What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...

I’m sure they’d be much happier if bikes were flyin’ out the door at full RRP, but I guess they must’ve done a cost-benefit analysis. It’s not offered on the anniversary bikes.

PCP was a short term offer that seems to have been extended because they have started selling in volume. Don’t think it’s a matter of just being done with them, or using up spares.

Likely benefits Norton/TVS get out of the PCP offer?

- Sale price of £13750 if owner keeps bike (a loss on RRP obviously).
- Bike back for resale if owner opts out (a likely loss of course) + any excess mileage charged
- Through-life income from service/spares.
- Income for dealers prior to release of new models.
- Likely increase in sale of merch’ and accesories.
- Build activity in the event of any delay - keeping the Norton workforce employed.
- More Nortons in circulation - rolling advertisement of a quality machine (these bikes get a lot of attention).
- Attracting younger buyers that can afford one through PCP, that couldn’t otherwise.
- Increased likelihood owners (new and old) will upgrade to another Norton.
- Any advertisement is good advertisement etc etc.

Think it signals the end of 961 though - but we knew that anyway right. Would they ever be able to sell one at full price on the conventional market again? Guess only time will tell whether it’s a worthwhile sales initiative or not.
 
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I ordered a black one today, simply because it’s such a good deal.

I haven’t used a PCP deal before but my understanding is that the finance company owns the vehicle, and it is returned to the finance company if it isn’t kept at the end of the two years. So I wonder who’s carrying the financial risk? Perhaps someone could shed more light on this. The finance is via CA Auto Finance who are part of a large financial organisation. They announced a partnership with Norton last year (Norton Motorcycles Financial Services) although that name wasn’t on the paperwork today.
 
City Garage said:
What!!!! You mean you mean you have seen the light?? 🤣 I thought you would go down as the last remaining cheerleader!!
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Always gonna be head cheerleader CG😁! But we’ve known for some time that Norton would ditch the 961 when new bikes were introduced - think they stated themselves that it had a limited future.

They sold many more than most thought they would before the PCP deal, but that obviously slowed as bike sales appear to have done across the board. The PCP deal is so good (for the buyer) they’re flyin’ outa the showroom; so good I don’t see many wanting to pay RRP (even with a discount) when the PCP deal ends.

No way I’m putting my pom poms away yet though!!👯‍♂️
 
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Fast Eddie said:
Let’s just say it will be ‘a buyers market’ !

Anyone looking to sell their 961 should try and do so AFTER the current crazy PCP deals have ended and BEFORE the flood of used PCP bikes hit the market…
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In two years time the 961 will be out of production, at most approx 1000 to 1500 will have made by TVS. The Donnington era bikes are still selling for surprising prices given their well known problems. No reason to expect the much improved TVS bikes will suffer a big drop in value. Of three new owners who I know, all three intend to keep the bike after the two years is up, I doubt there will be 500 bikes coming onto the market in two years.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
In two years time the 961 will be out of production, at most approx 1000 to 1500 will have made by TVS. The Donnington era bikes are still selling for surprising prices given their well known problems. No reason to expect the much improved TVS bikes will suffer a big drop in value. Of three new owners who I know, all three intend to keep the bike after the two years is up, I doubt there will be 500 bikes coming onto the market in two years.
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You’re right, of course, in that the absolute numbers of 961s will still be low in relative terms (ie compared to mass producers).

But so will demand. So in terms of supply and demand, the numbers entering the market now at discounted rates is pretty much bound to have an impact on future residuals.

The current PCP deal is still bloody amazing tho! It’s a cheap way of enjoying a new Norton for two years for some. And it’s still a great deal for those who wish to purchase a keeper, they’ve still gained from a £3500 discount and 2 years of interest free credit !
 
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Fast Eddie said:
You’re right, of course, in that the absolute numbers of 961s will still be low in relative terms (ie compared to mass producers).

But so will demand. So in terms of supply and demand, the numbers entering the market now at discounted rates is pretty much bound to have an impact on future residuals.

The current PCP deal is still bloody amazing tho! It’s a cheap way of enjoying a new Norton for two years for some. And it’s still a great deal for those who wish to purchase a keeper, they’ve still gained from a £3500 discount and 2 years of interest free credit !
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This type of deal is happening with a lot of the auto mfg. Dodge is discounting trucks 10-20% plus the dealers are kicking in money as well.
 
If say 500 bikes are put into the second hand market in two years time, and say there are 1000 potential owners looking for a Norton, I suspect that half of those buyers would be considering a new Norton model alongside considering a 2 year old 961, at the moment there would be 1000 buyers looking for a 961. The only reason the 961 is holding it price is that it has no stable mates from Norton as competition within the range. That range of 1 will expand and it will affect second hand prices.
 
Don’t see 500 being returned, or anywhere near.

Not going to be able to hand back and buy a new 961 - they will (likely) not be available.

Handing back to buy a cheaper used 961 may be an option, but who wants the worry of how someone else has run the bike in and used it, to save a few quid. Very few I suspect.

Many who bought through PSP likely did so cos’ it made the bike more accessible, but also because they had lusted after one. Two years down the track these owners are not going to have authentic water cooled parallel twin like this to choose from. Certainly not from Norton.

My guess is some will return, paying any extra mileage and a penalty for (literally) any damage. Many will likely recognise that they’re riding the last bike of its type that Norton will ever produce - and they got it at a bargain price.
 
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Stephen_Spencer said:
Don’t see 500 being returned, or anywhere near.

Not going to be able to hand back and buy a new 961 - they will (likely) not be available.

Handing back to buy a cheaper used 961 may be an option, but who wants the worry of how someone else has run the bike in and used it, to save a few quid. Very few I suspect.

Many who bought through PSP likely did so cos’ it made the bike more accessible, but also because they had lusted after one. Two years down the track these owners are not going to have authentic water cooled parallel twin like this to choose from. Certainly not from Norton.

My guess is some will return, paying any extra mileage and a penalty for (literally) any damage. Many will likely recognise that they’re riding the last bike of its type that Norton will ever produce - and they got it at a bargain price.
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I know two that are purchasing and are certainly going to hand them back. Unsurprisingly the two I know are keeping the 961's that they bought previously.
 
PCP has ended apparently.

What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
 
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