Brits loot 39 BMWs from MSC Napolia for South Africa

[totalmotorcycle]

Brits loot 39 BMWs from MSC Napolia for South Africa
Thursday, January 25, 2007 - By: Derryn Craib - Fin 24 - fin24.co.za



Pietermaritzburg - South African bikers who are fans of the BMW hoping to buy a new toy might have to wait a bit longer after 39 motorcycles destined for the country were scavenged from a stranded ship on the south coast of England.

The bikes were part of the cargo on the contained ship MSC Napolis, 40% of whose cargo washed ashore. Scavengers removed the bikes that were washed onto the beach.

Marketing manager for BMW Lifestyle South Africa, Rob Barnes, said that the overall worth of the bikes was close to R4million.

The prices of individual motorcycles ranged from R85 000 to R140 000 for the popular K1200GT model.

Other models aboard were the R1200RT and the S800ST.

The bikes were part of a stock en route to BMW Motorrad South Africa, the motorcycle division of the dealership, when the ship encountered problems.

Barnes confirmed that BMW has already rescheduled the production of the motorcycles that were lost so that they are able to be delivered as soon as possible.

The bikes are manufactured in Berlin and are expected to be complete within four weeks.

BMW UK's legal team is currently working on recovering the bikes but it is unknown whether or not they will take legal action against the scavengers.