Could also be a form off advertising.
Let's see, spend a few million dollars on advertising on the radio, and internet, which nobody pays attention or listens to anyways, or just put the money into a bike program, to get the bikes on the street, let them be SEEN and that is their advertisement. If they play it right and refurb them in the US, which they could easily do in their San Fran shop, they can then sell them as Dealer Certified Preowned, and should still qualify for 3 to 4k of unca sammy's bonus buxxx for buying electric. Now sell those with a bit of a Fed Incentive package on it, and recover most of your investment.
I am sure there are many more out there as well, besides the few people who will turn theirs in, this also gives them spare parts, for when things start breaking down in a few years, for people to buy rebuilt parts for their bikes, much like the alternator you buy for your car is a rebuild, water pump etc etc.
Have you written to them asking what their plan is, what is their thinking behind the deal? It would be interesting if they share with us, what they are up to. Batteries typically last 8 years or so, they could still flip them, and offer a 3 or 4 year warranty on the battery STILL, and sell at a lower price for those who'd love to get an e bike, of any kind just balk at the price of them.
Im sure they have some kind of plan, but you are correct, it'd be interesting to hear what they are up to now!!
Aaron
PS I paid for my new bike the beginning of this year, im getting it today. Ill try to post pictures today IF it's not pouring out, if not Ill get them up tomorrow.
