Folding bikes: Great leap forward

U.S. folding bike maker Dahon reports record bike sales in 2007, with 348,000 folding bicycles sold in 2007 compared with 290,000 in 2006, representing a 20% increase in unit sales and 36% increase in revenue.

Dahon’s increased sales in the U.S. and worldwide are part of a larger trend of increased sales of commuter bikes. In spite of recession (or perhaps because of it?), “one sector of the economy that did surprisingly well in 2007 was bicycle sales.” Something that may take some wind out of that trend, though, is the news that prices are expected to increase this year on everything throughout the bike industry — from semi-finished product suppliers; component makers up to bike manufacturers. U.S. prices are expected to be raised by at least 10 to 15% because of the rapidly falling dollar, inflation in Asia, and higher raw material and shipping costs.

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