Segway New Zealand launched the Segway Dirt Bike range at the beginning of 2021, shortly after receiving our first demo unit in October 2020.
Our first customer purchased a X160 in January, and the first X260s arrived in time for delivery to customers during February.
By year-end, we had dozens of excited and thrilled Dirt Bike customers spread nationwide, ranging from off-road enthusiasts to farmers to forestry contractors. Test rides have been offered throughout the year at our rural property near Woodhill Forest (North West Auckland), except during Covid Alert Levels 4 and 3.
In addition to offering our comprehensive factory-backed warranty, full service, and holding spare parts in stock, Segway New Zealand also selected and imported a range of really useful third-party after-market accessories for sale.
In articles published here at Segway NZ News and in broader advertising and promotions we highlighted the benefits of Segway electric Dirt Bikes to the wider public (for example, here). We identified and recommended three handy ways to transport your Segway Dirt Bike on the back of your car.
Despite 2021 being fraught with production delays at the factory (due to widely reported component shortages and disruptions to supply chains), and repeated instances of our containers experiencing shipping delays between China and New Zealand, over the past year we successfully imported half-a-dozen consignments that included Segway Dirt Bikes (including this one in June). Even though Covid and lockdowns disrupted lives and business across New Zealand (and especially in the Greater Auckland region), by the end of 2021 demand for the X260 was still exceeding our ability to source stock. By the last day of 2021 only a couple X160s were left unsold from our latest shipment. At this point no more Dirt Bikes are in transit, nor available ex-factory - so be quick if you want a X160 (and be in touch if you want a X260, as we still might be able to find a way to help you).
Segway New Zealand sold the majority of Dirt Bikes directly to our customers, and a small number were sold through our resellers. In addition to our long-established Segway Dealers in Wellington and Christchurch, we also advanced plans to establish more sales points nationwide (adding five retailers in North Island, and one in South Island). Ultimately, there was insufficient supply of stock available during 2021 to fully open these new channels (only a couple of the new North Island resellers received initial stock).