Powersports Business back issues from June 2005:
Rod Lopusnak leaves Suzuki.(resignation)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Rod Lopusnak has left American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC). to take a marketing position with AMA Pro Racing. Lopusnak served as marketing manager for ATVs and motorcycles at Suzuki. He was honored by Powersports Business magazine last year with a Powersports Leadership Award for ...
KTM warns of gray market.(HOTNEWS)(KTM North America Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... KTM North America, Inc., says it has discovered that motorcycles manufactured by KTM Sportmotorcycles of Austria have been imported from Europe directly by private individuals. KTM North America, Inc. is the exclusive North American distributor of KTM Sportmotorcycles, and only ...
Ehlert acquires powerboat magazine.(acquisitions)(Powersports Business magazine)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Ehlert Publishing Group, Inc., Maple Grove, Minn., owner of Powersports Business magazine has acquired Powerboat magazine, the world's leading performance boating publication. The announcement was made by Steve Hedlund, president of Ehlert, and Jerry Nordskog, owner and ...
Taipei show draws 5,033 foreigners.(Taipei International Auto/Motorcycle Parts and Accessories )(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... The 2005 Taipei International Auto/Motorcycle Parts & Accessories Show ended its four-day run May 16 at the Taiwan World Trade Center after attracting 5,033 foreign buyers and 29,427 domestic visitors, according to the Taiwan External Trade and Development ...
China's 1Q output: 3.48 million cycles.(production data of motorcycles)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... China's motorcycle output during the first three months of the year reached 3,484,100 units, down 1.4% from output for the same period last year. Manufacturers produced 1,164,200 units in January; 2,246,800 units in ...
BRP honors designer.(Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) in association with the Institute of Design Montreal (IDM) has honored Douglas Ball, a Quebec industrial designer who influenced the future of the companies he worked for because of the products he created. BRP said Ball transformed the work ...
Motorcyclists now ride two-up in Japan.(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Motorcyclists in Japan now can ride tandem on expressways, following a new law that went into effect April 1. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), a long-time proponent of motorcycle rights, says it is launching an extensive campaign to bolster safe riding practices. The ...
Canadian ATV consumer show planned.(All terrain vehicles)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Although dates have yet to be announced, a new ATV expo is in the works in Fenwick, Ontario. Stephen and Henry Bieda, of Bieda Powersports, said they plan to host an outdoor expo at their 88 acre powersports park. The site, owned by Bieda Powersports, has been host to ...
Minnesota governor hits the ATV trails.(HOTNEWS)(All-Terrain Vehicle)(All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota )(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty got down and dirty at the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) spring convention at Park X in Hill City, Minn., in early May. The annual event attracts ATVAM officers, members and others for a weekend of riding and taking care of ...
CCI picks up TP products.(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Custom Chrome, a unit of Global Motorsport Group, Inc. (GMG), Morgan Hill, Calif., now offers engines and products from TP Engineering. "We now have the most complete drivetrain offering in the industry with TP, S & S and Revtech products available from one source," said John ...
PWC tour adds event.(HOTNEWS)
Jun 06, 2005 ... An event called the Co-Ed Ski Challenge has been added to the 2005 Monster Energy Midwest Tour, a series of personal watercraft events. The Co-Ed Ski Challenge is a stand-up race consisting of teams of one male ...
Rolling Thunder.(veterans ceremonies)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Hundreds of thousands of American war veterans biked through Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day weekend. The 18th annual event was organized by Rolling Thunder, a non-profit group established to commemorate veterans who died in America's wars and others who are still missing from recent ...
Investors sue Harley-Davidson over stock market activity.
Jun 06, 2005 ... Several class action lawsuits have been filed against Harley-Davidson Inc. and two of its officers alleging securities violations and false and misleading accounting practices that caused the stock of Harley-Davidson to be inflated. The lawsuits claim that former CEO Jeffrey ...
Snowmobile sales decline 7% for 2004 season: U.S. market off 8%, Canada off 4.5%, PG & A sales up 15%.(Editorial)
Jun 06, 2005; ... EDITOR'S NOTE: During April, Power Products Marketing conducted a survey on behalf of Powersports Business among 150 snowmobile dealers across the Northern United States and Canada. These 150 dealers collectively accounted for nearly 7,500 snowmobiles sold during the 2005 season, which is ...
Suzuki, Kawasaki to reduce alliance sales.
Jun 06, 2005 ... Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and Suzuki Motor Corporation have altered a business relationship the two companies formed in August 2001 to help in parts sourcing, platform production of OEM units, and joint development of new products. Kawasaki and Suzuki say the ...
Ducati signs $ 128.7 million financing deal.
Jun 06, 2005 ... Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. says it signed a loan for Euro 100 million ($127.81 million) on May 9 that was, in part, used to pay a bond which matured May 31. The financing agreement, organized by Unicredit Banca Mobiliare, was funded by Unicredit Banca d'Impresa, Banca Intesa, ...
Women make up growing part of motorcyclists: 4.3 million riders.
Jun 06, 2005; ... You've probably heard or read the latest statistic on women riders, that women represent 10% of all motorcyclists. That's 1 out of 10 riders, or another way to slice it: 4.3 million of the 23.5 million people in the United States who operate a motorcycle are female. And the ...
Our changing distribution channel.(Editorial)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Guido Ebert, managing editor of Powersports Business magazine has put together two reports in this issue describing changes in the way some products are sold to consumers. You can read the stories on Page 32. One story explains how O'Neal Distributing has begun selling products ...
Cycle Country 2Q revenue drops 47.8%.(company sales and earnings)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Cycle Country Accessories Corporation, Milford, Iowa, says revenue for its second quarter ended March 31, 2005, was $2,809,226, a decrease of 47.8% from revenue of $5,381, 420 for the same period last year. The company says sales to U.S. distributors and OEMs dropped 52.7% from similar ...
Goldsmith named President and CEO of Coats Intl. Ltd.(appointment)(Chief Executive Officers)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Coates International Ltd. (CIL) announced the appointment of Mark D. Goldsmith as President and CEO of Coates Motorcycle Company Ltd. In the securities business for 40 years, Goldsmith began his career at Frederick S. Todman & Co. He was vice president of MKI Securities Inc.; ...
Arctic Cat sales up, earnings slip.(company sales and earnings)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Arctic Cat Inc., Thief River Falls, Minn., says net earnings for its fourth quarter ended March 31, 2005, were $2.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the prior-year fourth quarter. Sales for the quarter were $157.0 ...
Piaggio cuts losses in 1Q.(company sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Piaggio & Co. SpA reported a net loss of Euro 16.7 million ($21.02 million) for the first quarter of 2005, an improvement compared to a net loss of nearly Euro 25 million ($31.46 million) registered for the comparable three months of 2004. In 2004, the Piaggio Group reported ...
Powersports tool suppliers: from the backwoods trail to the backroom service department, tools keep the industry turning.
Jun 06, 2005 ... Keeping engines running often plays a big role in keeping a dealership's cash register running. But, to do that, you need the appropriate tools. Tools for the dealership's service department and tools for the dealership's showfloor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this ...
Powersports tools 2005: product for the trail, garage, service department and showfloor.
Jun 06, 2005 ... CRUZTOOLS, INC. P.O. Box 250 Standard, Calif. 95373 888/909-8665 www.cruztools.com CruzTOOLS was founded in 1996. Since then, the company has grown to offer tools and tool kits for virtually all makes and models of motorcycles, ...
New Quadmasters event begins.
Jun 06, 2005; ... A new ATV challenge tour began its inaugural season in May. The Quadmasters National ATV Challenge Tour is open to anyone who wishes to test their ATV riding skills against specific courses that are designed to challenge a rider's skill. Riders are timed on the courses and gain points ...
Carter Brothers recalls 9,000 Fun-Karts.(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Carter Brothers Manufacturing Co. Inc., Brundidge, Ala., is recalling approximately 9,000 units of its Carter Brothers Fun-Kart off-road go-kart. Carter says the wheel could separate from the go-kart, posing a rollover hazard. No injuries have been reported. The recall includes ...
BRP unveils new Outlander 800.(ATV)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Change is in the air for the 2006 ATVs from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). In addition to the changes and additions to the Valcourt, Quebec, based manufacturer's line up, the company is shifting its approach to the market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While BRP's ...
Polaris offers interactive ATV sales tool.(all terrain vehicles)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Positioned in 200 dealerships selling Polaris' ATV product, the Polaris ATV Experience Center is a new interactive merchandising display the company says serves as a focal point in dealerships to help drive brand ATV and ATV accessory sales. The unit comes in two parts. One half ...
Profile Motorsports Plus LLC.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
Jun 06, 2005; ... CONTACT 489 Main Street Gorham, NH 03581 603/752-5000 www.profilemotorsports.com OWNERS A Corporation BUSINESS PROFILE Founded in 2001 at the present location. Carries Arctic Cat snowmobiles and ...
AMA publication deals with cycle sound levels.(Cycle Update)(American Motorcyclist Association)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) held its second National Summit on Motorcycle Sound on May 14 in Columbus, Ohio. The organization recently published its recommendations for addressing the issue. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The recommendations, released as a ...
Big concerns about minis.(Cycle Update)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... As powered scooters and mini-sized motorcycles (pocket bikes) grow in popularity, more cities and states are moving to ban or regulate their use on public property. In some states, the law prohibits anyone without a driver's license from operating a motorized vehicle of any kind. Trouble ...
Harley-Davidson enters Russia.(Cycle Update)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Harley-Davidson, Inc., opened its first dealer-ship in Russia last month. The store is located in Moscow's Kutuzovsky ...
Brock new executive director of GWRRA.(Gold Wing Road Riders Association)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Donal E. Brock was named executive director of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association effective May 16, 2005. Brock will move to Phoenix, Ariz., from his current home in Richland, Wash. Don and his wife Cindy have been members of GWRRA since May 1988. He has served as National ...
Ducati perfume?(Cycle Update)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Ducati has partnered with Ermenegildo Zegna's new Z Zegna fragrance in a marketing deal where a Ducati Black Monster plays a leading role. Taking the collaboration one step further, the firms will be co-sponsoring the 2005 annual edition of the Centopassi Challenge. Centopassi will run ...
Yamaha introduces STAR initiative.(MOTORCYCLE)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., Cypress, Calif., is revising the way it markets its cruiser motorcycles. The first step in the recently announced process featured the introduction of a new brand name. Yamaha's cruiser bikes now all fall within the company's Star motorcycles brand. ...
Kawasaki bolsters marketing effort.(MOTORCYCLE)
Jun 06, 2005; ... With a new website, new owner's club, increased mainstream advertising, and revamped sales and marketing departments, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC USA) appears to be working to re-energize in the U.S. powersports market. KMC USA firmly established itself in the powersports ...
Trenton World-Class Harley-Davidson.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
Jun 06, 2005; ... CONTACT 960 U.S. Highway 130 and Interstate 95 Hamilton, NJ 08691 609/689-0200 www.trentonworldclassharley.com OWNER Harry Divins BUSINESS PROFILE 23,991-sq.-ft. dealership founded in 2001. Carries ...
Crossroads Motorsports.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
Jun 06, 2005; ... CONTACT 5375 William Flynn Highway Gibsonia, PA 15044 724/444-6555 www.xroadsmotorsports.com OWNERS Joe Marnell and Silent Partners BUSINESS PROFILE 24,000-sq.-ft. interior plus 4,000-sq.-ft. gated ...
NPS battle heads to Capitol Hill.(National Park Service)
Jun 06, 2005; ... The battle for National Park access is once again heating up, and this time the bulls eye is squarely on those areas that have yet to indicate if they will allow the return of PWC before summer's busy boating season. In a recent hearing called by Representative Devin Nunes ...
Wildwood Sea-Doo.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
Jun 06, 2005; ... CONTACT 501 Ocean Drive North Wildwood, NJ 08260 609/523-0033 www.boattraderonline.com/dealer.html? 873944 OWNER Joe Grace BUSINESS PROFILE 7,926-sq.-ft. dealership founded in 1999 at ...
World Snowmobile Association to run under new ownership.(World Snowmobile Association)(World PowerSports Inc. )
Jun 06, 2005; ... The World Snowmobile Association (WSA) is expected to be acquired within 30 to 60 days by a new company called World PowerSports, Inc. (WPS). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An incoming executive who asked to remain anonymous told Powersports Business three companies will ...
Hygear Motorcycle Works gets special permit.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... An aftermarket performance company using a test track for snowmobile suspension development, and unknowingly operating outside the law, recently received a special use permit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A half-acre test track at Hygear Motorcycle Works in Lansing, Mich., ...
C & A Pro lawsuit settled.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Pride Solutions, LLC, the manufacturer and supplier of C & A Ultra Pro skis for snowmobiles, has officially licensed the rights to the C & A PRO trademark and the associated patents from C & A PRO LLC. The disagreements over patent and trade-mark issues have kept many racers ...
Hetteen honored for lifetime of success.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Edgar Hetteen, founder of Polaris Industries and Arctic Cat, was honored for a lifetime of successful entrepreneurship at the 13th annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards luncheon on May 18 in Duluth, Minn. Called "the grandfather of snowmobiling" by those ...
O'Neal Distributing supplies Pep Boys.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Pep Boys, the $2.2 billion automotive parts retailer operating 593 retail locations across the country, now carries product from O'Neal Distributing, Inc., the California-based supplier of powersports apparel and accessories also doing business as O'Neal USA. While prototypical ...
Tucker Rocky drops Summit Racing.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Meanhile, another major distributor has chosen to take a different approach to a similar company. Tucker Rocky Distributing, Fort Worth, Texas, said it moved aggressively to end a brief product supply relationship with mail-order giant Summit Racing once it realized Summit ...
Tenneco moving H-D exhaust biz.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Tenneco Automotive, Lake Forest, Ill., intends to move its muffler and exhaust system operations supplying Harley-Davidson from a facility in Salinas, Calif., to its Seward and Lincoln, Nebraska facilities. The proposed move would take place over the next 15 months and impact roughly 190 ...
The 4 P's that lead to better dealership profits.(Dealer Checkup)
Jun 06, 2005; ... After analyzing hundreds of dealerships through the 20-group experience, it has become clear to me that there are some basic, fundamental characteristics that exist in ALL the most successful dealerships--the ones I call "Top Guns." These characteristics are not only ...
LeMans Corporation expands representation.(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... LeMans Corp., the Wisconsin-based owner of distribution giants Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, announced a number of recent additions to its employee base. Dan Berkes has been named Parts Unlimited's DynoJet Product Specialist. Berkes spent four years with a Harley ...
Dealer profit jumps in April.(Top Guns)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Overall dealer profitability, as measured by Top Gun dealers nationwide, jumped in April to 9.1%, up from 6.6% in March. Overall net profit for the year through April was 6.7%, a nice improvement over the 4.7% YTD figure recorded in the first three months of the year and the 6.3% last ...
Dowco Rally Pack Deluxe.(HOT PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Specifications -- Dowco's new Rally Pack Deluxe Series offers additional features not found in the Value Series. DOWCO's patent-pending Color Match System allows riders to match their luggage to the color of their sport bikes by inserting a color swatch card into an interior pocket that ...
Scooterworks' 2005 catalog.(HOT PRODUCTS)(Scooterworks USA)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Specifications -- The fifth edition of Scooterworks USA's print catalog features 92 color pages packed with products, history and humor. Scooterworks USA retails parts and accessories for vintage and new scooters. It specializes in hard-to-find Vespa product. The company supplements its ...
Lockhart Phillips 2005 catalog.(HOT PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Specifications -- New 432-page color catalog. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Benefits -- Lists a wide range of sportbike-oriented items. ...
Motonation Way te-por.(HOT PRODUCTS)(Buyers Guide)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Specifications -- All new for 2005, the Way te-por offers Sidi's exclusive te-por is available in black from size 6 to 13, 40 to 48 Euro. Features a Lorica outer and a soft, knitted internal lining for maximum comfort against the riders skin. Also, an internal Malleolus, heel and toe ...
Fury Helmet by Simpson.(HOT PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
Jun 06, 2005 ... Specifications -- Available in white, black, silver graphic, red graphic, or blue graphic in a full size range from XS through XXL. Benefits -- Lightweight carbon, Kevlar and fiberglass composite shell, plush, fully removable and washable liner, forehead, chin and ...
Effective trainers share key qualities.(Sales Management)(Editorial)
Jun 06, 2005; ... Editor's note: This is part seven in a series of articles about training your sales staff to achieve optimum performance. Active learning, rather than passive, is the method preferred by effective trainers. It takes people who think they are there just to watch and it gets them ...
Motorcycle health care bill introduced.(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
Jun 27, 2005 ... A bipartisan bill to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists and ATV enthusiasts has been introduced in the U.S. House. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio) introduced H.R. 2793--"The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act," ...
Slavik retires from Honda.(HOTNEWS)(Paul Slavik)(Brief Article)
Jun 27, 2005 ... Paul Slavik, a 29-year employee of California-based American Honda, has retired from his position as the manufacturer's OHV coordinator. Slavik joined American Honda in 1976 as a senior customer service representative. After holding a variety of positions with Honda, Slavik ...
Training planned for BRP's 2-up ATVs.(Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jun 27, 2005 ... Customers of two-up ATVs built by Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. (BRP) will qualify for the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) rider training courses in July. The SVIA says its ATV Rider Training Certificate and Owner Registration course--dubbed the ATV ...
Operator error cause scooter injuries.(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
Jun 27, 2005 ... The result of a year-long study, released June 14 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has found there were an estimated 10,000 emergency room injuries involving powered scooters from July 2003 through June 2004, the first year for which there is reliable data. ...
Proton launches web-based system.(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
Jun 27, 2005 ... Malaysia-based Proton Holdings Bhd. has implemented a web-based product data management (PDM) system linking all of the company's domestic and international interests into one network and providing real-time design and engineering data to its 1,500 engineers and designers worldwide. ...
Yamaha pays employees for "eco-commuting".(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
Jun 27, 2005 ... Japan's Yamaha Motor Co. has introduced a program through which it pays its employees for commuting in ecologically friendly ways. Last December, the company started giving financial assistance to its commuting employees who purchased Yamaha motorcycles or rented ...
Clarification.(Correction Notice)
Jun 27, 2005 ... A chart that ran in the June 6 issue contained incorrect information. The correct chart is shown below. <Pre> Percentage of the Company's New Motorcycles ...
Yamaha celebrates Big 50.
Jun 27, 2005 ... LAS VEGAS -- Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, celebrated its 50th Anniversary here with the largest dealer party in its history. The show included close to 50 historic motorcycles and ATVs, a lineup of past racing champions and several new models. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But ...
YTD adult ATV sales climb 1%: field inventories climb above historical levels.(year to date all terrain vehicles)
Jun 27, 2005; ... EDITOR'S NOTE: During early June, Power Products Marketing conducted a survey on behalf of Powersports Business among 150 ATV dealers across the U.S. These dealers collectively sold over 24,000 ATVs through May, about 8-9% of the actual market, which would qualify as a good sample size ....