Electric motorbike distributor back from brink as manufacturer speeds to rescue

An electric motorbike distributor that collapsed into administration last week has been rescued by the manufacturer of the vehicles it supplies in a deal described as a “potential game-changer” for the two-wheel electric vehicle market.

Vmoto UK Distribution Ltd posted two notices of intention to appoint administrators (NOI) in just over a week in the second half of February before being forced to hand over its affairs to Kingsbridge Corporate Solutions.

The firm has been the sole UK importer and distributor of Vmoto motorbikes and Super Soco electric scooters since 2015.

Now, in happier news for the Newark firm, Vmoto Soco Group has rescued the business from collapse by buying out the Super Soco (Vmoto) UK brand.

The distributor will now be known as Vmoto Soco UK and sell a new range of vehicles under the Super Soco name alongside newly introduced premium Vmoto branded models.

Vmoto Soco Group managing director Charles Chen said: “This is a strategic acquisition that provides Vmoto with direct access to over 50 active B2C dealers in the UK, which is an important EV market for the company and will allow Vmoto to further expand its presence in the UK with an established management team. Direct sales to the B2C dealers will also allow Vmoto to grow the UK market share with more focused support.”

Andy Fenwick, managing director of Vmoto UK Distribution Limited, said: “Super Soco has become very well known amongst electric bike fans in the UK and our dealer network has made great strides in building brand confidence, so it is great that the manufacturer itself has invested into the distributor.”

Clive Mann, sales director at Vmoto Soco UK, added: “This acquisition is a potential game changer for the UK two-wheel EV market, allowing for us to push the Vmoto Super Soco as a manufacturer owned brand to the next level. Our aim is for this to benefit all, dealers, the environment and ultimately the end customer, the rider.”

According to its last available accounts, made up to the end of 2021, the Nottinghamshire company employs around 14 people.