MIC Welcomes Dealers
In February, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) began welcoming dealers into its membership for the first time in its long history. Editor Colleen Brousil explains why you should look into joining.
January 2013 P&A Department Performance
This month, we’ll review January parts and accessories department data, which includes apparel. We’ll compare a good-performing metric 20-group with the National Norm (NN) numbers and the averages for the Top 5 dealers for this group in each category. As you can see, sales this January weren’t as strong as last year for the group
Nobody Wants to Work for Jekyll and Hyde: Five Ways to Build Managerial Consistency, Trust and Gain Monstrous Commitment
In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson published the book The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In the story, a lawyer investigates the activities of an old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and the evil activities of his alter ego, Edward Hyde. The story is so well-known that the mere mention of the names “Jekyll”
Dealer Expo: New Technology Review
Technological innovation was easy to find at the 2013 Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Ind. Here is a rundown of the latest and greatest products showcased for powersports dealers: AccessorySmart Imagine, no more flipping through paper catalogs searching endlessly for SKUs, or ordering the wrong item because the SKU was handwritten incorrectly. AccessorySmart by ARI Network
Meet the Customer Early
Over the past several years, I have spent a lot of time looking at dealership numbers and talking to sales and finance managers about how they do what they do. Through this exercise, I have been able to quantify what behaviors, environments and approaches produce the best results in a finance office and why. In
Service Department Promotions
In 2008, our industry sold around 1.1 million units. The economy was hot, financing customers was easy and unit inventory levels were adequate to low. In 2009, the economy slammed on the brakes, and we have not achieved those 2008 new unit sales levels since. Over the last several years, our industry has delivered around
Making the Most of Your Auction Experience
From live auctions to online bidding, the world of auctions can be a valuable asset to you and your business.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Inductees
Five individuals will join the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame, and one individual is recognized through an induction into the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals or groups who have made a long-term impact on the motorcycle community, while the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame recognizes the commitment and sacrifices individuals have made to protect the rights of motorcyclists.
Powersports Company Adds Kubota Products to Inventory
Through a newly formed partnership, the dealership will now feature the Kubota line of tractors, zero turns and RTVs in its inventory. In addition to Kubota, Powersports Company’s list of brands includes Honda, Stihl, Honda Power Equipment, Simplicity and Toro.
Zero Motorcycles Launches New Website
Zero Motorcycles has announced the launch of a brand-new website as its 2013 lineup arrives in dealerships. The site delivers a host of great information on Zero’s latest technology and includes an abundance of high-end new multimedia.
Service Manager Pro Launches Service Interval Guide
This additional function to Service Manager Pro allows a service writer to pick a specific year, make and model motorcycle. Once the service writer selects the vehicle, they can then view the entire OEM recommended service intervals. With just a couple clicks of a mouse, the service writer can print a checklist based on what the OEM recommends for the specific mileage and month intervals that the consumer is showing on their odometer.
Harley-Davidson Partners with Kid Rock for 110th Anniversary Celebration
The partnership names Harley-Davidson as a title sponsor of Kid Rock’s Rebel Soul tour, which kicked off this past Saturday in Kansas City. Harley-Davidson plans to offer fans unique experiences at each of the 60 planned stops during the Rebel Soul tour. The tour sponsorship is just one aspect of the overarching relationship, which will extend from concerts to retail promotions.
2012 Year-End Analysis of Powersports Dealers
This month, we’ll analyze the year-end data from our groups. As you can see from the last article, things were trending steadily upward. In this article, we’ll review the overall store data, as well as key department performance indicators.
BMW of Denver
Colorado’s oldest and only exclusive BMW motorcycle dealership implements top-notch service as its business model.
UTV Market Overview
Call them UTVs, side-by-sides, ROVs or cash cows, the market for these machines has never been stronger.
Insurance and Ethanol: Best Practices from a Shop That’s Doing it Right
Over the course of the last several years, ethanol has become a real problem for motorcycles. It clogs carbs, ruins fuel lines and rusts gas tanks. Team Charlotte Motorsports in Charlotte, N.C., knows how to combat this issue.