Fledgling Chinese manufacturer and sister brand to Volvo Lynk & Co has announced a surprise shift into the motorcycle industry by unveiling its first new model based on the Benelli TNT 600.
One of numerous new brands to emerge from China over the past decade, Lynk & Co remains one of the youngest and most significant attempts to establish itself as a global marque.
Launched as a manufacturer in 2016 with its first four-wheel model rolling off the production line in 2017, Lynk & Co was formed by one of China’s biggest manufacturing companies, Geely, and is developed around a premium image inspired by European counterparts, most notably Volvo.
Indeed, while you may not have heard of Lynk & Co itself, it shares many parts and features - such as plush interior designs - with the Swedish marque, which has flourished since Geely bought it from Ford, creating some of the coolest executive cars on the market today.
Having expanded its four-wheel offerings in recent years and even gained some exposure with its title-winning success in the World Touring Car Championship, Lynk & Co will now attempt to entice a two-wheel demographic with its first unnamed motorcycle.
However, the company has skirted the risk - for now - of developing its own model by rebadging the Benelli TNT 600 naked as part of a tie-in involving Geely and QJ Motor.
Some smart photography can’t quite disguise the fact there is little to differentiate the two bikes beyond badging and a quite stylish yellow and black colourway, but we’d say its an improvement on an otherwise bland roadster.
Arguably of more interest is the potential for Lynk & Co to bring its unusual sales model to the industry with an encouragement to hire or rent, rather than buy outright.
Though this model for now is direct-to-customer in China only for now, there is certainly value in the prospect of having access to a motorcycle yet only pay for the time spent on the road, with a Zipcar style app-unlocking system meaning you can grab one when you need without paperwork or talking to anyone.
An evident toe in the water exercise, there is clearly scope for Lynk & Co to begin creating their own motorcycle range in future.
