This one has been flying under the radar for the past day or so, but talk is starting to heat up on some forums that
Segway Inc. has effectively been bought out by one of its own dealerships. That initial word seems to have come from a Segway Inc. shareholder, who says he recently received a stockholder letter informing him that Segway Inc. would be "merging" with JWH Holdings, which is apparently a company formed by Segway UK simply for the purpose of this merger. What's more, while the deal is apparently being called a merger, the letter itself reportedly confirms that it's more of a complete buyout, with current CEO Jim Norrod supposedly set to be replaced by Tricia Laidler, and Segway UK's Wayne Mitchell stepping up to be the new COO. Still nothing in the way of official statements from either party just yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything one way or the other.
[Thanks, Ed J]
posted January 13th 2010 5:35PM
huh
@Aurailious
ironically, Segways are not road legal in the UK
@Acey
What buffoon would ride a Segway on a road anyway, especially in the city like their designed for, unless they had a death wish!
@Acey Thats not ironic.
@Ross McLean
However I am pretty sure they are not legal to ride on pavement either so they are useless over here.
One thing is for sure. No matter how bad this company will ever perform, it will never fall over.
@(Unverified) Lol.
You gonna be here all week? I'm getting my friends tickets to the rest of your shows!
@(Unverified) Brilliant.
@Colin S
You have a show?
@(Unverified)
You have a show?
OH NOES! The world of personal vehicular transportation will never be the same again!
WTF? wheels? its 2010
Where is my Matel Hover Board?
I remember there was nothing moreI wanted than a Segway a few years ago. And then I bought a car...
"What's more, while the deal is apparently being called a merger, the letter itself reportedly confirms that it's more of a complete buyout ..."
A little Business 101 for you. There is no such thing as a merger; that's all PR spin. Someone -always- gets bought.
@SuperRob What about the T-Mobile and Orange "merger" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8243226.stm both parent companies will continue to exist but their operations within the UK will be joint.
@d0mth0ma5
Joint venture...
This will force all Segway owners to drive on the left (actually the right / correct) side of the road or pavement / sidewalk.
Chaos ensues.
Rule Britannia.
(sings "white and nerdy" in an English accent)
Sweeeeet! could this mean that we will finally have Segways @ $999.99, the magic mind share number? (Kinda like the PS3 hitting that $299 price point). That would mean Segways for the masses (which would realize its original dream)! JWH, make that happen will ya...
I love segways but the price just never went where it would actually make sense.
Amusing, given that Segways are effectively illegal in the UK.
@Dom
With a bit of luck, David Cameron will be too.
@Dom Yep, was going to say the same thing but add that their illegal to drive on the sidewalk (pavement) and illegal to drive on the road. So, as Dom said, their effectively illegal. Wonder how many the UK distributor has sold??
@Dom Which sucks, but they do see some use. Can't remember where, but I've seen police use them. I've also seen them at a theme park, possibly Thorpe Park, and security use them at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, and there are probably other similar uses around the country. There's a small market, but I guess they just make them to order.
@plastik Theme parks are the only market, they are a cool novelty I guess. I saw one once in my state in the US, couldn't stop staring. I gave the driver a thumbs up for fun factor.
That's weird because you can count the number of Segways in the UK on the fingers of one stump.
I've been all over the world and seen them in the most unlikely of places (used for tourism) - but I've never seen a single one here.
It's a Woz plot to convert Prince Charles to Segway Polo.
"Segways are effectively illegal in the UK."
Hmm, I never knew that.
in all this time, I wonder how many of 'IT' has actually sold world wide?
@yrag
well.. Illegal on the public pavements and highway.. So essentially, unless you have private land to use them on, not much point. And lets be honest. Driving to your front gate and back gets a little boring.
@(Unverified) Or, unless you are the police.
@yrag I've seen several tours in Europe that use segways to move around. The tourists get to use Segways to move around in the city, so while they are learning about the local culture, they also have fun moving around on this new device.
Maybe they figure that with the dollar weakening they might sell better over there..esp. since the British seem to love small transport devices (at least that's the impression I get from UK media). Are they illegal indoors - parking garages, malls, etc? If not they might become the rich lazy person's best friend.
Segways are truly the answer to a transportation question absolutely no one was asking.*
*except for Dean Kamen.
@SFgadgetman
You call yourself a gadgetman?
Forget practicality and legality. Segways are cool gadgets.
You want one. Admit it.
I want one, even though I have no use for one.
@Gregorian
Have you ever even ridden one? I have and as far as coolness goes? They are not cool. Geeky? Yes, most definitely. Nerdy, 200% full of nerd win.
The price is what gets me. It's just too damn expensive. It's ridiculously priced. I don't know if it's overpriced but IMHO given the price it is an answer to a question NO ONE was asking except for Dean Kamen.
I will say a Segway is at the top of the nerd/geek's status symbol food chain.
who cares? No one wants to spend that much money on something that cost an arm and 2 legs.
So what sound does a Segway make?
@Gregorian
Is that if no one is around?
@Gregorian Ssssssssssdgetouttamywaaaaaay
@Colin S
You think that when they are locked away in a garage, they mumble neurotically to themselves? "No one loves me. All the other transport vehicles are laughing at me. What do they know? I've got GYROSCOPES"
"That's odd, usually these conventions have Segway parking."
I have found Segways way more useful in private businesses where the layout is huge. I've also used the Zappy which works just as well but is nowhere near as cool.
One of the reasons it has not sold well, is due to the fact that Google restricts which plan you can pick up from TMobile. I just went by their office today and the guy was like "we can't do anything about it, it is all up to google". Not to mention that existing TMobile customers have to pay more for the subsidize plan even if their previous contract has expired.
Another stupid thing that TMobil has is that with their new plans, if I want to pick Even More Plus now (the no contract one) because I have an existing phone that I want to use until something I like comes out, they said I will not be able to switch to Even More later (to enroll in a 2 year plan for subsidized phones). Never! Ever! Once on the Even More Plus you are stuck with it, even know it is a "no CONTRACT"! How can you call it a "no contract" if I can't switch to another plan? I want to switch to another TMobile plan, why can't I do it? Stupid carriers.
@enhacore
Errr....
@enhacore
Close, but you're way off
The better mousetrap without purpose lives. Again, why is the front wheel of a tricycle not necessary?
Whenever I see someone on a segway, I throw rocks at them. That'll larn 'em.
Dear Ginger,
Where is my world peace?
These things are downright dangerous. I considered them last month but decided to go with 2 Pedego Electric Bikes for many reasons. Pedegos...
1. cost much less.
2. have a seat
3. go faster
4. are safer
5. can go anywhere a bike can
6. provide the opportunity for some exercise
Check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUYFOGdUyyg
The possibility of a faceplants is THE biggest flaw with Segways