Fonte Motocross Action Magazine di aprile 2017:
COULD NEXT YEAR’S KTM COST $20,000? THE U.S. GOVERNMENT THINKS SO
The motorcycle industry went through this back in 1984 when Harley-Davidson got relief from Japanese competition via a 49.4-percent tariff imposed on Japanese street bikes over 750cc, which the Japanese overcame by selling 700cc street bikes. Now, because of a long-standing trade dispute over European Union regulations against American beef, the Office of United States Trade Representative wants to impose a 100-percent tariff on European motorcycles from 51cc to 500cc. The AMA and European motorcycle manufacturers will have to launch an aggressive defense. To be clear, it isn’t just European motorcycles that will be hit By the tariff, but motorcycle companies who will be affected by the tariff include all machines made in European Union countries, including KTM, Husqvarna, Aprilia, Beta, Gas Gas, SWM, Sherco and TM. Forget about the hardship on potential KTM or Husqvarna motocross, enduro, offroad and dual-purpose riders; think about the economic impact on American dealerships and their employees. If this regulation passes, the motorcycle industry will suffer.
Ipotizzando che moltissimi crossisti americani non affronteranno.un così elevato aumento per le europee si rivolgeranno in massa alle jap. Potrebbero esserci problemi di reperibilità di moto jappo qui da noi come conseguenza negativa ma magari anche una riduzione di prezzo se i loro volumi di vendita consentiranno di guadagnare vendendo più moto a un prezzo migliore.
O magari anche le europee cercheranno di essere più appetibili nel nostro mercato con prezzi concorrenziali per recuperare le vendite che inevitabilmente perderanno laggiù...
In tutti i casi la vedo brutta...