KYMKO

Sep 1, 2017

KYMCO Launches AK 550 in Japan Test Ride

 

AK 550, The Very First Model Introduced with KYMCO Noodoe A Rider-centric Innovation for Heart-winning Experience

 

Tokyo, Japan – September 1, 2017 – KYMCO officially enters the Japanese Scooter market through its local subsidiary when its AK 550 model is launched today in Tokyo with a test ride event at Twin Ring Motegi. The launch is a milestone for KYMCO, as it marks the debut of KYMCO’s “Connected Scooter Experience”, Noodoe, in the international market. The AK 550 will be the first model equipped with this rider-centric designed Internet of Vehicle (IoV) system. Most importantly, AK 550 has the perfect integration of sport and premium designs, offering an unparalleled “The Thrills of Touring” riding experience with utmost attention to every detail.

 

 

A Breakthrough for Riding Experience, both Hardware and Software.

 

KYMCO AK 550 integrates the comfort and convenience of scooters, with the lifestyle and performance of sport motorbikes. The design of AK 550 is a combination of luxury and practicality, from its distinctive exterior to lightweight construction, gravity placement to the seat height. Being the first KYMCO model equipped with Noodoe for the all-new rider-centric “Connected Scooter Experience,” AK 550 pioneers a new Maxi Scooter segment called “Super Touring,” while marking a new era of Internet of Vehicles (IOV) for scooters.

 

Providing riders with essential digital service and daily information, Noodoe allows riders to stay connected and share their experience through Cloud Technology. This ground-breaking design of Noodoe has already received high acclaim from the international media and consumers ever since it was unveiled in November 2016 at the EICMA Milan Show and at the CES Las Vegas in January 2017. Through the launch of AK 550 and other subsequent models, over 16,000 consumers have become KYMCO Noodoe users in just two months, generating over 70,000 creations with personality, creativity and imagination.

 

“AK 550 represents the best of KYMCO’s vehicle-making craftsmanship of the past 50 years, while becoming a great starting point for the next 50 years. AK 550 is a milestone for Maxi Scooters as well as our first step into international market for IoV,” said Mr. Allen Ko, Chairman of KYMCO Group. “Today, I am very excited to come back to Tokyo where AK 550, previously the K50 Concept, started, for its official launch and the Test Ride Event. I look forward to delivering KYMCO’s “Win My Heart” spirit through the “Super Touring” riding experience of AK 550.”

 

A Rider’s Journey Never Ends. The Innovation of KYMCO Never Stops.

 

KYMCO strives for breakthroughs to fulfill consumers’ needs through innovation. According to Mr. Ko, KYMCO will announce a new C Series Concept at the 2017 EICMA Milan Show. Aiming to be the pioneer of a new scooter segment “Adventure Tourer,” the C Series Concept is expected to provide “The Luxury of Discovery” for riders who seek grand leisure lifestyle and the ultimate in comfort and practicality for long journey travel, together with light adventure features and capability for the fun of discovery.

 

To support the global movement of green energy and electronic vehicles, KYMCO will also unveil a revolutionary electric solution -- “Project NEX” (Project New Electric eXperience) at the 2018 Tokyo Motorcycle Show. Taking advantage of KYMCO’s 50 years of vehicle-making craftsmanship and understanding and experience of riders’ everyday needs, KYMCO aims to finally make electric a practical and affordable solution for all consumers.

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH AK 550 Launch and Test Ride Event at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon!

 

Welcome to the AK 550 Launch and Test Ride Event at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.

 

In March 2016, KYMCO announced the K50 Concept at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, which drew enormous attention worldwide. In June 2016, we named the production version of the K50 Concept “AK 550”, using the abbreviation of “Anniversario KYMCO”, which means “KYMCO Anniversary” in Italian. In October 2016, we officially launched AK 550 at the INTERMOT Cologne Show in Germany. And today, AK 550 is coming back to where it started for its official launch in Japan. I believe that after today’s AK 550 Launch and Test Ride Event, you will be excited by the handling and performance of AK 550. Moreover, you will sense KYMCO’s brand spirit “Win My Heart” through “The Thrills of Touring” riding experience delivered by AK 550.

 

AK 550 pioneers a new Maxi Scooter segment called “Super Touring,” while also launching a new era of Internet of Vehicles (IOV). AK 550 is the first KYMCO model to be equipped with the all-new “Connected Scooter Experience” Noodoe, which was unveiled in November 2016 at the EICMA Milan Show in Italy, and further received high acclaim at CES Las Vegas in January 2017. Noodoe is the first IOV experience designed from the perspective of the riders. Through the launch of AK 550 and subsequent other models, in just two months, over 16,000 consumers have become KYMCO Noodoe lovers. And they have generated over 70,000 creations, every one of them embodying an individual’s own personality, creativity, and imagination. KYMCO’s “Win My Heart” spirit has brought a wonderful everyday experience to everyone with its innovative technology.

 

Looking to the future, we continue to strive for breakthroughs to fulfill our consumers’ needs. At the coming 2017 EICMA Milan Show, KYMCO will announce a new C Series Concept, which aims to be the pioneer of a new scooter segment “Adventure Tourer.” Different from the K50 Concept, which aspires to provide riders with “The Thrills of Touring,” the C Series Concept strives to provide riders with “The Luxury of Discovery.” We hope to bring to those scooter riders who seek grand leisure lifestyle the ultimate in comfort and practicality for a long journey travel, together with the light adventure feature and capability for the fun of discovery.

 

 

As people are increasingly more aware of the global environmental issues, green power has become an important trend. While creating electric scooters is not new, the real challenge has been making them practical, affordable and popular among consumers. For years this endeavor has been attempted by many, yet none has succeeded in the mass market. As a result, at the 2018 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, we will unveil a revolutionary solution “Project NEX” to make the electric scooter a “heart-winning” consumer choice. We will demonstrate our commitment to the sustainability of the Earth, and more importantly, we want to make use of the latest innovation and technology to finally make electric a popular reality.

 

 

AK 550 represents the technology and know-how KYMCO has accumulated over the past 50 years. AK 550 also represents for KYMCO a whole new starting point for the next half century. Today, I am very happy to be here at the origin of AK 550 to share with you our future blueprint in building KYMCO as a truly global brand. The spirit of KYMCO, Win My Heart, is to always go above and beyond. Finally, I want to thank you again for all of your support of KYMCO. I wish you a very wonderful day.

Thank you!

 

Learn more