Former Buell Employee Abe Askenazi Joins Zero Motorcycles

Zero Motorcycles and other electric manufacturers are raising stars in the motorcycle industry where few American companies have seen large scale success. Late last year one of the most loved to hate American motorcycle companies in history closed it’s doors just as it was starting to win AMA races and claimed an AMA championship. Years of motorcycle experience hit the streets after Buell closed it’s doors and it appears Zero was able to grab 14 years of it by bringing on Abe Askenazi as Vice President of Engineering. With that much knowledge of motorcycles under his belt it is a great sign companies like Zero are on the right track.

Check out the press release after the break for more details.

Santa Cruz, CA (Feb. 25) – Zero Motorcycles today announced that Abe Askenazi has joined the company as Vice President of Engineering. Askenazi, who comes to Zero from Buell Motorcycle Company will lead Zero’s engineering and design teams. Askenazi has more than 14 years of product and technology experience in the motorcycle industry, and was previously Senior Director of Analysis, Test and Engineering Process at Buell Motorcycle Co.
“Abe is a seasoned leader and engineer and is an excellent addition to our management team,” said Gene Banman, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “He impressed us with his vast experience and many successes at Buell and we are looking forward to working with Abe in his new capacity at Zero Motorcycles.”
Askenazi has a Master’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and often shared his knowledge of motorcycles and design in technical articles as part of his regular “Ask Abe” column in “Fuell Magazine.” During his tenure at Buell, Askenazi led his team to develop 26 motorcycle models from concept to production across four different platforms, which attributed to more than one billion dollars in sales. Other notable accomplishments credited to Askenazi include patents for front brake rotor mounting, lightweight wheels, spoke arrangement, and an integral fuel storage unit with a breakaway steering head currently featured on several Buell motorcycles.
You can find out more about Zero Motorcycles product line and general information on Zero Motorcycles’ website, www.zeromotorcycles.com.
For media information, please contact John Ewert, DRIVEN Public Relations 951-461-2429 or media@zeromotorcycles.com

Photo: Fuell Newsletter Winter 2007