The e-bike market is growing at a fast pace, propelled in large part by consumer and corporate interest in sustainability. Fortune Business Analysis, as reported by Inside EVs, estimates that the global market will increase from $37.47 billion in 2022 to an expected $43.32 billion in 2023, translating to annual growth of 15.61%. By 2030, […]
Archive | Automotive
Putting The Pedal to the Metal on NFTs
The automotive industry has been very active in the NFT space, especially since the start of last year. Some of the companies that have announced new initiatives or taken steps to enter the world of NFTs since the beginning of 2023 include DeLorean, Hyundai, Lamborghini, Renault, Rolls Royce, and Škoda India. Most of the ventures […]
Kings of the Road
Licensing has had a presence in the RV and camper industry for decades, with new deals announced relatively infrequently, but consistently, over the years. Brands involved have tended to be those with a very close fit to the category, mainly outdoors- and vehicle-related properties, with some lifestyle examples thrown in as well. In the last […]
Picking Up the Pace
The governing bodies that oversee professional racing across a variety of vehicles and types, along with other racing-related properties, have been active on the consumer products front since the beginning of 2022. Many have signed new licensing deals (especially in gaming, toys, and collectibles), extended existing agreements, launched new product lines, retained new agents, and/or […]
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Car, motorcycle, and consumer truck brands represent one of the most significant areas of corporate licensing in terms of sales levels, with almost all mainstream brands having established programs in place. Other vehicle-related trademarks—from boat, train, and airplane brands to camper and commercial tractor-trailer labels—are in the mix as well. A handful of recent agency […]
Getting More Mileage from Car Care Brands
Last week, VP Racing Fuels, a marketer of performance fuels, lubricants, and additives, and its agency Pacific Swell Brands promoted a deal with Mattel calling for the VP Racing IP to be featured on Hot Wheels cars. The first product to highlight the brand will be the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, which races in the […]
A Different Kind of Commute
Some consumers—a growing, albeit still small, number—are considering alternatives to gas-guzzling cars as a means of getting to work. As a result, relevant corporate licensors have been taking a closer look at commuter scooters as a potential brand-extension category. This segment includes high-end and street-legal vehicles such as foot-powered kick scooters, Segway-like personal transportation, electric […]
On the Road
Recent deals involving Elle magazine, Star Wars, and designer Inès de la Fressange, among others, serve as a reminder of the strong marriage between special-edition automobiles and licensed properties of all types: • Entertainment. In December, Nissan released a series of seven concept cars tied to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, each inspired by a […]