NZ startup UBCO appoints new leadership

Robin Fiore has been appointed Director of Sales for the New Zealand-born startup UBCO. They created the 2×2 Electric Utility Bike and now have more than 200 bikes on the road.

Fiore’s leadership will help lead their push into the US market, and his appointment has come at an important for UBCO as it pursues the US electric vehicle marketplace.

He has spent the last eight years of his career as a Senior District Sales Manager with the American Honda Motorcycle Division. He has worked hand-in-hand at 17 dealerships to maximise Honda powersports market share.

“I have always strived to be a rebel dreamer, and am inspired to bring mobility to the masses,” says Fiore.

“When I saw the UBCO 2×2 I immediately recognised what it represented and the multiple advantages its design offers – all-electric 2×2, a low centre of gravity, great battery capacity, step-through design and near silence, just to name a few.”

This opportunity allows Fiore to make a difference by expanding people’s accessibility to connect with nature and combines his love for motorbikes.

UBCO has already had proven performance and sales in agriculture and recreation and has recently found strong potential in commercial fleets for postal services, tourism, conversation, civic service operations and delivery operations.

Recently, three UBCO 2×2 vehicles were trials by New Zealand’s Dominoes in the busy CBDs of Auckland, Taupo and Queenstown to see if the bikes meet the delivery performance requirements.

UBCO have partnered with snowball Effect to raise capital for the next stage of company development. This will focus on existing shareholders and a small group of potential new wholesale investors. Information about the offer can be found at www.snowballeffect.co.nz/offers/ubco-2018

UBCO have grown revenue to $3m in the last 12 months, established an Oregon based office and launched their road legal 2×2.

The company are now preparing to launch in Europe this year. UBCO US President Ethan Ralston says he is excited by the growth of the company in the US and is thrilled by Fiore’s appointment.

“What I like most is he knows the ins and outs of a dealership,” Ralston says. “Our goal is to take that experience and transform our dealer programmes into some new and attractive – making it easy for Powersports dealers to work with our team and systems, with things like easy financing options, and straight forward purchasing programmes.”

“Robin’s creativity and drive to increase awareness of electric vehicles will help us transform the US market and the way people ride.”