Powersports Business back issues from September 2006:
Benefit cost increases: it's enough to make you sick; Here's how dealers are coping with, according to a national survey, one of their biggest concerns: rising benefit costs.(NEWS)
Sep 04, 2006; ... While much has been written about competition from big box retailers, the flow of low-priced goods from Asia and the ability of the Internet to constantly create additional competitors, a top area of concern cited by powersports dealers responding to a national survey was the rising cost ...
Cross wants KTM share buy-back.(HOTNEWS)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Austrian investment company Cross Industries AG wants to buy back a portion of the shares of KTM Power Sports AG bought by Polaris Industries' Austrian subsidiary in 2005. "We have agreed on an option that will allow us to buy back shares from Polaris in October 2007," Cross ...
New York joins 'Justice for All'.(American Motorcyclist Association)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006 ... New York has enacted a law supporting the goals of the American Motorcyclist Association's "Justice for All" campaign. New York AB-4914, signed into law by Gov. George Pataki on Aug. 16, authorizes mandatory revocation and suspension of licenses and registrations when a motorist ...
New Snell board member.(Snell Memorial Foundation appoints Dr. Thomas Gennarelli)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006 ... The Snell Memorial Foundation's Board of Directors recently announced a new member, Dr. Thomas Gennarelli. Dr. Gennarelli, a clinician and researcher in the field of ...
ORBA V.P. testifies.(Off-Road Business Association's Jim McGarvie)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Appearing at the invitation of Congressman Richard Pombo, chairman of the House Committee on Resources, Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) Vice President Jim McGarvie recently testified at a field hearing on "the importance of border security on federal lands." McGarvie ...
Rucker adds national sales REP.(HOTNEWS)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Rucker Performance, Fort Worth, Texas, named former American IronHorse Motor Company employee Jason Meyer as national sales representative. Meyer's new position ...
Motorcycle stamps introduced.(HOTNEWS)
Sep 04, 2006 ... The first of 85 million classic "American Motorcycles" commemorative stamps were revealed Aug. 7 at the 66th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The stamps became available for purchase last month. The 1918 Cleveland, 1940 Indian Four and 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide that modeled ...
Eaglerider opens new location in Florida.(HOTNEWS)
Sep 04, 2006 ... EagleRider plans to open a new location in Madeira Beach, Fla., between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The founders of the new EagleRider franchise are Terry Frober and Jerry Leach. "This is such an ideal place to ride a Harley-Davidson," said John Leach, general manager ....
Bush visits Harley plant.(HOTNEWS)
Sep 04, 2006 ... President Bush stopped at Harley-Davidson's manufacturing plant in York, Penn., on Aug. 16 to take a tour of the facility and participate in a roundtable on the economy. The ...
Kawasaki teams up with Cabela's: five Cabela's will become "full-service" dealerships.
Sep 04, 2006; ... Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA plans to sell ATVs, Mule utility vehicles and associated parts and accessories at select Cabela's stores. The two companies recently entered into an agreement making five Cabela's showrooms "authorized full-service" Kawasaki dealerships, offering ...
ATV sales: numbers might be misleading; The MIC sales decrease may not be a true sign of the industry's health, industry officials say.
Sep 04, 2006; ... The fact that sales of ATVs sold by major manufacturers were down in 2005 is indisputable. What it means for the industry is anything but. Data from the companies reporting to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) showed a 4 percent decline in sales in 2005 (for more on the ...
UTVs take some of ATV's thunder: dealers believe more ATV sales are being lost to the UTV buyer, national survey finds.
Sep 04, 2006 ... Dealers from across the nation are noticing a bigger impact from utility vehicles (UTVs) on ATV sales, which appear to be down slightly or at best flat this year. That's one of the findings of a national survey of 150 dealers conducted by Powersports Business magazine. Other key ...
New form of trail access helps ATV/UTV & mini-quad sales: company sells access pass to private trails.
Sep 04, 2006 ... Ask Chris Connelly about his business, TrailPass. "The concept of it is not hard to get," he said. ATVers go to their local dealer and spend $75 for a pass that gives them access to private trails in 11 states, with more to come in six more states. Based on a similar program for ...
The MIC numbers: traditional U.S. ATV market slows.
Sep 04, 2006 ... Depending on one's perspective, the ATV market in the United States is either accelerating or slowing down. For dealerships and traditional OEMs, the latter could be a popular perception as Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) data on sales of new ATVs in the United States dipped ...
Firms team up for dealer services: RPM Group and Dealership University will work together on two projects.
Sep 04, 2006; ... Two companies are working together to provide dealers easier access to training opportunities and a new approach at hiring salespeople. RPM Group, the largest 20 Group company in the industry, and Dealership University (DU), a training company, recently agreed to partner on the ...
Q & A with Ducati's CEO.(Federico Minoli)(Interview)
Sep 04, 2006; ... SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Federico Minoli, Ducati's chairman and CEO, sat down with Powersports Business to talk about events of the past year, including the Italian company's new owners and what steps the company will take to become more profitable in the coming years. ...
'We're placing our bets on U.S. market': Ducati execs anticipate big 2007 with new product and dealer programs.(NEWS)
Sep 04, 2006; ... SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Two CEOs, normally separated by thousands of miles, stood side-by-side, merely inches away from it. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A few feet away stood almost 90 percent of the 160-plus Ducati North America dealer network, giving it, and the two ...
Ducati opts out of superbike series for 2007.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006 ... SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Ducati North America will cease having a factory team in the AMA Superbike Championship at the end of this season, the company announced during its national dealer meeting. The decision will be re-examined in the coming year, officials said. ...
The big box factor on overzealous regulations.(OPINION)
Sep 04, 2006; ... The continuing presence of powersports vehicles in big box retail locations is largely a divisive issue in this industry. The issue surfaced again recently when Cabela's announced the addition of Kawasaki ATVs to some of its U.S. stores. Cabela's joins the ranks of Bass Pro ...
KHI: consumer products a 'core' business.(FINANCIAL)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Tadaharu Ohashi, president of Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI), says the company's consumer products division has been selected as a "core" business deserving increased investment. KHI's businesses include shipbuilding, plant and infrastructure engineering, ...
H-D turns to 'HOG' on NYSE.(DIGEST)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Harley-Davidson, Inc. is getting a new ticker symbol: HOG. The U.S. producer of heavy-weight motorcycles, whose products have long been known as "hogs," changed its New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol from HDI ...
Fairchild Corp. fields offer to go private.(DIGEST)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Powersports apparel and accessories supplier Fairchild Corporation, McLean, Va., has received a $68 million acquisition offer that would take the company private. Fairchild, which also operates in the aerospace industry, said the offer came from Delaware-based FA Holdings LLC, a ...
UTI announces senior executive promotion.(DIGEST)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a provider of technical education training, announced the promotion of Sherrell Smith to senior vice president of operations, responsible for all campus operations and educational services. UTI offers services as Universal Technical Institute ...
Arkona revenue up, income down.(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Arkona, Inc., a Salt Lake City-based supplier of business management solutions to power-sports dealerships, said revenue for its first quarter ended June 30 was $2.97 million, up from $2.52 million during the same three-month period in ...
Patriot signs with Textron, approved by GEICO.(DIGEST)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Patriot Motor Corporation, parent company of Patriot Motorcycle Corporation, has established a dealer-flooring program with the financial division of Textron, Inc., for its Steed brand of ...
Market watch.(POWERSPORTS BUSINESS STOCK MARKET WATCH)
Sep 04, 2006 ... <Pre> MARKET WATCH Change 8/17/06 from 7/28 % Change Powersports Business Index [up arrow] 108.989 1.172 0.01% ...
Stock market activity.(POWERSPORTS BUSINESS STOCK MARKET WATCH)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Source. A.G. Edwards & Sons, ...
Powersports Business winners and losers.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006 ... <Pre> POWERSPORTS BUSINESS WINNERS AND LOSERS Stock Price Percent CompanyTicker 08/17/06 Change Featherlite, Inc. FTHR $6.33 47.9% Fairchild Corp.FA $2.61 25.5% Ducati ...
Foreign currency exchange.(POWERSPORTS BUSINESS STOCK MARKET WATCH)
Sep 04, 2006 ... <Pre> FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE Baseline 8/17/06 1 Month Ago 6 Months AgoTickerPrice Price % Change Price Australian Dollar ad.fx 1.31 1.34 1.9% 1.35 British Pound bp.fx 0.53 ...
Powersports Business stocks.(Statistical table)
Sep 04, 2006 ... <Pre> POWERSPORTS BUSINESS STOCKS POWERSPORTS BUSINESS INDEX COMPONENTS Stock Price Price CompanyTicker 8/17/06 07/17/06 Arctic Cat, Inc. ACAT$18.47 $16.57 ASV, Inc. ...
JAMA: 37.26 million units sold in 2005.(Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) says nearly 40 million two-wheelers were produced and approximately 37.26 million two-wheelers were sold worldwide in 2005. According to JAMA, global motorcycle production reached nearly 40 million units in 2005, up from 30 ...
Germany's cycle sales drop 24 percent in June.(FINANCIAL)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Motorcycle sales in Germany in June totaled 18,674 units, down 24 percent from 24,600 units retailed in June 2005, according to the Federal Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Drivers (KBA). The organization said sales for the six months ended June 30 totaled 106,146 units, down 7 ...
U.K. two-wheeler sales down 8 percent in June.(Motor Cycle Industry Association reports )(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Two-wheeler sales in the United Kingdom in June totaled 14,227 units, down 8 percent from the 15,525 units retailed in June 2005, according to trade group Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI). While motorcycle sales dropped 5 percent to 10,576 units, scooter sales plummeted 17 percent to ...
Italy's two-wheeler sales down 6.7 percent in July.(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Sales of two-wheelers in Italy in July dropped 6.7 percent or 7,000 units compared to sales in July 2005, according to motorcycle association Confindustria ANCMA. While motorcycle sales slid a mere 0.8 percent, scooter sales dropped 9.2 percent. ANCMA says 339,495 ...
New two-wheeler sales in Taiwan down 9.3 percent in July.(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Sales of two-wheelers in Taiwan in July dropped 9.3 percent compared to sales in July 2005. China's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) says economic factors negatively influenced consumer financing, which in turn played a large role in dropping sales to 67,736 ...
Brazil production: 804,198 units in seven months.(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Brazil's motorcycle manufacturers produced 804,198 units from January through July, a 17.5 percent increase from the 684,653 units built during the same seven-month period in 2005. Brazil, the fifth largest motorcycle market in the world, has four main motorcycle companies ...
Expectations differ on coming season.(snowmobiles market )
Sep 04, 2006; ... After years of declining sales, snowmobile OEMs have set their sights a little lower this year as they hope to maintain market share. Fall programs set the stage for snowmobile sales as dealers gear up for the season and buyers in the northern climes say goodbye to summer and begin ...
Women's sled fashion evolves.(PSB FOCUS: Snowmobiles)
Sep 04, 2006; ... For decades, the bibs drop seat was the lone concession to women's snowmobile clothing. Other than that decidedly unfashionable device, women were all but ignored, left to purchase men's small sizes or cut-down garments repackaged for women. Color choices also were lacking. Besides the ...
OEMs find snow, and sales, in Europe, Russia.(PSB FOCUS: Snowmobiles)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Worldwide snowmobile sales remain gloomy, but growing demand in Russia and Scandinavia offers a sprinkling of sunshine amid the bad news. For the 2005-2006 selling season, worldwide snowmobile sales dipped 5 percent to 164,860 units, according to the International Snowmobile ...
Can renting sleds build sales in U.S.?
Sep 04, 2006; ... New snowmobile sales were down again in 2005-'06. At this point, that's not exactly ground-breaking information. So how can the industry start moving units? One possible idea is to introduce potential first-time buyers to the sport through rentals. According to a study ...
Altimate Energy.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... The new lace-up Energy boot from Altimate features a three-color TPR sole, heat reflecting Mylar shell, Nubuck pvc upper with comfort cuff, snowproof membrane, Hi tech 8 inner component liner with web handle for easy ...
Castle Ladies Switch.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... The 2007 Ladies Switch Jacket features 420D high tenacity nylon shell. REISSA Waterproof/Breathable. 2.5oz Thermolite Active Insulate shell, 2.5oz Thermolite Active Removable Liner. YKK Waterproof main zip. Zippered chest, under-arm ...
K & N Engineering, Inc.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... K & N's selection of Universal High-Flow Clamp-On Filters are ideal for any Extreme Snowmobiler, Snow-Crosser or Grass Drag Racer. Combine this with the use of a K & N ...
Woody's Grip Kit.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Woody's Traction and Control Products' new Grip Kit is pre-packaged and contains the exact amount of 5/16" studs, the accurate amount of aluminum Round Digger and/or Double Digger support plates, nuts, a track marker and a track drill. Kits are available in quantities of 96 and 144 for 15" ...
PowerMadd Handguard Gauntlet.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... PowerMadd's Handguard Gauntlet provides complete, yet safe, protection for your hands from the cold, rain, mud, and snow. The design utilizes the handguard for support which allows the gauntlet to remain in an open position. This gives the rider full view of their controls and makes it ...
HMK Cruiser 2 Women's boot.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... HMK will donate 5 percent of each Cruiser 2 Women's boot sales to Pink Ribbon Riders to help spread awareness and prevention of breast cancer. Made with all-weather water-resistant TPU construction, a synthetic leather and textile shell, the Cruiser 2 features, 400 grams Thinsulate ...
Arctiva women's Tempest jacket.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... With a suggested retail price of $200, the three in one Tempest jacket features a removable insulated inner jacket that can be worn as a jacket by itself. Outer shell portion is waterproof/breathable/windproof, made of mini rip-stop nylon with Dynax ballistic nylon overlays in critical ...
Caliber Grip Glides.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Caliber, the designer and manufacturer of trailer accessories including Trax Mat, Multi Glides and Flex Glides, has a new innovation: Trailer Ramp Grip Glides. Caliber Grip Glides deliver a friction-free glide surface for open-frame ramps on flatbed ...
ORBA adds 21 members.(Off-Road Business Association)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Twenty-one companies recently joined the Off-Road Business Association, a trade group composed of off-road related businesses united to promote common goals that support the prosperity and growth of the off-road industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New members include ...
BlueRibbon annual meeting slated for Sept. 23.(BlueRibbon Coalition)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... The BlueRibbon Coalition's Board of Directors plan to consider proposed amendments to the organization's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws during a meeting Sept. 23 in Pocatello, Idaho. The fall board meeting includes a schedule to review various BRC programs in response to ...
Chinese rivals shape Taiwan's ATV offerings.(ATV Report)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Taiwan's major ATV manufacturers say the pricing of small displacement quads built in mainland China has been a force fueling the island nation's producers into developing larger displacement models. Representatives of Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), Sanyang Industry Co., ...
Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S., round 2.(Polaris Industries Inc.'s Trail Development, Responsible Riding, Access, Initiatives, Lobbying and Safety)(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Polaris Industries recently offered $125,871 to 13 organizations in 12 states as part of the company's T.R.A.I.L.S. grant program. T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for: Trail Development, Responsible Riding, Access, Initiatives, Lobbying and Safety. Launched in January, the T.R.A.I.L.S ....
Florida updates ATV laws.(ATV Report)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Laws are about to change for ATV riders in Florida. At the moment, ATVs are banned on Florida's roads, but come Oct. 1, a new statute will allow them on unpaved public roads where the speed limit is less than 35 mph. The statute has restrictions: ATVs may be driven on ...
A controversial ATV proposal: some dealers think one of the proposed ATV regulation changes is unfair.
Sep 04, 2006; ... The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has proposed changes to federal ATV safety and manufacturing standards. One of these controversial changes requires consumers to sign a document at the point of sale acknowledging the potential safety risks for children under the age of 16. ...
Pro Power.(World of Powersports Inc.'s Matthew and Mark Jackson)(Interview)
Sep 04, 2006 ... CONTACT World of Powersports, Inc. 2635 N. 22nd Street Decatur, III. 800/432-8937 www.worldofpowersports.com OWNERS Matthew and Mark Jackson BUSINESS PROFILE With more than 75 employees, ...
Pro Power.(Pro Italia Motorcycles)
Sep 04, 2006 ... CONTACT Pro Italia Motorcycles Pro Italia Los Angeles 3319 North Verdugo Road Glendale, Calif. 818-249-5707 Pro Italia Santa Barbara 320 West Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, Calif. ...
WyoTech celebrates new facility.(Cycle Report)
Sep 04, 2006; ... A number of representatives of the powersports industry in Southern California stopped by WyoTech Fremont on Aug. 19 for an open house celebrating the educational institution's new state-of-the-art motorcycle technology training facility. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...
Griffith Park Sidecar Rally scheduled for Oct. 22.(Brief article)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Learn all about sidecars and see some of the most unusual hacks in the world at the 35th annual Griffith Park Sidecar Rally, scheduled for Oct. 22 at Crystal Springs Picnic Area in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. ...
Team Sheriff rides Honda.(Cycle Report)
Sep 04, 2006; ... American Honda donated two Honda CBR600RR motorcycles to L. A. County based Team Sheriff Racing, Inc., a unique law enforcement outreach program designed to provide youth and adult motorcycle riders with alternatives to unlicensed motorcycle operation and illegal street racing. ...
Cycle Barn sets speed record with ZX-14.(Cycle Report)
Sep 04, 2006; ... The Lynwood Cycle Barn in Lynwood, Wash., has a new way to increase store traffic--a world record-setting motorcycle. The Cycle Barn MotorSports Group, in cooperation with Faulkner-Livingston, recently set a world record for the fastest production motorcycle when rider Paul ...
Florida cycle theft gang nabbed.(Cycle Report)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Motorcycle retailers and riders in South Florida can feel a bit more secure when parking their bikes in public following recent arrests in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. A year-long investigation into a motorcycle theft ring ended August 12 with raids at six locations, the ...
A change at the top for AIH: former CEO Garland expects his successor to continue dealer buildup.(MOTORCYCLE)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Wil Garland's two-year reign as American IronHorse (AIH) CEO ended with an offer that was "too good to turn down," the AIH executive said in an interview with Powersports Business. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Garland was slated to leave the Texas-based custom bike builder ...
H-D donates $1 million, offers special models.(MOTORCYCLE)
Sep 04, 2006; ... Harley-Davidson presented the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) a $1 million donation in support of the services provided to America's veterans. The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. presented the funds Aug. 15 at DAV's national convention in Chicago. DAV was founded ...
MIC, AMA: EPA regulations positive for industry; Recent 'Letter of Guidance' clarifies federal position.(MOTORCYCLE)
Sep 04, 2006; ... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted an on-highway motorcycle engine emissions certification option that allows a small volume manufacturer, custom builder, assembler or individual to purchase and install an engine that has already been EPA-certified in another ...
Snell updates M2005 list.(Snell Memorial Foundation)
Sep 04, 2006 ... Snell Memorial Foundation's M2005 Standard presents methods for identifying motorcycle helmet models that meet specified standards for impact protection and retention system strength. Manufacturers voluntarily submit helmets to be tested to this standard and if the submitted helmets pass, ...