In a niche but significant milestone for the secondary EV market, Pickles recently delivered Australia's largest-ever electric motorcycle auction – a standout result made possible by a tailored remarketing strategy, targeted campaigns, and deep buyer networks.
The auction followed the liquidation of a major national motorcycle retailer, a long-established retail chain with locations across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. While the majority of the business was on-sold, more than 400 electric motorcycles – primarily supersport and commuter-style models – remained without warranty.
Pickles was appointed by KordaMentha and a major financier to manage the national asset disposal. With few local benchmarks for electric motorbike resale, and total national sales in 2024 also sitting at around 400 units, this auction represented a bold test of demand for a complex, high-value, and relatively unfamiliar asset class.
“This was a complex sale, presenting unique challenges around stock volumes and targeted buyer engagement,” says Helen Sklavos, Executive Manager – Finance & Advisory. “So we built a multi-pronged campaign to engage private buyers and motorcycle enthusiasts directly, using data-driven insights, creative content, and our national buyer base.”
A tailored campaign that shifted gears
Pickles developed a dedicated national auction campaign across digital, social, and PR, supported by a custom photo and video library and targeted EDMs to motorcycle buyers. Every asset was accompanied by a detailed condition report, and all batteries were tested by EV technicians to improve buyer confidence.
Strong early demand saw bids exceed expectations by the fourth day of the five-day campaign – prompting the auction to be re-listed as “Unreserved”. This final push drove a surge in participation, delivering outstanding results ~50 per cent higher than projected for vendors and confirming latent demand for unique electric vehicles outside the mainstream passenger market.
“It's a textbook case of what happens when you combine asset-specific strategy with platform reach and transparent testing,” says Sklavos. “The result was more than just a great sales outcome – it gave confidence to sellers, buyers, and the broader market alike.”
The success of the campaign signals a broader opportunity for repurposing and remarketing non-traditional EVs, particularly as newer models enter the Australian market. With battery testing and resale frameworks now in place, Pickles is set to play a leading role in building confidence in the electric two-wheel segment.