Factory fast tracks production
After giving the go-ahead for a major investment at its Le Mans plant back in 2017, Claas recently showcased its €40 million spend.
Instead, the motorcycle and vehicle manufacturer says it will focus on developing its market for side-by-sides/UTVs in Australia, after failing to convince the federal authorities to overturn its decision to force manufacturers to fit OPDs on new or used units from October 11th.
Honda is one of several manufacturers that disagree with the mandatory requirement to fit protection devices.
Director of Honda Australia Motorcycle and Power Equipment, Peter Singleton, says "safety standards must be evidence-based, in both criteria and testing methods, to internationally accepted standards.
"Honda has provided research to show the negative outcomes of the government's proposal but unfortunately it was rejected".
While Honda is said to be disappointed with the outcome of the negotiations, it has confirmed that it will continue to support its current quad bike (ATV) users through the transition.
Honda has always been and continues to be a strong advocate for rider safety, supporting all of the known and proven safety measures recommended by experts and coronial inquests, including the mandating of safety helmet use for all ATV and side-by-side riders, rider training and the prohibition of riders under the age of 16 from riding adult size vehicles.
"This will continue to be a strong focus for Honda right across our operations from rider training to marketing, dealer networks and after-sales support," said Singleton.
In 2019, the federal governmnet agreed on a suite of safety standards for quad bikes as recommended by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), who investigated ATV-related deaths on farms in the past 20 years. ACCC chairman Rod Sims has made it clear in recent weeks the commission is determined to push ahead with the compulsory fitting of rollover protection devices on quads.
