Looking at the market shares mentioned by Ernst Brust you could question how much room is left for newcomers. – Photo Bike Europe

Velotech's analysis of the e-drive market reveals lack of critical...

SCHWEINFURT, Germany - No other product in the industry is so sorely missing validated market data than e-bike drive systems. The market dominance of Bosch is obvious, but what about the other suppliers and how many other brands are relevant anyway?

Shimano attributes the slow market recovery this year partly to unfavorable weather conditions in Europe during spring. – Photo Shimano

Shimano Q3 report shows delay in recovery of component market

OSAKA, Japan - Market recovery hasn't come as rapidly as Shimano had still foreseen in its first half year results published in July. The Q3 results the company published today still reveal challenging market conditions which the Japanese component manufacturer partly attributes to unfavorable weather conditions in Europe during spring, as well as the inventory bubble.

Shimano’s AI-equipped Q’Auto system uses a sensor in a wheel hub, the shifting mechanism, and an 11-speed gear ratio. – Photo Bike Europe

Shimano AI-integrated drive train Q'Auto on bikes next year

OSAKA, Japan - To hit back on e-bike drive system suppliers who overshadow Shimano's leading market position, the component manufacturer will start mass production of its AI-integrated drive train system Q'Auto. Launched as a concept at Eurobike 2023, the first bikes featuring this system will be on the market soon. CEO Yozo Shimano explains the business decision to take this step forward.

Shimano notes that additions to its gravel-specific range GRX have been particularly popular in the first half of 2024. – Photo Shimano

Positives to be found as Shimano H1 net sales drop 21%

OSAKA, Japan - High inventories in key markets continue to have a knock-on effect for Shimano, the company has reported today in its first half year figures. As a result, net sales in the company's bicycle segment decreased 20.7% in the first 6 months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. However sales in the key market of Europe reveal a turnaround.

Dennis Weijers (left) is welcomed to the Classified team by CEO Mathias Plovier (right). - Photo Classified

Shimano's Dennis Weijers joins Classified as CCO

ANTWERP, Belgium - Drivetrain brand, Classified has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Dennis Weijers as chief commercial officer (CCO). Weijers joins Classified from Shimano Europe, where he served as director of marketing.

In 2022, Shimano decided to join forces with logistic’s provider Kühne+Nagel. – Photo Shutterstock

Shimano supply problems ongoing since transfer to Kühne+Nagel

TESSENDERLO, Belgium - The delivery problems at Shimano Benelux have arisen since warehousing and distribution was outsourced to logistics service provider Kühne+Nagel in 2023. Although Shimano did not give any reasons for the delivery problem, sources indicate that the 'mismatch' between both IT systems is the main cause of the problems.