Electric outboard manufacturer Temo enters US market
French electric outboard manufacturer Temo has appointed Defender Industries as its official US dealer.
The Nantes-based manufacturer, which is behind the portable, electric-powered Temo.450 outboard motor, says it has experienced great initial success in the domestic France market. Only three years after the launch of the Temo.450 engine, it says it has already delivered more than 3,000 electric motors all over Europe and is now looking towards rapid international expansion by tackling the North American market.
Connecticut-headquartered company Defender Industries has been appointed as the official US dealer, and the Temo.450 motor will be revealed at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October.
Temo entered the UK market after appointing Marine Components International (MCI) as the exclusive UK distributor last year.
Defender Industries supplies a wide range of high-end marine products. Defender managing director Stephan Lance said he is delighted to welcome Temo.450 to Defender’s portfolio.
“Since Defender began offering electric motors over ten years ago, the demand for clean, safe, and efficient propulsion has grown significantly,” he says. “The Temo.450 brings a new power option for small tenders and boats to the table. One that is lightweight stows easily, and is easy to operate.”
Temo.450 was a METSTRADE Connect 2020 DAME innovation winner, and also received the prestigious 2022 Pittman Innovation Awards in the USA. Designed for dinghies, tenders, and small boats, the portable system includes a 450W motor, 110V charger, rowlock fitting kit, and security device. It weighs just under 11lbs, has a propulsive power of 200W, and produces 12kg of maximum thrust from its motor.
Temo will showcase Temo.450 at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, one of the United States’ largest sailing festivals, which runs from October 13-17, 2022.
Company co-founder Alexandre Seux began working on the Temo concept after a round-the-world sailing trip where he witnessed problems surrounding the traditional methods of boat tender propulsion – heavy to transport and hard to store engines and oars, which require a great deal of physical effort.
Seux says: “Everyone at Temo is very excited to be working with Defender Industries, with their expertise in the US market, in sales, and the importing of tech products. We have big ambitions and know that American sailors and outdoor enthusiasts are passionate and concerned about climate change. We offer a carbon-free solution for dinghies and inland waters small craft and we are happy to be working with Defender to help them sail greener.”
Temo is currently working on a second electric-powered engine to expand its range, the Temo.1000, which will be available in Europe in 2023 and in the US from 2024. This is exciting and we are very much looking forward to equipping all small boats with our products.”
