Powersports Business articles from April 2006

Powersports Business archives from April 2006

America's Powersports changes leaders.(Clark Vitulli)(Dennis Bookshester)(Jerry Gilding)
April 3, 2006... Brentwood, Tenn.-based America's Powersports (APS), the second largest dealer group in North America, has announced changes at its top. Clark Vitulli, the company's president and CEO since its beginning seven years ago, has left APS. A...

Harley-Davidson announces new CFO.(HOTNEWS)
April 3, 2006... Harley-Davidson, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., has selected Thomas E. Bergmann as new vice president and chief financial officer. Harley-Davidson Vice President and Treasurer James Brostowitz has been serving as acting chief financial officer...

AMA names committee members in restructure.(HOTNEWS)
April 3, 2006... The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the members of two standing committees of the AMA Board of Directors, part of a previously announced restructuring the organization says is designed to increase its effectiveness in its...

Attendance drops slightly at 2006 Dealer Expo.(HOTNEWS)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Attendance at the 2006 Dealer Expo in Indianapolis was down slightly from attendance at the 2005 event, said Advanstar Communications, owner of the annual powersports trade fair. The audited attendance figure for this year's four-day show...

AMA backs Kempthorne for Interior Secretary.(American Motorcyclist Association)(Dirk Kempthorne Interior Secretary Gale Norton)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced its support of Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, President Bush's pick to be the new Secretary of the Interior. The Department of Interior is responsible for managing national parks and...

Polaris promotes two.(appointment of Matt Homan and Jeff LeFever )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Officials at Polaris Industries Inc. announced changes to the company's ATV group. Matt Homan has been promoted to general manager, utility division, replacing Tim DeJong, who retired March 1. Jeff LeFever will assume Homan's previous role...

KYMCO teams with Consumer Research Solutions.(HOTNEWS)
April 3, 2006... KYMCO USA teamed with Consumer Research Solutions, Inc. (CRS) to provide an online site that compares KYMCO models, side-by-side and feature-by-feature, against competitive models in the marketplace. CRS, Westminster, Mass., provides...

Italy plans International trade show in 2006.(HOTNEWS)
April 3, 2006... The 64th International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) takes place in Milan, Italy, on Nov. 14-19. EICMA's exhibition area in 2005 grew 29.3 percent to 63,785 sq. meters, and approximately 1,560 companies exhibited at the event, a 33 percent...

Dodgers star Kent buys two dealerships in Texas.(HOTNEWS)
April 3, 2006... Major League Baseball player Jeff Kent and a partner have purchased two Texas single-line dealerships, one of which will be housed in a much-bigger facility in 2007. Kent Powersports has begun construction on a 41,000-square foot facility...

A new partnership.
April 3, 2006... Minnesota-based Arctic Cat Inc. and Italy's Piaggio Group plan to enter a partnership they say will expand and strengthen their respective distribution in Europe and North America, and potentially lead to other areas of future collaboration,...

Distribution move is among first big Polaris-KTM steps.(KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG)
April 3, 2006... KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG has become the exclusive distributor in Germany for vehicles manufactured by Polaris Industries, Inc. The distribution deal started March 1 and is among the first major steps in a strategic partnership the two companies...

An adapting engine operation: BRP's Rotax focuses on high-performance engine markets.
April 3, 2006... GUNSKIRCHEN, Austria -- The yellow and red cords hang down from each assembly line at the Rotax engine factory like children's abandoned jump ropes. Pull the red one, the one for emergencies, and the line stops immediately. Pull the...

Finding the right marketing approach.(From The Editor)
April 3, 2006... They're not exactly 20 Groups, but they certainly can be helpful. They outline the problems and fears dealers have. They give advice on everything from customer service strategies to marketing, and a bit of history. They reflect current...

BRP's Scandinavian operations fill several niches.(Here's My Opinion)
April 3, 2006... ROVANIEMI, FINLAND -- Up here, only a few kilometers short of the Arctic Circle, people like snowmobiles and they use them as a primary means of transportation in many areas. The Laplanders use BRP's Lynx machines to herd their reindeer, and...

Polaris, GE to launch new financing program.(Polaris Installment Financing Program )
April 3, 2006... Polaris and GE Consumer Finance's Retail Sales Finance Division agreed on a new, multi-year partnership that will provide Polaris customers with installment financing primarily for Victory motorcycles. The Polaris Installment Financing...

AIH teams with HSBC for retail finance offer.(American IronHorse)(financing programs)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... American IronHorse now offers a retail financing package through a new agreement with HSBC-North America's Retail Services business. American IronHorse's new consumer financing programs are being rolled out through dealerships nationwide...

BMW motorcycle profits on the rise.(DIGEST)
April 3, 2006... The BMW Group said 2005 net profit was Euro 2.239 billion ($2.7 billion), or Euro 3.33 per share of common stock, just below a net profit of Euro 2.242 billion ($2.7 billion), or Euro 3.33 per share of common stock, for 2004. The...

Two-wheeler sales in Italy up 41% in 2006.(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Italy's two-wheeler market grew in February, with registrations of motorcycles and scooters up 56 percent to 32,051 units. The increase was due mostly to Italian Mail purchasing 7,450 scooters. Still, without the Italian Mail purchases, sales...

BRP, Synerject complete deal.(Bombardier Recreational Products Inc)(Synerject LLC)
April 3, 2006... Synerject LLC, a 50:50 joint venture between Orbital Corp. Ltd. and Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, has completed its acquisition of the manufacturing assets and employees of BRP US Inc.'s Delavan, Wis., engine management modules facility....

GM will sell most of its Suzuki stock.
April 3, 2006... General Motors plans to sell 17.4 percent of its ownership in Suzuki Motor Corp. for $2 billion, a move that will drop the U.S. auto giant from the top shareholder position to the seventh largest shareholder in the Japanese company. Suzuki...

Scooters roll into 2006.(Buyers guide)
April 3, 2006... Full-year scooter sales in the United States in 2005 numbered 56,899 units, up 17 percent from 48,445 units sold in 2004, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Suzuki recalls 2005 Eiger ATV.(ATV Digest)
April 3, 2006... American Suzuki Motor Corp., Brea, Calif., is recalling approximately 1,900 LT-F400FK5 and LT-A400FK5 (Eiger) ATVs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Suzuki said certain 2005 model year Eiger ATVs, manufactured in the United States, were...

Kentucky House passes ATV helmet bill.(ATV Digest)
April 3, 2006... Children younger than 16 would have to wear helmets when riding ATVs under a bill passed March 8 by the Kentucky House. House Bill 334, passed 56-34, applies to riders on public property. Kentucky had 109 ATV-related deaths between 2000 and...

Idaho ATV and hunting initiative.(ATV Digest)
April 3, 2006... Members from the Blue Ribbon Coalition and the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife announced a five-step initiative to address the use of an ATV while hunting in Idaho. The plan is an attempt to establish increased cooperation between the...

N.Y. governor wants trail funding.(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... New York Gov. George Pataki wants to add state funds reserved for maintaining and promoting snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle trails to the state's general fund. Both sides of the state's legislature are against the plan, calling it...

ATV Ambassador Program.(ATV Digest)
April 3, 2006... American Honda and the FMF Media All-Stars have teamed up to allow foreign ATV racers the opportunity to compete in America as part of their 2006 ATV Ambassador Program. Honda supplied the 2006 TRX450R models the visiting racers compete...

Duvall returns to GNCC with ITP.(Grand National Cross Country)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Chad Duvall has become the official rider representative for ITP at all of this year's GNCC events. If you have any questions concerning ITP tires and wheels, contingency, sponsorship or just need some advice on how to win in the woods, you'll...

A new dimension to the UTV: utility vehicle racing appears to be an emerging sport.(ATV)
April 3, 2006... It was a simple next step for Chad and Brent Spooner. In 2004, the Lake Elsinore, Calif., brothers took possession of a new Yamaha Rhino UTV. "We got one, drove one and rolled one all within five minutes," Chad Spooner said. ...

Identifying the typical UTV buyer and ways to market to them.(ATV)
April 3, 2006... Besides some common generalities about the average UTV consumer, there are few specific, agreed-upon demographics and marketing approaches to the buyer of the increasingly popular vehicle. Is the UTV buyer a different consumer than the...

Central Vermont Motorcycles.(Power Profile)
April 3, 2006... CONTACT Central Vermont Motorcycles 360 West St. Rutland, Vt. 05701 (800) 639-1664 www.centralvermontmotorcycles.com OWNERS Charles Coughlin and Sherree Harvey BUSINESS PROFILE Jay Uger was a general...

Hall of Fame seeks entries for 5th annual Concours d'Elegance.(Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, Pickerington, Ohio, invites collectors, restorers and preservation-minded enthusiasts to submit an application for participation in the country's largest by-invitation-only showcase of classic and collectible...

Ownership changes at Hellbound Steel.(Cycle Update)
April 3, 2006... Hellbound Steel Motorcycles, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has consolidated its ownership to principals directly involved with production of the company's motorcycles. Paul Cavallo, who was a co-founder of HBS, has sold his interest in HBS to...

Ducati launches the Desmoblog.(Web log)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Ducati Motor launched a new Web log, or blog, on March 10 to share brand passion and create a direct dialogue between the company and consumers. Desmoblog will revolve around Ducati events, corporate strategies, race reports and even...

Yamaha hosts Web-based custom Bike Show.(2007 Star Motorcycles)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Yamaha has invited Star motorcycle owners to enter their custom rides in a special Virtual Bike Show section of its Web site. Six motorcycles will be chosen from the submissions to be featured in the 2007 Star Motorcycles calendar. "With...

Kawasaki expands Custom Cruiser Tour.(cruiser motorcycles )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. plans to tour the nation with a collection of unique and unusual cruiser motorcycles as part of Kawasaki's fifth annual Custom Cruiser Tour (CCT). The 10-city tour will begin April 7 at Arizona Bike Week in...

EagleRider enters Long Beach.(Cycle Update)
April 3, 2006... EagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle rental and touring company, has just announced the addition of its newest location, Long Beach BMW. Long Beach BMW has been owned and operated by the Autrey family for more than 35 years. Bob...

Women increase cycle sales in Germany.(Cycle Update)
April 3, 2006... The German Motorcycle Industry Association (IFZ) says it is becoming evident that the number of female motorcyclists in Germany is steadily increasing. The IFZ said more than 15 percent of the 500,000-plus newly registered or re-registered...

A growing sidecar interest: Russia's Ural producing more bikes for U.S. market.(MOTORCYCLE)(Company overview)
April 3, 2006... Although attendance at the 34th annual Griffith Park Sidecar Rally--the nation's premier sidecar event--was up by 5 percent to 8,000 visitors last year, three-wheeled motorcycles have spent the past few decades relegated to boutique status,...

AMA clarifies regulations on kit and custom bikes: '06 road bike models must meet stricter emissions standards.(MOTORCYCLE)
April 3, 2006... The American Motorcyclist Association's government relations team met with Environmental Protection Agency officials to clarify emissions regulations. "Even though these regulations governing motorcycle emissions were approved a couple...

How to take advantage of the industry's only salvation.(Dealer Advocate)
April 3, 2006... At the Lemco Management Update and at the Indy show, I was most pleased by the number of dealers who talked to me and expressed support for the National Council of Motorcycle Dealer Associations' efforts to support state dealer associations and...

Likelihood of theft not linked to size of city, study finds.(MOTORCYCLE)
April 3, 2006... A recent study suggests the size of a city doesn't warrant a greater risk of motorcycle theft, and that traffic congestion levels don't necessarily increase the odds of having an accident. The study's author, The Progressive Group of...

Hitching Post Motorsports.(Power Profile)
April 3, 2006... CONTACT Hitching Post Motorsports 350 17th Ave. North Hopkins, Minn. 55343 (952) 933-9649 www.hponline.com OWNER Sheri Rosoff BUSINESS PROFILE Rick Rosoff opened the first Hitching Post Motorsports...

Ski-Doo jackets go high tech.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Ski-Doo gives new meaning to the phrase "I dig your jacket" as the snowmobile maker now offers a garment that includes an avalanche rescue system. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RECCO system comes in the company's Mountain Light shell...

BRP customer satisfaction goes real time.(Snowmobile Report)
April 3, 2006... BRP dealers can now access their customer satisfaction index (CSI) online in real time, with the second phase of Ralyn Business Intelligence's (RBI) program. The BRP CSI system is a Web and an interactive voice response-based initiative...

Morgan, Ski-Doo extend contract.(Ski-Doo )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Blair Morgan signed a two-year contract extension with Ski-Doo last month, said Jamie Anseeuw, manager of Blair Morgan Racing Team. Other factories showed interest in acquiring the five-time X Games snocross gold medalist, but the team...

Endurance XC in Labrador.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... A 780-mile cross-country endurance race is happening in the remote regions of Labrador, a part of Canada's eastern province, Newfoundland. The Cain's Quest race, which began on March 18, was scheduled to take three to four days to...

Park Service unveils alternatives for Yellowstone winter use.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... The National Park Service has revealed to the public a long-term range of possible winter-use options for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Currently, the park service's winter-use rules are only temporary for Yellowstone. ...

Polaris '07: what's in and out.(SNOWMOBILE)
April 3, 2006... When Polaris dealers took their first look at the company's 2007 lineup at the mid-March dealer meeting, they saw a streamlined lineup--25 models--and one surprise omission: the Liberty 900 CleanFire engine. Coming into the 2007 model...

Adventurers vie for distance record.(Making Waves)
April 3, 2006... As the saying goes, records were made to be broken, and the current PWC distance record is about to be challenged. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Adventurers Marinus du Plessis and Adriaan Marais plan to start in Anchorage, Alaska, in mid-June...

More info on PWC economic impacts.(Making Waves)
April 3, 2006... Curious about the statistics quoted in the accompanying National Parks feature? So were we, so we delved a little deeper into the research done by The Trade Partnership, a Washington, D.C.-based economic research firm. While the total cost...

Park access issue lingers: some lawmakers upset over delay in finalizing National Park rules.(PWC)
April 3, 2006... A number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently criticized the National Park Service for moving at a "glacial pace" in finalizing rules regarding personal watercraft access in a handful of parks. The criticism on March 15...

New powersports tech degree available in Missouri.(Associate of Applied Science degree program)(Linn State Technical College )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Linn State Technical College (LSTC) plans to offer the only Associate of Applied Science degree program in Missouri focused specifically on developing technicians for the powersports industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LSTC's Powersports...

Tucker Rocky founder invests in airline.(Distributor Report)
April 3, 2006... Robert Nickell, the founder of Tucker Rocky who later sold the company to current owner LDI and is now a regent at the University of North Texas, is joining with a partner to invest $5 million in VAI Partners, the company providing a portion of...

Parts and Drag Super Showcases to appear in 11 cities.(11 Super Showcases )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... LeMans Corporation's Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties will be teaming up to host 11 Super Showcases across the nation this year. More than 40 vendors will utilize 15,000-20,000 sq. feet for the showcase showroom to display new ATV,...

Weld Racing announces management changes.(Distributor Report)
April 3, 2006... Mark Finnie has resigned from his position as vice president of the Weld Motorcycle division to pursue other opportunities. Greg Weld, CEO of Weld Wheel Industries, says Weld Racing now plans to consolidate its motorcycle division's sales...

Diamond Powersports triples sales.(Distributor Report)
April 3, 2006... Parts supplier Diamond Powersports, Inc. said it received orders worth $181,429 in February, nearly triple the orders of $62,081 received in February 2005. Diamond's sales for January and February 2006 were $270,682, up 61 percent from...

CycleCareers.com launches new features.(CycleCareers.com)(online recruiting company )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... CycleCareers.com, an online recruiting company serving the powersports industry, has designed a new homepage and added resources. Cycle Career officials said the new homepage was designed to simplify site navigation and allow for future...

PowersportsTV offers new survey feature.(PowersportsTV.com LLC)(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... PowersportsTV.com, LLC (PSTV), Bellingham, Wash., now offers Outcome Customer Surveys, a new research tool to investigate and manage how consumers are making their powersports vehicle purchases. PowersportsTV.com provides consumers a forum...

New manager at Kryptonite.(appointment of Dwight Gibson )(Brief article)
April 3, 2006... Kryptonite, a brand in Ingersoll Rand's Security Technologies Sector, announced that Dwight Gibson has been appointed by Ingersoll Rand to drive business development for the Portable Security business unit. In this role, Gibson reports to...

No gain without growing pain: dealership involved in year-long project working out kinks in new system.(AFTERMARKET)
April 3, 2006... Like most enterprisewide systems implementations, a project to modernize an Alabama powersports dealer has encountered some bumps on the program's 12-month road as employees adapt to new software. Jasper, Ala.-based S & W powersports is the...

Better late than never: AireTronics to fill Marines' order.(AFTERMARKET)
April 3, 2006... AireTronics, Inc., Irvine, Calif., recently signed a deal to provide inflatable torso protection vests to the U.S. Marine Corps. In doing so, company President J. Todd Brumley got an education of what it's like to work with the federal...

How you can stop the wasting of thy master's goods.(Dealer Dollars)
April 3, 2006... Back in 1860, Brigham Young said, "A woman can throw it out the window with a teaspoon faster than a man can pitch it in the front door with a shovel." Now, if there was ever an expert on thrift and economy (OK, and women too...) it was...

A final glance at time management strategies.(Sales Management)
April 3, 2006... The value of planning and identifying times that should not be planned out are all part of successful time management strategies. There are a number of self-help publications that deal with time management. I've distilled the essence of...

Cycle Country names interim CEO.(HOTNEWS)
April 24, 2006... A former John Deere general manager has been named as interim CEO of Cycle Country Accessories Corp. John Gault, a board member for Cycle Country (AMEX:ATC), replaces Ron Hickman, the Milford, Iowa, company's previous president and CEO....

Colaninno updates Piaggio IPO.(HOTNEWS)
April 24, 2006... Officials at Italy's Piaggio & Co. SpA may bring the company to market earlier than initially predicated, Piaggio Chairman Roberto Colaninno said recently. "We think towards June," Colannino said, indicating that the schedule for Piaggio's...

New board appointed at Ducati Motor Holding.(HOTNEWS)(Brief article)
April 24, 2006... A new board of directors was appointed during the Ordinary Shareholders Meeting of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH and Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH). The board, appointed April 10, is composed of Matteo Tamburini, Massimo Bergami,...

United Motors, Hyosung announce agreement.(HOTNEWS)(Hyosung Motors and Machinery, Inc.)(Brief article)
April 24, 2006... United Motors, Inc., supplier of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs sold under the UM brand name, and Hyosung Motors & Machinery, Inc., Korea's largest manufacturer of two-wheel motorcycles and ATVs sold under the Hyosung brand name, announced a...

West Virginia enacts new biker-friendly law.(HOTNEWS)(Brief article)
April 24, 2006... West Virginia has enacted a law supporting the goals of the AMA's "Justice for All" campaign. The Reckless Driving Bill, also known as "Danny's Law" after West Virginia motorcyclist Danny Kneisly, passed unanimously in both houses of the...

Team Green plans 25th Anniversary.(HOTNEWS)
April 24, 2006... Kawasaki is extending an invitation to all former Team Green riders and staff to join them at Team Green's 25th Anniversary Celebration at the AMA Amateur National Championships, Aug. 1-5 at Loretta Lynn's ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. ...

AMA, Nationwide Mutual Insurance ink agreement.(HOTNEWS)
April 24, 2006... The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company have announced a new partnership that makes Nationwide the AMA's "Motorcycle Insurer of Choice" and brings new benefits to the AMA's 270,000-plus members. ...

World's largest BMW retailer opens in Munich.(HOTNEWS)
April 24, 2006... Offering an area of 9,000 sq. meters, including a 3,000 sq. meter showroom and 25 technician work stations, the world's largest BMW motorcycle retail location opened March 25. Located next to the company's worldwide headquarters in Munich,...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
April 24, 2006... A caption on page 47 of the March 13 issue of Powersports Business, "Brazil grows cycle production, exports," could be misinterpreted. All Yamaha 650 V-Star motorcycles sold in the United States are built in Japan.

The land of opportunity: enticed by America's can-do mentality, Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock returned to the United States to lead a surprising turnaround.
April 24, 2006... It wasn't the rags to riches stories that drew Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock back to the United States. It was the spirit behind them. The energetic, can-do mentality that throws aside nagging doubts and fiscal hand-wringing and simply...

Two states start dealer groups.
April 24, 2006... Powersports dealers in Nevada and Oklahoma recently formed state dealer associations. Led by dealer Ron Bray, a group of about 20 dealers met in Stroud, Okla., on March 20 to revive the Oklahoma Motorcycle Dealers Association. National...

Industry leaders: Jeff Fox.(Q & A)(LeMans Corp.)(Interview)
April 24, 2006... Discussing strategy and goals with vendors. Ensuring forecasting and purchasing are in line to ensure expected fill rates. That's what Greg Blackwell, LeMans Corp.'s vice president of sales, calls the "backbone" of the business for Parts...

Industry leaders: Donny Emler.(Q & A)(FMF Racing)(Interview)
April 24, 2006... If it had wheels, Donny Emler wanted to make it go faster. That's how the owner and president of FMF Racing is described by a colleague, so it's little wonder that his Rancho Dominguez, Calif., business has taken off. FMF Racing is a...

Industry leaders: Sheldon Coleman.(Q & A)(Interview)
April 24, 2006... For quite a while, Sheldon Coleman lived in the corporate world of forecast budgeting and long-term strategizing. So it's more than a little bit ironic that the former head of Coleman, the huge recreation products company, would get caught up...

Industry leaders: Emil Gomez.(Q & A)(EMGO)(Interview)
April 24, 2006... Emil Gomez transformed a hobby into a worldwide corporation. Gomez has gone from a messenger rider in New York City to motorcycle seller to importer to corporate CEO. "I just get the biggest kick in the world out of doing this...

A divine question that's worth asking.(From The Editor)(Linn State Technical College )
April 24, 2006... Copying, so it's said, is the most sincere form of flattery. If that's true, then every state dealership group should flatter Larry Neill and the Missouri Powersports Dealers Association. The association, in conjunction with a state...

Cycle Country moves aggressively to strengthen and grow business.(Here's My Opinion)(Cycle Country Accessories Corp.)
April 24, 2006... Jim Danbom, founder and chairman of Cycle Country Accessories, the Milford, Iowa, manufacturer of ATV accessories, thinks the company has been too quiet for too long and he's ready to do something about it. He's taken some pretty...

Harley-Davidson 1Q net income up 3.2%.(DIGEST)
April 24, 2006... Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) net income for its first quarter ended March 26 was $234.6 million, up 3.2 percent from net income of $227.2 million during the first quarter of 2005. First quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were...

Polaris 1Q net income, profit falls.(DIGEST)(Polaris Industries Inc. )(Brief article)
April 24, 2006... Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE:PII) (PSE:PII) says net income for its first quarter ended March 31 was $11.5 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, down from net income of $17.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2005. ...

BRP, Synerject complete deal.(DIGEST)(Brief article)
April 24, 2006... Synerject LLC, a 50:50 joint venture between Orbital Corp. Ltd. and Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, has completed its acquisition of the manufacturing assets of BRP US Inc.'s Delavan, Wis. engine management modules facility. Synerject,...

Sea-Doo partners with Close Motor.(DIGEST)
April 24, 2006... Jets Marivent, Sea-Doo's official personal watercraft distributor in the United Kingdom and Ireland, has entered into a partnership with Close Motor Finance Ltd. Sewell's recently voted CMF, Sea-Doo's approved finance provider for this...