Desperate times ask for desperate actions and Best Buy is up to such desperate act as it is offering electric bicycles, scooters, and Segway transporters at 21 of its West Coast stores.
While the U.S. economy is uncertain and electric vehicle technology is in its infancy, Best Buy is hoping to get in on the ground floor of an emerging market category that not only builds on the company’s technology orientation but also subverts the traditional dealer-distribution model for motorized transportation. Best Buy Chief Executive Brian Dunn defended the biker excursion as just the type of venture the company needs to test new its retail formula amid changing technological trends.
With the introduction of the Brammo Enertia, a futuristic electric motorcycle that can travel 45 miles at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and plugs into a standard wall outlet Best Buy is throttling up the venture this summer. Priced at $12,000 (and with premium design elements geared towards the eco-luxury crowd), it may take a price drop to truly serve as a bike for the people.
The only benefit of selling the fuel-efficient bikes may be that curiosity about them will bring shoppers to Best Buy locations. Those shoppers may not want new transportation, but they will probably have a look around at the rest of the merchandise at the stores. That could help sales.
If the fuel efficient bikes gamble plays off then what next may be fuel efficient Honda Cars.
Tags: best buy, bike, electric car, fuel, rate
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