so it's not a public visit as such.

My son has been frustratingly tight lipped about what he's working on and how it's going, but his huge enthusiasm and delight to be working there and his high hopes for the future are all I really need to know.

You won't be surprised to know that I'm looking forward to the visit and also possibly see them go public with more at the bike show in December.

I do worry though that they have a lot to do to overcome the legacy of the Stuart Garner era.

 

My gut feeling is that I won't be allowed to :-(

 

Thank you for the response. I’m not jealous at all

 

Norton is such an iconic brand, I really hope they get it right this time.

Even if they do, I think it will take a few years to regain the trust of the biking community.

 

It is not just about making good bikes, they need a really solid dealer network in my mind. If they don’t get that right it will fail

 

From a straightforward commercial/business perspective it's a different company, but from a punter's perspective it's the same name above the door, and they can't be both Norton with all the Norton heritage and also not that Norton at all when it suits them.

In terms of their market positioning though, I think they are going to have to try and remain as an exclusive premium product and try and sell on that basis rather than trying to be mass market. One of the things "old Norton" did towards the end was to sell (or licence - not sure) the design of the 650 motor and possibly the 1200 to Zongshen in China, so there will likely be a number of bikes on the market with a near-identical powerplant at a fraction of the cost.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-59236108.amp

Made the local news today.

 

I registered my interest in the Atlas. Their communication is spot on. Cant fault it. They sent me an email stating that the Atlas will not now be available until possibly end of 2023 going into 24.