Suzuki is providing 10 million yen (US$100,500) in aid to the Red Cross Society to provide support for those affected by the April 20 earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. Suzuki‘s pledge is in addition to 1 million RMB (US$161,000) donated by Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., a Suzuki joint venture with China’s Changan Group.

The region in southwestern China was hit by a major tremor at about 8 o’clock in the morning, local time. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.6, with aftershocks registering magnitudes up to 5.1. As of this writing, the earthquake resulted in the death of 186 people. Another 11,000 people were injured and nearly two dozen in rural communities remain unaccounted for. Continue Reading »

It’s been a little over two years since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and its ensuing tsunamis devastated the eastern coast of Japan, and the country is still struggling to rebuild from the tragedy that claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless families.

Some areas such as Hamamatsu, an industrial city home to several companies including Suzuki, were not as badly affected as places on the east coast, but they are making efforts to develop anti-tsunami measures to prevent or lessen the damage from future disasters.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Hamamatsu raising 5 billion yen (US$50.2 million) from member companies including 500 million yen (US$5 million) from Suzuki. The money will go to the development of a new seawall to protect Hamamatsu from tsunamis. Continue Reading »

As we count down the days until 2013, it’s time for a look back at the year that was in motorcycles. Here now, is our top ten motorcycle news stories of 2012. Check back for three separate lists, our top off-beat motorcycle news stories of the year, ten news stories to look forward to next year, and the hottest bikes for 2013.

Ducati Chief Executive Officer Gabriele Del Torchio has released an open letter addressing the recent earthquakes in Italy, and how they have affected the company.

The Emilia region in northern Italy was hit by a 6.0-magnitude earthquake on May 20 and has continued to suffer from aftershocks including a second earthquake on May 29 that briefly halted production at Ducati‘s Bologna factory.

In the letter, del Torchio writes about those who have lost their homes in the disasters and expresses thanks for fundraising efforts to help those in need. Del Torchio also says there may be a slowdown in production as local suppliers work to resume regular production of parts.

Read the full letter after the jump: Continue Reading »

Ducati has halted production in its factory in Bologna, Italy after the region was struck by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake this morning.

The earthquake comes nine days after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in the same area in northern Italy, killing seven people. Though the recent earthquake was lower in magnitude, it has already claimed a higher death toll with at least 15 people already confirmed dead.

Ducati announced its it will close its factory for the day over Twitter, saying: “Ducati today is closed due to the earthquake. People are ok, we are verifing the factory.” The company later tweeted: “We feel very close to all the families and people that live near here for this difficult moment.” Continue Reading »

Ducati‘s factory in Bologna, Italy, was undamaged in last weekend’s 6.0-magnitude earthquake but production may still be affected by a shortage of parts.

The May 20 earthquake struck the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, about 22 miles north of Bologna. The earthquake claimed seven lives and left thousands homeless. The region continues to be afflicted by aftershocks.

Ducati‘s Borgo Panigale factory was not directly affected by the earthquake but the same cannot be said of some of Ducati’s local parts suppliers. Ducati Chief Executive Officer Gabriele Del Torchio tells Italy’s Corriere di Bologna Ducati is in contact with its suppliers and monitoring the situation. Continue Reading »

The 2004 Harley-Davidson FXSTB Softail Night Train that floated 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from tsunami-wracked Japan will be enshrined at the Harley-Davidson Museum at the request of its owner.

Ikuo Yokoyama lost relatives and his home during the disaster, as well as a box truck containing the Night Train. The storage container was recovered on an island in British Columbia, Canada, by beachcomber Peter Mark, more a year after the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami, with the motorcycle damaged but mostly intact.

Harley-Davidson had originally offered to restore the lost motorcycle and return it to Yokoyama but the 29-year-old asked instead for the Softail to be preserved in the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to the 15,000 lives lost in the disaster.

“Since the motorcycle was recovered, I have discussed with many people about what to do with it. I would be delighted if it could be preserved in its current condition and exhibited to the many visitors to the Harley Davidson Museum as a memorial to a tragedy that claimed thousands of lives,” says Yokoyama who still lives in temporary housing. Continue Reading »

Honda Motor Co. announced its forecasts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.

Left out of Honda’s previous fiscal report because of the uncertainty created by the March 11 earthquake, the 2011-2012 forecast predicts a 63% decrease in net income compared to the 2010-2011 results.

Honda forecasts a net income of 195.0 billion yen (US$2.4 billion) for the year ending March 31, 2012, compared to a net income of 534.0 billion yen (US$6.6 billion). Honda attributes the decline to an expected 6.0% drop in automobile sales as well as the cost of restoration and removal of damaged property and equipment.

Motorcycle sales however are expected to increase 10.5% to 12.6 million units compared to 11.4 million units from the previous fiscal year. Asia is again expected to contribute a large portion of the increase in sales but Honda is forecasting increased sales in all other regions including a 5% increase in unit sales for North America. Honda predicts sales to reach 195,000 in North America, compared to 185,000 in the year ended March 31, 2011 and 189,000 units the year before that.

Related Reading
Honda Reports Q4 2010-2011 Results

[Source: Honda]

Japan, of course, has contributed much to motorcycling, with the Big Four of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, as well as tire manufacturer Bridgestone, helmet companies Arai and Shoei and many other motorcycle industry stalwarts all coming from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Jon Bekefy and Greg Hatton, two motorcycle enthusiasts, industry employees  and above all, humanitarians, have set up a fundraising campaign benefiting the Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan.

If you want to help, please donate at http://www.crowdrise.com/moto4japan.