Personal mobility device manufacturer Ninebot Segway is terminating the production of its iconic two wheeler, The Economist reports, as a result of challenges in getting category acceptance from consumers. Ninebot has continued to develop Segway’s technology across a variety of mobility products, as flagged in Panjiva’s Jan. 7 research, leaving a continued need for a similar supply chain.

Panjiva’s data shows that U.S. seaborne imports linked to Ninebot and Segway have been largely unchanged in the 12 months to June 30 – in part due to COVID-19 related disruptions in the past six months – and led by shipments on industrial batteries. 

Chart segments U.S. seaborne imports linked to Ninebot Segway by product on a monthly and three-month average basis. Source: Panjiva

The latter have been subject to 25% tariffs under the section 301 program of tariffs on imports from China since Sept. 2018. There’s little chance of a change in those tariffs given the deteriorating state of relations between the U.S. and China as outlined in Panjiva’s Q3 Outlook. The firm nonetheless appears to have reoriented its supply chain somewhat with shipments from China dropping to 82.5% of the total in the 12 months to June 30 compared to 98.5% in 2018.

Chart segments U.S. seaborne imports linked to Ninebot Segway by origin on a monthly and three-month average basis. Source: Panjiva