Latest news with #Wass
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Shocker: Electric Motorcycle Maker Stark Future Is In The Black
While based on its dirt bike sibling, the Stark Future Varg EX has the required lights and other ... More details for street-legal operation. From the beginning, the electric motorcycle market has been brutal. While most models that I've sampled have been fast, technologically advanced, and incredibly fun to ride (trust me on that one), nearly all of the companies that make them have found it almost impossible to turn a profit. Many have sadly closed up shop: Energica, Sonders, Brammo, Fuell, Cake, Alta, Arc, and others are now historical footnotes in motorcycle history. Others continue burning cash in the pursuit of profitability but are finding the market unreceptive. Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle spin-off, LiveWire, sold just 33 (yes, thirty-three) electric motorcycles last quarter— more than a 70% drop from Q1 2024, which was also not a good quarter for the brand. Harley-Davidson says LiveWire lost $20 million in the first quarter of 2025. The red ink also persists at Zero Motors, perhaps the most recognizable electric motorcycle maker. Zero is still running on investor dollars despite being in business for well over a decade, although it does sell a fair number of machines each year. Zero is privately held and typically does not disclose exact sales or financial figures. A small number of electric motorcycle makers have achieved success and profitability, including BYD and NIU, both from China. Both companies also manufacture electric scooters, which are gaining popularity in Asia, particularly when combined with battery swapping technology. Stark Future, based in Barcelona, which makes only electric motorcycles, has just reported its first profitable quarter. Stark Future's co-founder and CEO, Anton Wass, confirmed to me via video call that the company recently achieved its first profitable quarter, reporting €2.8 million ($2.98 million) in profit on €18.3 million ($20 million) in sales. Dirt motorcycle riders will recognize the form factor instantly, but the riding experience is quite ... More a bit different - and much more quiet. 'We have been steadily approaching this profitability event, driven by the popularity of the off-road Varg MX, but the phenomenal reception of the newly available Stark Varg EX, the company's groundbreaking street-legal Enduro model, has brought this landmark occasion,' Wass said in a press release. 'This achievement comes barely two years after Stark Future's first commercial sales, remarkably faster than incumbent EV leaders, and more resembling the growth rates of some of the world's most successful technology firms in history.' Wass did not specify how many units the company sold of its Varg EX and MX machines, which retail for between $9,999 and $12,990 depending on options and configurations, but sales are clearly robust. Both models share a common platform and architecture, with the EX model serving as the street-legal and dual-sport option and the MX as the dedicated off-road-only machine. Along with the bottom line now ringing in as cash positive, Wass said that more models are forthcoming from the five-year-old company that now employs 350 people, including 100 in R&D alone at a modern, stylish headquarters (below) in the Spanish capital city. Also, the company's positive numbers do not include any carbon credits or other shadowy financial shenanigans. How did Wass and company turn the corner with Stark Future? "Through deep technical vertical integration and focus on sourcing, we managed to develop game-changing technology at competitive costs, all while still manufacturing in Europe. This result validates our disciplined approach and marks an important step toward consistent profitability,' the founder said in a press release. Stark's large headquarters in Barcelona is home to hundreds of workers and the company's research ... More and development team. Wass told me that Stark's choice to produce what are essentially 450cc-class electric dirt-bike style motorcycles instead of machines rivaling full-size motorcycles seems to have hit a sweet spot with customers looking for both effective urban transportation on the Varg EX, and robust dirt performance with the MX. Wass also told me a third model based on the current architecture is set to debut relatively soon, but details are under wraps at this time. Vass said the lighter weight Varg machines have resonated with riders since they provide much greater acceleration than traditional motorcycles due to the instantly available 764 pound-feet of torque and 80 horsepower from the electric motor. Combined with a comparatively light weight of 264 pounds (which doesn't change since it uses no gas), the Varg EX, which is essentially a Varg MX with street-legal bits, is a quick and agile machine on the road - or trail. 'We will continue to innovate at the component level and in the greater model range so electric motorcycles in all categories can outperform traditional machines in every way,' Paul Soucy, Stark Future CTO, said in the press release. Most riders likely won't push the Varg MX to this extreme, but Stark Future says the bikes are ... More torture tested by test riders. Despite their success, the way forward for Stark Future isn't exactly clear. There is growing competition in the middleweight or 'city plus' electric motorcycle space, which is becoming more popular with riders and bike makers as larger, heavier, more expensive electric models continue to struggle. Startups like Land and its District models, established brands including Zero and its new lightweight X-series bikes, and upcoming models from new electric moto players, including Royal Enfield with their stylish Flying Flea machine and Can-Am with their new electrics will make for a crowded dance floor. Wass also said they believe other legacy motorcycle makers, especially in Japan, are also working on electric dirt-focused motorcycles at this time due to Stark's success. Because adding street-legal equipment to an electric motorcycle is fairly simple, 'dirt-bike' models can also be easily converted to street-legal models. Another wild card is tariffs, which currently stand at a manageable 10% in Europe, according to Wass. Higher tariffs could complicate efforts to break into the U.S. market if the situation changes, Wass said. However, he also believes that the company can manage increased tariffs since Stark's sales volume in the U.S. is very small at this time, with EU-based sales (and low tariffs) constituting the majority of Stark's revenue. Wass mentioned that while the European market continues to see strong sales, he would like Stark Future to better penetrate the North American market in the future, but Wass said the larger goal is to 'change the perception of what an electric street motorcycle is.' So far, it sounds like Stark Future is making headway on that goal. Look for my full ride review of the Stark Future Varg EX in the coming months. Let's hear your feedback! Subscribing to allows you to leave comments and supports contributors like myself. Subscribe and follow me for new article notifications. You can also follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn. All of my content is human-generated.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stark Future Achieves Record Profitability for All-Electric Motorcycle Manufacturer
Stark Future Sets New Sales and Operations Records of €18.3M Revenue and €2.8M Positive EBITDA in Breakthrough Month of April 2025. BARCELONA, Spain, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stark Future, the global leader in high-performance electric motorcycles, has achieved a historic milestone by recording its highest-ever monthly revenue of €18.3 million while delivering a positive EBITDA of €2.8 million. This noteworthy result from Stark Future, the fastest-growing company in Spain, signifies an even greater moment for the viability and sustainability of the EV market. "This achievement comes barely two years after Stark Future's first commercial sales, remarkably faster than incumbent EV leaders, and more resembling the growth rates of some of the world's most successful technology firms in history," said Anton Wass, CEO of Stark Future. "We have been steadily approaching this profitability event, driven by the popularity of the off-road VARG MX, but the phenomenal reception of the newly available Stark VARG EX, the company's groundbreaking street-legal Enduro model, has brought this landmark occasion." In a period where the broader EV industry is facing headwinds, Stark Future's accomplishment represents positive news to markets and consumers alike. Comparatively, Tesla needed nearly 17 years to achieve sustained profitability, all while earning billions of dollars annually selling regulatory credits to other automakers. By contrast, Stark Future's operations are funded through motorcycle sales alone. Chinese manufacturer NIO has a similar product-driven revenue to Stark Future, yet it only reached positive EBITDA after eight years. "Through deep technical vertical integration and focus on sourcing, we managed to develop game-changing technology at competitive costs, all while still manufacturing in Europe," Wass continued. "This result validates our disciplined approach and marks an important step toward consistent profitability." Stark Future's primary ambition is to design, develop, and manufacture cutting-edge electric motorcycles to push boundaries of performance and set new standards for sustainability in the industry. This focus on sustainability, in both operational efficiency and materials, is widely credited for the firm's success. Looking to the future, Stark Future is focused on repeating the success it has found in the motocross and enduro segments, in much larger motorcycle categories. "We will continue to innovate at the component level and in the greater model range so electric motorcycles in all categories can outperform traditional machines in every way," added Paul Soucy, Stark Future CTO. Stark Future is well-positioned to continue scaling its impact and redefining the future of motorcycling. With a burgeoning global network of dealers at over 400 retail locations, expansions into over 50 countries, and recent developments for security and military applications, Stark Future's precipitous growth will continue to climb even higher. About Stark Future: Stark Future is on a mission to revolutionize the motorcycle industry by leading the shift toward sustainability and drastically reducing CO₂ and plastic pollution. Through cutting-edge design and unmatched performance, the brand aims to deliver timeless, beautiful electric motorcycles that surpass traditional technology in terms of performance and experience. Guided by a philosophy of innovation, quality, and user-focused simplicity, Stark Future combines bold ambition with a relentless pursuit of excellence. The brand's iconic gold logo symbolizes its full-circle approach to sustainability and its uncompromising drive to be number one. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Stark Future
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
From screen time to green time – the key to a happier childhood, according to 86% of Scots
New research has highlighted a striking generational divide when it comes to playing outdoors – with 86% of Scottish adults saying the amount of time spent playing outdoors made their childhood better. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Over half (55%) of Scottish parents say their children don't play outside more than they did growing up, with 72% also admitting their children only get outside 1-2 times a week, or less, outside of school hours. The research, commissioned by Feather Down, further highlighted that of the UK-wide respondents, 77% of Gen X – those born between the mid-60s and early-80s – agreed with the sentiment and felt the benefits of a childhood spent in the great outdoors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For many in the older generations, being a child meant long afternoons outside, playing kirby and conkers, and rushing to finish dinner to get back outside before it got dark. Kids outside on the farm The reality for today's children is shaping up to look a little different, as more digital entertainment and structured activities replace the unstructured play found in streets up and down the country. Beyond the well-known risks of excessive screen time, a lack of outdoor play may have serious health implications. The survey found that only 1 in 4 parents across the UK are aware of the effects of limited outdoor time on the immune system – and more than 10% of all respondents admitted they were not aware of any impacts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Following the research, leading child psychologist, Professor Sam Wass, has weighed in – warning of the risks associated with a lack of outdoor time. Glamping in nature Professor Wass commented: 'Naturally, parents are desperate to do the right thing for their children and structured play forms a part of that – whether it's a sport or an after-school club. However, research suggests that it's much more beneficial for children if their time is not so structured. 'Child-led, unstructured free play is vital in stimulating imagination and creativity, as well as helping children to become more self-sufficient. We also can't ignore the benefits of outdoor play in ensuring children receive proper amounts of vitamin D, or the 'sunshine vitamin'.' Now that the clocks have gone forward, signalling longer and brighter days, Feather Down Farms is urging families to take the opportunity to step outside and reset, taking a much-needed break from our devices. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vicki Baggott at Feather Down Farms, added: 'As a parent myself, I understand how easy it is to fall into these digital habits and how screens can provide a quick-fix when you're busy and feel overwhelmed. Kids are playing outside less than their parents did 'Our research further showed that even the weather can leave us feeling demotivated to get outside – which, as we know in the UK, isn't always the brightest! But with the clocks going forward and the brighter days ahead of us, it's important to consider the health benefits behind setting down the screens and stepping out. 'Use it as a chance to reset your habits and don't overthink it. Whether it's making a den out of sticks or rolling down hills on a walk, the methodology doesn't really matter to your children – simply being outside does.' To further support families looking to reduce their screen time, Feather Down has introduced the Digital Dial, adedicated hub offering expert advice and a screen-time calculator to help families assess their digital habits. Through the tool, users can discover practical tips and family-focused activities to rest, reconnect, and encourage more time offline for their little ones.
The Independent
27-02-2025
- The Independent
Jury urged to clear Charles Hanson after claim his wife lied to ‘build' her case
A jury has been urged to acquit TV auctioneer Charles Hanson after hearing defence claims that his wife had used the criminal courts as an extension of her 'vindictive' divorce battle. A three-week trial at Derby Crown Court has heard allegations that Hanson put his wife Rebecca in a headlock while she was pregnant with a baby she later lost, repeatedly 'grabbed' her, locked her in a hotel room, pushed her, and scratched her as she tried to snatch a mobile phone. The Crown claims WhatsApp messages sent by Hanson to his wife amount to a 'set of confessions' to the charges. In his closing speech to jurors on Wednesday, Crown counsel Stephen Kemp said the messages, including one in which Hanson promised to never again 'lay a finger' on his wife, provide a clear picture of the couple's relationship. Hanson – who has appeared on TV shows including Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip – denies charges of controlling or coercive behaviour between 2015 and 2023, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating. He told the court he was 'almost a slave' to his wife, who left him 'a beaten and broken man' by controlling him. His lawyer Sasha Wass KC claimed Mrs Hanson 'was not controlled in any sense of the word' and was instead unstable and unhappy and 'felt resentful and hard done by' at her husband's work commitments before their marriage 'imploded' in 2023. Ms Wass, addressing jurors on Thursday, asked them to consider whether the incident involving an alleged headlock – which Hanson claims was simply a hug – was 'a real incident' which Mrs Hanson had distorted to 'build up a false case' against her husband. The defence KC said of the incident, which took place in 2012 and is not part of the charges: 'Putting it shortly, if she is capable of lying about that, she is capable of lying about anything.' Another alleged example of controlling behaviour – a threat to throw embers from a fire – was 'rubbish', while another in which Mrs Hanson had tried to grab her husband's phone was a 'family row' which 'really should not find itself in the criminal courts at all', Ms Wass said. By the middle of May 2023, she added, Mrs Hanson was 'desperate to leave and get Charles out of the house', while he was trying to save his marriage. Ms Wass alleged that Mrs Hanson, who married the defendant in 2010, had been 'vindictive' towards him and had 'capitalised' on the details of visits to Relate to make distorted allegations of 13 incidents of violence or controlling behaviour. The lawyer told the seven women and five men on the jury: 'The entirety of the case rests on the testimony of Rebecca Hanson. There is nothing else. You have to be sure that she is reliable, accurate and truthful. 'The reality, I suggest, is that Rebecca Hanson is none of those things and she has used this court, a criminal court, as an extension of her divorce battle. 'She has not hesitated to lie. 'There is no way that Rebecca Hanson was coercively controlled. 'This is a criminal court with criminal standards (of proof) and I suggest that Rebecca Hanson has dismally failed to satisfy the standard that is required that Charles has committed any criminal offences whatsoever, and invite you to acquit him of all the charges.' Mr Kemp has alleged that the account given to the court by 46-year-old Hanson, of Ashbourne Road in Mackworth, Derby, 'stretched credulity beyond any reasonable limit'. Judge Martin Hurst is summing up the evidence to the jurors and has told them they will not be under any time pressure to reach verdicts.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Jury urged to clear Charles Hanson after claim his wife lied to ‘build' her case
A jury has been urged to acquit TV auctioneer Charles Hanson after hearing defence claims that his wife had used the criminal courts as an extension of her 'vindictive' divorce battle. A three-week trial at Derby Crown Court has heard allegations that Hanson put his wife Rebecca in a headlock while she was pregnant with a baby she later lost, repeatedly 'grabbed' her, locked her in a hotel room, pushed her, and scratched her as she tried to snatch a mobile phone. The Crown claims WhatsApp messages sent by Hanson to his wife amount to a 'set of confessions' to the charges. In his closing speech to jurors on Wednesday, Crown counsel Stephen Kemp said the messages, including one in which Hanson promised to never again 'lay a finger' on his wife, provide a clear picture of the couple's relationship. Hanson – who has appeared on TV shows including Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip – denies charges of controlling or coercive behaviour between 2015 and 2023, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating. He told the court he was 'almost a slave' to his wife, who left him 'a beaten and broken man' by controlling him. His lawyer Sasha Wass KC claimed Mrs Hanson 'was not controlled in any sense of the word' and was instead unstable and unhappy and 'felt resentful and hard done by' at her husband's work commitments before their marriage 'imploded' in 2023. Ms Wass, addressing jurors on Thursday, asked them to consider whether the incident involving an alleged headlock – which Hanson claims was simply a hug – was 'a real incident' which Mrs Hanson had distorted to 'build up a false case' against her husband. The defence KC said of the incident, which took place in 2012 and is not part of the charges: 'Putting it shortly, if she is capable of lying about that, she is capable of lying about anything.' Another alleged example of controlling behaviour – a threat to throw embers from a fire – was 'rubbish', while another in which Mrs Hanson had tried to grab her husband's phone was a 'family row' which 'really should not find itself in the criminal courts at all', Ms Wass said. By the middle of May 2023, she added, Mrs Hanson was 'desperate to leave and get Charles out of the house', while he was trying to save his marriage. Ms Wass alleged that Mrs Hanson, who married the defendant in 2010, had been 'vindictive' towards him and had 'capitalised' on the details of visits to Relate to make distorted allegations of 13 incidents of violence or controlling behaviour. The lawyer told the seven women and five men on the jury: 'The entirety of the case rests on the testimony of Rebecca Hanson. There is nothing else. You have to be sure that she is reliable, accurate and truthful. 'The reality, I suggest, is that Rebecca Hanson is none of those things and she has used this court, a criminal court, as an extension of her divorce battle. 'She has not hesitated to lie. 'There is no way that Rebecca Hanson was coercively controlled. 'This is a criminal court with criminal standards (of proof) and I suggest that Rebecca Hanson has dismally failed to satisfy the standard that is required that Charles has committed any criminal offences whatsoever, and invite you to acquit him of all the charges.' Mr Kemp has alleged that the account given to the court by 46-year-old Hanson, of Ashbourne Road in Mackworth, Derby, 'stretched credulity beyond any reasonable limit'. Judge Martin Hurst is summing up the evidence to the jurors and has told them they will not be under any time pressure to reach verdicts.
