An August Surprise
August is typically one of the weakest months of the year for Average Wholesale Price (AWP). Surprisingly, that was only partially true this year. August 2014 brought notable increases in AWP over 2013 for sport motorcycles and most off-road categories (ATVs, MX and Side-by-Sides). The ATV category rose 15 percent and the MX category rose
Here We Are … Where Do We Go From Here?
Do you know where you “are” presently? No, I don’t mean in your sales manager’s office or at the AIMExpo in Orlando. I am interrogating you from a business perspective, not a geographic one. Many dealers “feel” they are headed in the right direction, yet they don’t have a firm grip on retail reality, financial feasibility
Printing All The News That Fits
The AIMExpo will play host to the announcement that Ryan Keefe has been appointed to director of marketing for National Powersport Auctions (NPA), the world’s leading powersport remarketing company. “Ryan has developed a wealth of experience in our industry and has a proven track record in delivering success, which makes him a huge asset
Motorcycles and Powersports October Data
The changes in the powersports market this month are very similar to what we saw in September, so we are going to sound a bit like a broken record, for those of you old enough to remember a time before CDs and iPods.
End of Summer Adjustments
Year over year Average Wholesale Pricing (AWP) for July 2014 vs. 2013 continued to see softer prices for all on-highway categories, with cruisers down around two percent. The decline in sport bikes was the largest at eight percent and appears to be due to more inventory available this year vs. last, as well as the
Kevin Schwantz: Show Champion
“Whatever Kenny [Roberts] did, I’m going to do it better!” laughs motorcycle road racing legend Kevin Schwantz when we asked what he thought he’d be doing for the AIMExpo as its “Show Champion.” Spoken like someone who still has the competitive fire burning after an illustrious professional racing career that he retired from almost two
Ace Cafe Orlando: The British Are Coming — Again
Ever wonder what it would have been like if rock and roll had never gone farther than a certain radio station in Cleveland where the term was coined? While the Ace Cafe in London was originally just a roadside diner, it has cemented its place in history as the foundation of the “ton up boys,”
Get Fall Unit Inventory in Shape
Understand your dealership’s “like model” inventory options
July 2014 F&I Department Performance
This article contains actual numbers obtained from our 20-group data reporting and analysis system. 20-groups consist of dealers from non-competing markets who meet three times a year to share financial and best practice information. Their goal is to grow and improve their businesses profitably. As you can see from the Total Store stats, sales
Engine Decompression Systems
The decompressor system reduces cylinder compression at low rpm for easy starting. Decompressor systems are often used with single cylinder four-stroke engines, but manufacturers sometimes utilize these benefits on other engine configurations including V-twins. The compression is reduced by momentarily opening an exhaust valve on the compression stroke of the piston to partially vent the
Sales and Finance: Why Can’t We Be Friends?
Most of the time, there is at least a little friction between sales and finance. Having been on both sides of this relationship, I understand that neither side is in the right or wrong. Sales and finance share the responsibility of getting as many bikes, ATVs, side-by-sides and other products as they can out the
Harley Unveils Customer Inspired 2015 Lineup
Harley continues to push the boundaries with the rollout of its 2015 model lineup. With the global launch of the Street 750 and Street 500 motorcycles and the electric buzz of Project LiveWire, Harley has unveiled a diverse lineup of motorcycles that have been inspired by customer-led innovation via Project Rushmore. “The broad 2015