𝐈𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟔 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐀𝐍-𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘
2023 Norton Commando 961 CR (left) and SP
961cc
77bhp at 7250rpm (previously 80bhp)
Over 36% of the parts are claimed to be new
2 year warranty
In 2006 I was in discussions with Norton Motorsports, Inc.'s VP of administration, trying to negotiate to purchase Norton on behalf of a Malaysian motor group.
Norton had already spoken to Hong Leong but HL had indicated they didn't want to work with them.
At the time, the intellectual property lock, stock and barrel along with all assets of the company where the trademark portfolio and bike designs were probably the most valuable were on sale for US$3 million.
A roadmap to become a viable and PROFITABLE motorcycle company would have cost US$28~30 million. Of course depending on existing resources and adjustments to overall strategy and product roadmap, it could have been done for less.
Unfortunately the Malaysian company or rather the leadership at the time were ultimately not interested.
How interesting things would have been if Norton ended up being Malaysian-owned.
Ultimately fireworks man Stuart Garner ended up owning it, buying Donington Castle and being convicted for fraud, etc.
You can read about the Stuart Garner nonsense online. It's an epic tale.
TVS Motor Co. (Thirukkurungudi Vengaram Sundram Iyengar) now owns Norton, having purchased everything in 2020 in an all cash deal. Their revenues per annum are about US$3 BILLION, annual operating income US$130M.
Verbatim from one owner online:
"I will be interested to see the build quality changes up close. I had a ‘14 Garner cafe looked great, had bespoke paintwork and other stuff. But had loads of issues with machine casing and bearing tolerances, oil leaks and metal quality. Took it to the IOM rained on way, heads and casings were permanently pitted, pissed out oil, the race team took it back in their van, saw it 6 months later which I guess was better than others who never saw them again. Simon Skinner design assisted that 961 engine and the V4 and in my opinion, both not great, hopefully there are huge improvements in build and quality. Norton's history has always been a tad peculiar. ‘Made in Britain hand built’ still keeps me awake at night. How Garner got a suspended sentence is beyond belief."
MCN review here: https://lnkd.in/grzxwpP4
Logotherapist / MSc Student @NSPC, Middlesex University / Head of Brand Licensing @Level Up Brands, Al Faisaliah Group, Saudi Arabia. (Sharing Learnings. All Views Expressed Here are in My Personal Capacity)
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