Race Tech to Sponsor Award at 2013 Scott Sports Vurb Classic
For the second year in a row, competitors will be fighting for a special award from Race Tech: the Race Tech Shocking Performance Award. The award will be given to the rider who exceeds expectations on the track and represents him/herself professionally off the track.
nizeX Opens New Customer Contact Center
While nizeX has long served the support needs of its Lizzy software customers via phone, email and PDM, this new, U.S.-based customer contact center offers an innovative new way to support the needs of powersports dealers.
Harley-Davidson’s First Quarter Earnings Rise Sharply
Harley-Davidson Inc.’s (NYSE: HOG) first quarter 2013 diluted earnings per share increased 33.8 percent on higher motorcycle shipments and continued improvement in operating efficiencies, compared to the year-ago period. First quarter net income was $224.1 million on consolidated revenue of $1.57 billion, compared to net income of $172 million in the year-ago period on consolidated revenue of $1.43 billion.
Selling to the Adventure Motorcyclist
Adventure motorcycling is a mindset; a way of approaching the world. It’s a means of expression; riders want to live out their dream adventures or maybe just look like they are. The way you approach your customer is key to success with this segment of the market.
Shaft Drive Systems Maintenance for Motorcycles
Six ways to keep your shaft drive systems up to snuff.
Driving Your Team To Success
If you have ever watched racing on TV, you’ve probably noticed that everyone in the pit crew has a specific job during a pit stop. Think of your service department like a race team with your customer as the rider. When the customer drops off his unit, he will get it back sooner if everyone
Destination Dealership: Santa Fe Harley-Davidson
This New Mexico-based dealership strives to make customers feel like family and give them a sense of belonging.
Kuryakyn Releases 2013 Accessories Catalogs
The company will be offering three complete catalogs for 2013: Accessories For Harley-Davidson, Accessories For Goldwing, and Accessories For Metric Bikes (Victory, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Can-Am and Sportbikes). The addition of a specific Goldwing catalog is new for 2013.
RP Advanced Mobile Systems Launches New LTATV Strike and Mobility Vehicles
The first of three vehicles to be announced is the RP Advanced C2 Strike Mobility Commander. This vehicle fills the commander’s needs for a C2/C4 vehicle that is low cost, lightweight and can be deployed by fixed and rotary wing aircraft quickly and easily to the battlefield.
The two additional vehicles will be based on the Can-Am 101 HP Maverick 1000 in both two- and four-passenger configurations. All three vehicles will be unveiled in booth 450 at the upcoming NDIA SOFIC show in Tampa, Fla.
Suzuki Motor of America Named Sole Distributor of Powersports Applications in U.S.
SMAI will distribute Suzuki motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), marine outboard engines and automotive parts and service in the contiguous United States and Alaska. This announcement comes following the restructuring of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC).
Mark Blackwell Named Chair of the Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors
Blackwell has served intermittently on the board since the early 1980s and takes over for outgoing Chair Larry Little, who remains an active elected board member after having served as chair for the last 10 years. For 2013, Blackwell joins the other officers: newly elected Vice Chair Jon-Erik Burleson as well as returning Secretary/Treasurer Eric Anderson and President Tim Buche.
Parts Unlimited Releases 2013 ATV & UTV Catalog
The catalog offers top-of-line products for riders of all types and their machines. It features up-to-date information on the latest parts and accessories for powersports applications.
50 Below, an ARI Company, Upgrades Mobile Website Platform
This upgrade enhances the mobile shopping experience end-to-end with new layout and streamlined navigation options, easy-to-use icons for contact, phone, map and directions, hours of operation and social media sites. It also provides consumers with easy access to in-store sales and factory promotions and all of the dealership’s new and used inventory, parts, garments and accessories.
Bintelli Offers Free Roadside Assistance to Scooter Customers
Each scooter sold after April 1 will come with a free year of roadside service for the customer.
Through a partnership between Bintelli and Inovex Industries, maker of the Ride-On brand of tire protection products, riders will have 24/7 access to up to five free tows of up to 15 miles. Bintelli dealers will be given cards that riders must complete to activate their roadside assistance.
ARI Signs Multi-Year Reseller Agreement with ADP Lightspeed
Under this agreement, ADP will integrate ARI’s AccessorySmart with its Dealer Management System and will resell AccessorySmart Essentials and Professional to its customers in the powersports industry.
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