Markus FlaschCEO of BMW Motorrad, has been elected new president of ACEMthe European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, with a mandate that starts next July 1 2026. ANESDOR, as a member association and Spanish counterpart of ACEM, celebrates its election and supports the strategic priorities that will mark the sector’s agenda in Europe for the next two years.
The 2026 ACEM General Assembly, held at the BMW Motorrad facility in BMW Welt in Munich, brought together representatives from across the motorcycle industry to elect the new president, review sector developments and define strategic priorities in the political, technical and social spheres.
Markus Flasch will focus his mandate on three strategic priorities
Flasch’s election comes at a decisive moment for the sector. The European motorcycle industry faces a confluence of regulatory, mobility and competitiveness challenges that require a strong and coordinated voice in Brussels. Picking up on the work started by his predecessor, his presidency will focus on three strategic priorities:
- Achieve the integration of category L vehicles (mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles) in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) of the main European cities
- Promote the sector’s decarbonization agenda while guaranteeing its industrial competitiveness
- Promote the role of motorcycling in leisure, tourism and sport as an engine of economic growth throughout Europe
The ACEM Presidium is completed with three vice presidents: Michele Colaninno (CEO of the Piaggio Group and outgoing president of ACEM), Claudio Domenicali (CEO of Ducati Motor Holding) and Clement Villet (Director of Land Mobility at Yamaha Motor Europe).
Additionally, it should be noted that both the president and the general secretary of ANESDOR are part of the ACEM Board of Directors. Jose Correia Luisdirector of the motorcycle division for Spain and Portugal at Honda, is the representative of his company in the European employers’ association and José María Riañothe representative of all national associations.
After his election Markus Flasch commented: “It is an honor to preside over ACEM and I am very grateful to my colleagues for the trust placed in me. We come to this new mandate from a position of solidity, thanks to the foundations we have built in recent years under the presidency of Michele Colaninno. Now it is time to maintain that momentum and continue gaining weight as a sector in Europe.”
“L-category vehicles are not a niche: they are a real response to the mobility challenges that Europe faces today. Our industry has the technology, the ambition and the responsibility to move towards sustainability without driving a motorcycle ceasing to be something accessible, safe and exciting for millions of Europeans. Competitiveness is and will continue to be our priority.”
He concluded by stating: “We will work closely with the European institutions so that the regulatory framework boosts innovation and industrial investment, not stops it. I am looking forward to working together to strengthen the motorcycle industry, inside and outside Europe”. For your part Antonio PerlotSecretary General of the Association of European Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), said:
“I look forward to continuing to advance the work of the association with the support of our new president, Markus Flasch, a strong management team and all our partners. The motorcycle industry is a valuable asset to the European economy, and ACEM will continue to convey to policy makers the benefits that L-category vehicles bring to society.”
Finally, José María Riaño, general secretary of ANESDOR, declared: “ANESDOR is proud to continue representing the group of national associations in the highest body of the European association. This responsibility allows us to reinforce Spain’s role as an automotive benchmark on the continent and actively contribute to the definition of the policies that will mark the future of mobility. A horizon in which L category vehicles are called to play an increasingly relevant role.”
