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Operational Review to 31 March 2015

30th Apr 2015 07:00

RNS Number : 7816L
Vmoto Limited
30 April 2015
 

 

Vmoto continues to grow over first quarter of 2015

 

ANNOUNCEMENT 30 April 2015

 

 

Vmoto Limited (ASX/AIM:VMT), the global scooter manufacturing and distribution group specialising in "green" electric powered two-wheel vehicles, is pleased to provide the following update on its activities for the quarter ended 31 March 2015 (1Q15).

 

1Q15 HIGHLIGHTS

· Over 19,400 scooters sold

· Higher margin international sales continued to grow, accounting for >20% of total sales

· Discussions commenced with PowerEagle to extend relationship and enter into new agreement for ongoing manufacture of their two-wheel electric vehicle models post 2015

· Progressing significant new market entry opportunities, including North America, Turkey, Ecuador, and United Kingdom

Commenting on Vmoto's continued growth over the first quarter of 2015, Managing Director, Charles Chen said: "Despite the first quarter of the year always being our slowest due to the Chinese New Year festival taking place in February, we are pleased to report strong unit sales across our various channels."

"What is particularly exciting, and bodes well for our future growth over the remainder of 2015 and beyond, is that a number of significant old and new customers visited the factory seeking to enter into new orders or agreements for our electric two-wheel vehicle products. We look forward to progressing these and other strategic opportunities over the coming months."

 

QUARTERLY SALES PERFORMANCE

 

Unit sales for 1Q15 was 19,462 units, up 37% from 1Q14 (14,257 units), comprising:

 

OEM

10,444

Vmoto retail stores

2,385

Chinese distributors

2,566

International

4,067

Total

19,462

 

 

Although the first quarter is traditionally the quietest sales season due to winter months and Chinese New Year, trading was encouraging and in line with management expectations. Particularly encouraging was the percentage of international sales, many of which are repeat orders, where the Company makes significantly higher gross margins compared to OEM sales in China.

 

In China, the Company has a sales network of over 40 outlets through a combination of its own retail stores and third party distributors. This is set to increase over the remainder of the year. In addition, as part of an overall integration of the Company's sales process in China, Vmoto is looking to establish an internet based retail sales network and system that is expected to open up a new sales stream for its products.

 

Internationally the Company continues its strong relationships with its B2B and B2C customers, with many placing orders that will be satisfied in future quarters. In addition to existing customers in South America, Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East, Vmoto has had visits from new delegate customers or distributors from North America, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the United Kingdom. A number of these potential customers are making repeat visits to the factory in the coming months with the intention of formalising initial orders for their respective countries.

 

POWEREAGLE

 

With the current three year OEM agreement with PowerEagle expiring at the end of 2015, Vmoto has begun preliminary discussions to enter into a new agreement with PowerEagle from 2016. Given the successful delivery by Vmoto of PowerEagle's requirements to date, the Directors of Vmoto believe that the relationship between the two companies is strong. The next step in discussions will involve senior teams from both companies planning future models, specifications, unit numbers and pricing that reflects the growing electric two-wheel vehicle market place in China. A final agreement is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

 

3 / 4 WHEEL JOINT VENTURE

 

As announced previously the 3/4 wheel JV that Vmoto is involved with is now formally established and operational. Sales from the first vehicles produced at the factory are expected to start from May 2015.

 

OUTLOOK

 

The months ahead will continue to be busy for Vmoto with orders to be fulfilled across various domestic and international sales channels. More international distributors and customers are due to visit the factory with discussions on scooter unit orders to be finalised.

 

The Company expects to see production increase over the Northern Hemisphere summer months and looks forward to reporting any material developments on its own scooters sales and other opportunities being pursed in the EV space.

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Vmoto

Charles Chen, Managing Director

Olly Cairns, Non-Executive Director

+61 8 9226 3865

+61 8 9226 3865

 

Investors and media

Market Eye Pty Ltd

Ronn Bechler

 

 

+61 400 009 774

[email protected]

 

finnCap Ltd

Christopher Raggett/Simon Hicks (corporate finance)

Tony Quirke/Mia Gardner (corporate broking)

 

+44 20 7220 0500

Mirabaud

Peter Krens (equity capital markets) +44 20 7878 3362

Ed Haig-Thomas (equity capital markets) +44 20 7878 3447

 

About Vmoto

Vmoto Limited (ASX/AIM: VMT) is a global scooter manufacturing and distribution group. The Company specialises in high quality "green" electric powered two wheel vehicles and manufactures a range of western designed electric scooters from its low cost manufacturing facilities in Nanjing, China. Vmoto combines low cost Chinese manufacturing capabilities with European design. The group operates through two primary brands: Vmoto (aimed at the value market in Asia) and E-Max (targeting the Western markets, with a premium end product). As well as operating under its own brands, the Company also sells to a number of customers on an original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") basis.

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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