The press in Mexico | Where BRP revives the motorcycle

(Querétaro, Mexico) It is an ancestor in the history of BRP. A Can-Am motorcycle was built 46 years ago that we found on the second-hand market. He did not succeed in the Quebec giant factory in Queretaro by chance: it is in Mexico that the manufacturer returns to the universe of two-wheeled vehicles-in electric version this time.

More than 4,000 kilometers south of Montreal, the Pulse (City) and Origin (Trail) models began to leave the factory last spring to take the road to dealerships. This gigantic complex, which covers the equivalent of 15 American football fields, already built the SPark motorcycle and the Rotax engines, in particular.

When The press Visit the place, last May, as part of a series of reports in Mexico, the machine already seems well oiled. Nevertheless, we do not start to build electric models by snapping fingers.

A new mounting chain, different manufacturing sequences and handling of high voltage electrical equipment … We are not idle between the walls of the Querétaro complex.

“It took about a year to put everything in place and to make sure to have all the equipment, explains to The press The director of the BRP factory in Querétaro, Juan Carlos Gonzalez. There are fewer parts, but in terms of security, the protocol is different with the [composants] high voltage. »»

A whole contrast to the motocross built in 1979 – and which works perfectly – well in view of the mounting chain. The copies do not run the streets. How did he end up in Mexico? BRP employees in Querétaro managed to get their hands on an original model in Quebec.

And the reason for exposing it? To remind everyone that the former Bombardier’s recreational product division – known for its snowmobiles, motorcycles and other recreational vehicles – is not unrelated to motorcycles.

Back on two wheels

It is a short chapter in the history of the multinational, which began in 1973 before ending 14 years later. However, it was reopened in the spring of 2022, when BRP announced its return to the niche of two -wheeled vehicles.

There are some differences. In addition to the roads on the road and on the trail, the Quebec multinational has decided to bet on electric models.

Everything has been imagined and designed in Valcourt, in the BRP headquarters, but in Querétaro, the adventure of the motorcycle has repercussions that go beyond a new mounting chain.

You have to get out of the main building and walk for ten minutes to see the imposing building which has come out of the ground to accommodate a unit for the manufacture of battery blocks-which equip motorcycles-almost entirely automated, the first of its kind in the region.

“It is for security questions that it is a little further [du site d’assemblage]explains Mr. Gonzalez, in reference to the risk of fire which can watch for the defective batteries. If a battery is considered non -compliant, it can be returned safely. »»

The return to the motorcycle niche is one of the electrification shutters at BRP. With respective autonomy of 145 km (Origin) and 160 km (Pulse), its electric motorcycles are resolutely aimed at clientele located near urban centers, where the options and charging opportunities are more frequent.

It remains to be seen if customers will follow suit.

Less craze

The drop in craze towards electrification has already been felt, concedes the president and chief executive officer of the Quebec manufacturer, José Boisjoli. In the long term, the turn remains essential, pleads the manager, who must leave for retirement by the end of January 2026.

“In the United States, the administration [Trump] is much less fervent of this [l’électrification]he explains in an interview with The press Having preceded the visit to Mexican territory. Since she was in office, we have lost certain dealers, who told us “not immediately”. »»

Mr. Boisjoli does not hide it: the craze is lower than desired. But history is just beginning, he adds. BRP-designed the batteries designed is also found in its snowmobiles and we must announce the electrification of a third product in the fall, according to the engineer.

The manufacturers obviously have bread to convince the fan of the motorcycle to take the electric turn. A glance in the financial statements of Livewire, a swarming a swarm of the famous American manufacturer Harley-Davidson, does not lie.

During the first three months of the year, the company only sold 33 copies of its models, which constitutes a fall of 72 % compared to the same period in 2024. In 2022, when announcing its electric motorcycles, the Quebec manufacturer said to hope that this segment represents sales of at least half a billion dollars annually.

This objective may be difficult to achieve.

And BRP motorcycles offer more limited autonomy compared to models built by rivals like Livewire and Zero.

“The price and limited autonomy compared to other competitors could constitute an obstacle for certain potential buyers,” said the specialized publication Motorcycle.com in its evaluation last fall.

Nevertheless, the two BRP models offer “many characteristics that cannot be found on other electric motorcycles”, added the report, highlighting the quality of the product.