I spent about a year with UBCO's innovative 2x2 electric motorcycle, and took it around my neighborhood, learned how to Akira slide in my backyard, and went deep into the woods thanks to its cool two-wheel drive system. It was, however, expensive to save the least for the limited range and it not being a full-on electric motorcycle.
It was a hybrid of sorts. A cross between a scooter and a motorcycle, which made its $10,000+ asking price a bit of a hard pill to swallow for many. And with the economy being what it is, and the looming threat of tariffs stagnating the global supply chain and its distribution, small companies just can't afford to have a product that's that niche.
And so, earlier this year, RideApart reported that UBCO had gone bankrupt and was likely closing up shop despite the product being quite good. But, like Energica, we held out hope that someone would step in and help the fledgling New Zealand-based brand out and get it back on stable ground. That time, luckily, has come, as UBCO has been saved.
But for those holding onto hope they'll be back in full force around the world, you might want to sit down, as things are changing for the brand.
First off, it's changing its name. UBCO will now be known as Utility Fleet Vehicles, which should hint at where this new brand is heading. According to The Pack, however, the company was saved in the 11th hour by a handful of new investors, one old investor, and its old CEO.
"The new owners include Sir Stephen Tindall (via K1W1), Peter Goodfellow (Avalon Asset Management), and the Holdsworth family (Evander Management), who together now hold a majority ownership. Jubilee Investments retains a significant share with 39%," says the outlet, adding, "UBCO’s Australian subsidiary and New Zealand finance branches, neither of which were in receivership, are also part of this new arrangement. The company will keep its 21 employees at its Mount Maunganui location, and Taiwan’s TPK will continue as the contract manufacturer. Oliver Hutaff has returned to the role of CEO."
All of that is good, as the company can continue its operations. However, the reorganization will change from its business-to-consumer model with a branch of business-to-business and business-to-local-government sales, to a purely "fleet" and "defense" business model. So you're likely not going to get a second generation UBCO 2x2 anytime soon, as the brand will focus its efforts on supporting things like mail service and the military in New Zealand and Australia, though Europe and the United States aren't out of that picture.
Maybe the company will get back to stable ground at some point and start building new adventure motorcycles for us all, though. Only time will tell.
