The automotive world has been buzzing of late about BMW‘s upcoming i3 electric car having an optional range extending gas-powered motorcycle engine. As our sister site Autoguide.com reports, the i3 will be available with an optional two-cylinder BMW motorcycle engine to power a generator which can recharge the electric motor and extend the vehicle’s range to 250 miles compared to a range of 60-90 miles relying just on the battery.

It turns out that two-cylinder motorcycle engine will actually be provided to BMW by Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco. This should be no real surprise as Kymco supplies several engines for the smaller-displacement BMW motorcycles including the engine for the single-cylinder G450X and the parallel-Twin engine used in the BMW C650GT and C600 Sport maxi-scooters. Continue Reading »

Kymco USA announced four new models for 2013, bumping its scooter lineup to 16 models. Joining Kymco‘s offerings are the Compagno in 50cc and 110cc iterations, the Movie 150 and the Xciting 500Ri ABS.

The Compagno 50i and 110i (pictured above) feature a traditional Italian-style scooter design. The 50i version is powered by an air-cooled 49.5cc three-valve fuel injected engine while the 110i comes with a 112cc four-valve fuel injected engine. Both versions feature underseat storage, LCD digital fuel gauge and clock, folding passenger pegs, magnetic key lock and 1.45 gallon fuel tanks. According to Kymco, the Compagno scooters weigh 189 pounds which, combined with the 29-inch seat height, should make it accessible for beginners and smaller riders.

The 2013 Kymco Compagno 50i is priced at $2,599 and will be offered in Black or White, both with silver accents. The larger Compagno 110i is available for $2,999 and will offered in Light Blue or Metallic Mocha. Continue Reading »

Kymco USA President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Bondy has resigned, stepping down from a position he has held for seven years.

Bondy is leaving Kymco to explore a new, but unspecified, opportunity, but will remain with the company until Dec. 15 to help ensure a smooth transition.

Ming Hsin Lee, current senior vice president of Kymco USA will replace Bondy as both president and CEO. Lee is a long-time employee of Kymco, joining the company in 1984 and working in various roles ranging from production, research and development, sourcing, quality control, IT, accounting and dealer development. For the last four years, Lee served as a liason between Kymco USA and the parent company from his native Taiwan.

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