Triumph Motorcycles Update: Royal Boost as U.K. Motorcycle Company Triumphs Over Adversity

    NEWNAN, Ga.--March 26, 2002--

    His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, Has Given Britain's Only Motorcycle Manufacturer a Boost as the Company Triumphs
    Over Adversity

    Within hours of learning about a fire at one of Triumph Motorcycles' production facilities, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, who is special representative for international trade and investment, rearranged his schedule to make a goodwill visit to the company as reconstruction work gets underway in Hinckley.
    Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Timothy Brooks, Prince Andrew donned a hard hat, toured affected areas, talked to staff and heard about the company's plans for a rapid recovery.
    After the tour, Prince Andrew said he was delighted to hear that work was about to start on rebuilding the factory, and predicted that the great British institution would come back stronger than ever. "This is a great British company that has been a leader in its field for many years. I wanted to let them know how important they are to the U.K. economy," he said.
    And he told staff: "As Britain's only motorcycle manufacturer, you have a big part to play in the market place. Triumph is going to rebuild and that is good news for the industry and for British engineering."
    Prince Andrew was shown around the factory by Karl Wharton, managing director of Triumph Motorcycles, who said: "The Duke's visit was a real boost for Triumph and everyone involved in helping to rebuild the company. Construction is soon to start and we are optimistic that production will be back to normal before the end of the summer.
    "It is very important for all our customers and dealers and staff to know that there is so much support for Triumph," he said.
    Prince Andrew's activities in his new role are in support of British Trade International (BTI), the government body set up to support U.K. countries trading internationally and encourage foreign investment.
    Triumph, who manufactures more than 33,000 motorcycles in Britain a year, supplies bikes, parts and accessories to more than 25 different countries, including those in western Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and several markets in Latin America.
    As 80% of the company's production is for export, Triumph has reassured its 800-dealer network across the world that the fire will have no immediate impact on its overseas business.
    "Distribution of the Triumph range of motorcycles, parts and accessories, and our warranty service, will continue as the company prepares to work 'round the clock to ensure that motorcycles roll off the new assembly line by late August," added Wharton.
    Triumph Motorcycles America Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles Ltd., the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles America is located in Newnan, and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.
    For further information contact Beverly St. Clair or Juls Hernandez at St.Clair Juls & Co. at 949/706-7062.

    Note: A Photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.032602/bb9