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ELECTRIC
Powersports Business • January 2026 • 27
Kandi acquires U. S. electric offroad motorcycle brand Rawrr
Kandi Technologies Group has acquired Rawrr Inc., a U. S.-based premium electric off-road motorcycle brand, in a move that strengthens Kandi’ s position in the North American powersports market and accelerates its multibrand growth strategy.
The acquisition, completed Dec. 5, gives Kandi full ownership of Rawrr, a growing electric off-road motorcycle brand that has gained traction with younger riders through lightweight designs, performance-focused engineering and a lifestyle-driven brand presence.
Kandi said the deal expands its reach beyond electric utility vehicles and LSVs, adding electric motorcycles to a portfolio that already includes UTVs and other offroad platforms. The combined lineup allows Kandi to offer a broader range of low-emission vehicles across recreation, utility and outdoor lifestyle segments.
“ This acquisition materially expands Kandi’ s consumer demographic in the United States. Rawrr has strong appeal among younger, experience-driven riders. Bringing the brand into our portfolio positions us to reach a more diverse and dynamic customer base as we continue to build a multibrand platform,” says Feng Chen, CEO of Kandi Technologies.
Rawrr’ s product line is expected to complement Kandi’ s existing North American operations, creating opportunities for cross-selling and increased showroom traffic— particularly among first-time buyers entering the powersports market through electric platforms.
From a distribution standpoint, Rawrr is positioned to leverage Kandi’ s established North American retail channels, including big-box and specialty outlets. At the same time, Rawrr’ s direct-to-consumer capabilities and nearly 300 U. S. dealers are expected to expand Kandi’ s reach within specialty powersports retail and strengthen its digital sales strategy.
Kandi says the acquisition is a platform for operational synergies, improved manufacturing scale, and broader market penetration,
R awrr’ s product line is expected to complement Kandi’ s existing North American operations, creating opportunities for cross-selling and increased showroom traffic.( Photo: Rawrr Inc.)
while maintaining Rawrr’ s brand identity in the electric off-road motorcycle segment.
Stark shatters high-altitude riding record with electric VARG EX
Stark Future just planted a flag where combustion bikes run out of breath. The company announced that Swiss mountaineer-rider Jiri Zak has set a new Guinness World Record( pending final verification) altitude mark for motorcycles, piloting a stock Stark VARG EX electric enduro to 22,044 feet on Chile’ s Los Ojos del Salado, the highest active volcano on earth.
The attempt, completed Nov. 30, pushed both rider and machine into brutally thin air, sub-zero temperatures, and unstable volcanic terrain. The team certified and calibrated GPS devices in advance, with the final logs now undergoing independent verification.
The attempt, completed Nov. 30, pushed both rider and machine into brutally thin air, sub-zero temperatures, and unstable volcanic terrain.( Photo: Stark Future)
Los Ojos del Salado has long been the industry’ s proving ground: Porsche, Yamaha,
and Jeep have all chased altitude records there since the early 2000s. But the VARG EX’ s electric drivetrain— no gears, fewer moving parts, and zero power loss from thinning air— gave Stark an edge where internalcombustion engines typically suffocate.
Zak said the climb was as dangerous as it was historic:“ Two years ago, this was just a dream— to do it on an electric bike, where combustion loses its breath. Ojos is unforgiving; one mistake can cost your life. That’ s why I’ m here with a team I trust and a motorcycle that keeps delivering power in thin air.”
Stark Future founder and CEO Anton Wass framed the record as a statement to the
industry:“ This was never about a standalone number. It’ s about proving that electric is not a compromise. The VARG can operate at the edge of the atmosphere— further than any combustion bike could. Next stop? The moon.”
A dedicated logistics and production team supported the multiday effort, managing acclimatization, weather, filming, and the technical demands of running battery systems in sub-freezing, low-pressure conditions.
For dealers, this record reinforces a message Stark has been pushing since launch: electric platforms aren’ t just competitive— they’ re expanding performance boundaries ICE bikes can’ t reach.
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Father-and-daughter duo Mike Venziano and For 2025, Polaris offers an expanded warranty across
Misty Rohdes own Rich’ s Yamaha of Lockport, the Ranger lineup, new trim offerings, refreshed style,
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In a nostalgic return to its roots, the Best Operators Club( BOC) just celebrated its 36th anniversary in Madison, Wisconsin— the very place where it all began in 1988.
Service tech buys dream dealership, continues wrenching
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The 2024 North American NVP Product Expo at the newly expanded Baird Center on September 7−8 exceeded expectations and broke new ground with its extensive floor plan.
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