BMW Motorrad North America has apparently issued a stop-sale order and asked its United States-based dealers to stop selling all new, internal combustion-powered BMW motorcycles. At least two dealers have confirmed that during a recent Skype call, BMW Motorrad North America put the stop-sale order in place. It’s not yet clear whether the stop-sale order also affects Canada.
According to one dealer, BMW North America said that the issue stems from an emissions canister component provided by a non-BMW supplier. However, a different dealer couldn’t confirm that the stop-sale order resulted from a supplier-provided part and suggested that it could be something entirely different.
Unfortunately for dealers, during the call, BMW was unable or unwilling to immediately specify how long the stop-sale order would be in effect. However, the mothership said they would provide more information soon.
The stop-sale order leaves many wondering about the true nature of the issue. Particularly since it apparently pertains to all BMW motorcycles sold in the US. As of the writing of this article, the US’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not released any information on a large-scale recall for BMW motorcycles.
The order leaves both dealers and riders waiting for additional information. The order’s impact will especially be felt by small dealers, particularly those that carry perhaps one or two brands of motorcycles. The timing of the order is very unfortunate as these types of dealers are unlikely to be able to sit on their inventory for extended periods, and the riding season is winding down in many parts of the US.
The inability of its dealer partners to sell a single internal combustion-engine BMW motorcycle is certainly something BMW Motorrad will try to solve as quickly as possible. We have reached out to BMW Motorrad for comment, and we’ll update you with any details when they become available.