Powersports Business articles from August 2006

Powersports Business archives from August 2006

The powersports industry's six-month report: industry averages are largely up, but some economic factors are hurting the industry.(NEWS)
August 14, 2006... At the halfway mark of the year, most economic signs pointed to a healthy, growing powersports industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New unit sales numbers reported from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) are largely up--some...

KTM ends possible union with Polaris: Polaris 'disappointed' with KTM shareholder's decision.(NEWS)
August 14, 2006... Obtaining a larger share of Austria's KTM Power Sports AG, majority owner of motorcycle producer KTM Sportmotorcycles AG, is no longer an option for Minnesota-based Polaris Industries, Inc. Polaris, through its Austrian subsidiary (Polaris...

John Deere stops selling ATVs.(NEWS)
August 14, 2006... John Deere will exit the ATV business. In a July 28 press release, Deere said it has not achieved an "acceptable level of profitability" with ATVs since it began selling them in 2004. No John Deere jobs are affected because its ATVs...

Storied Indian brand may reappear in 2007: new company owners have purchased a production facility in North Carolina.(NEWS)
August 14, 2006... Officials at Indian Motorcycle Company say they plan to introduce a new Indian Chief in the second half of 2007. The company recently purchased a production facility in Kings Mountain, N.C., hired motorcycle industry veteran Geoffrey...

Trend found in increasing U.S. cycle-related fatalities, injuries.(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration )
August 14, 2006... Motorcyclists are more than 30 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash, a figure that's increasing at an alarming rate. That scary statistic is one of the findings in the 2006 National Highway Traffic Safety...

Recreation movement 'finding its voice'.(HOTNEWS)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... The significance of public land recreation and access was specifically recognized in recent bills from Oregon, California and Idaho. Congressman Greg Walden, chairman of the House subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, said existing...

California board adopts new standards for dune buggies.(HOTNEWS)
August 14, 2006... The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted on July 20 to create a special category to regulate the emissions of dune buggies--a move that saved dune buggy and engine manufacturers the possibility of severe fines and even the closing of...

Honda to begin sales of HondaJet.(HOTNEWS)
August 14, 2006... Japan's Honda Motor Co. Ltd. plans to establish a new U.S. company to begin commercializing the HondaJet. The company made the announcement July 25 at the world's largest annual aviation gathering, the Experimental Aircraft Association...

KTM taps PSN for dealer Web sites.(HOTNEWS)
August 14, 2006... KTM North America, Inc. has selected PowerSports Network (PSN) as its preferred Web site vendor for KTM dealer Web sites across North America. The PSN dealer Web site program for KTM dealers includes a complete dealer Web site with...

CycleTrader.com starts online resource for women.(HOTNEWS)
August 14, 2006... CycleTrader.com recently added a women riders resource page to its Web site. The new page offers statistics, stories and links to motorcycle resources that are geared toward the female market. "On a monthly basis, 46 percent of the visitors...

Italian cycle group changes its name.(HOTNEWS)(Bicycle, Motorcycle and Accessories Association )(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Italy's Bicycle, Motorcycle and Accessories Association (ANCMA) changed its name to Confindustria ANCMA at the organization's annual general assembly, held in July. The Italian two-wheeler market makes up one-third of all registrations in...

AMA holds inaugural rules committee meeting.(HOTNEWS)
August 14, 2006... The first meeting of the newly formed AMA Road Race Rules Committee was held July 13 at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. The meeting covered a variety of issues related to the AMA Super-bike Championship. AMA Pro Racing is the...

Tackling two of the industry's vexing questions.(Wil Garland)(Column)
August 14, 2006... Wil Garland's question was justification enough that this column should be devoted to strong statements, regardless if they're seen by you, the reader, as the honest-to-goodness truth or just my opinion. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Harley's U.S. sales climb 8%.(FINANCIAL)
August 14, 2006... Harley-Davidson, Inc.'s worldwide motorcycle sales for its second quarter ended June 25 were up 10 percent to more than 125,000 units. Although U.S. retail motorcycle sales grew by a respectable 8.1 percent, international sales were up 17.3...

BMW profit up, names new CEO.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... BMW AG net income for the second quarter ended June 30 was Euro 787 million ($1 billion), or Euro 1.20 ($1.53) per share, up 17.5 percent from net income of Euro 670 million, or 90 Euro cents per share, for the same three-month period in 2005....

KTM sales, profits surge.(KTM Power Sports AG)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Austria's KTM Power Sports AG said net income for the period from Sept. 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006 was Euro 11.6 million ($14.8 million), up 76 percent from net income of Euro 6.6 million during the same nine-month period in the prior year. KTM's...

Honda's 1Q profits increase 30 percent: U.S. motorcycle sales are up for Honda.(FINANCIAL)
August 14, 2006... Japan's Honda Motor Co., Ltd. said its fiscal first-quarter profit increased 30 percent on strong vehicle sales in North America and a depreciation of the Japanese yen. Honda's net income for the three months ended June 30 was 143.4...

Yamaha's first-half sales, income up 20 percent: north American motorcycle sales are down.(FINANCIAL)
August 14, 2006... Increased sales in all business segments along with beneficial exchange rates helped boost Yamaha Motor Co. sales and income during the first six months of the year. Yamaha net income for its second quarter ended June 30 was 16.2 billion...

Ducati returns to profit.(Ducati Motor Holdings S.p.A.)(Statistical data)
August 14, 2006... Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. said it achieved a profit of Euro 2.3 million ($2.9 million) for the first six months of the year, up from a loss of Euro 3.5 million in the first half of 2005. Revenue for the half-year ended June 30 was Euro...

Arctic Cat's sales, profits fall in first quarter.(FINANCIAL)
August 14, 2006... Arctic Cat, Inc. had a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended June 30, down from a profit of $448,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2005. First-quarter sales were $96.4...

Kawasaki's net income leaps 240%.(FINANCIAL)
August 14, 2006... Kawasaki Heavy Industries net income for its first quarter ended June 30 was 5.52 billion yen ($47.9 million), up an incredible 240 percent from net income of 1.63 billion yen for the same three-month period in 2005. The Japanese company's...

Suzuki's 1Q sales, profits up: motorcycle sales increase in Europe and United States.(FINANCIAL)
August 14, 2006... Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. said net income for its first quarter ended June 30 was 20.2 billion yen ($176 million), up 20.4 percent from the 16.8 billion yen of net income recorded in the same three-month period last year. Benefiting from...

Enhancements announced for LightspeedNXT.(ADP Lightspeed )
August 14, 2006... ADP Lightspeed announced plans to release major new enhancements to the popular LightspeedNXT dealer management system, including accounting module enhancements, ADP Payroll integration, Web store functionality, multi-store capabilities,...

Nextstep releases Profit Center.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... NextStep has released a new feature for its dealer management system that calculates profitability for any estimate, work/repair order or invoice. The new feature for the PartsLookup DMS is called Profit Center. "Profit Center saves...

MMCS signs distribution deal with godealertodealer.com.(GoDealer-toDealer.com )(Motorcycle Management Consulting Services (MMCS), Inc.)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Motorcycle Management Consulting Services (MMCS), Inc., a California-based consulting firm, has joined forces with GoDealer-toDealer.com to provide an online wholesale auction service. Responding to the challenges of locating, buying and...

Ideal 6.0 tracks cost of wholegoods.(Ideal Computer Systems, Inc. )(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Ideal Computer Systems, Inc.'s Ideal 6.0 allows you to track the true cost of wholegoods and track various options with each wholegood, including manufacturer options and dealer added options. Ideal says this offering gives dealers the...

SSI offers biometric identification.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... Softek Software Int'l, Inc. (SSI) has integrated biometric identification for employee login. A proprietary driver written by SSI is being used to incorporate a leading fingerprint recognition device, making user login not only quick and...

Sparta Commercial Services announces agreement with netLoan Funding.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. announced that it recently signed an agreement for routing of motorcycle, ATV, and scooter loan applications with a Fortune 500 global diversified financial provider. Sparta will process, decide upon, and...

ARI celebrates 25th anniversary.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... ARI, a leading provider of technology-enabled business solutions that help dealers build sales and profits, is celebrating its 25th anniversary year. ARI began operations on Aug. 3, 1981, as a publishing company in the agriculture...

MIC-developed business program coming online.(F & I & Computers)
August 14, 2006... A new digital business communication system developed by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is working its way into the industry. A couple of dealers have successfully used the system, which simplifies the way dealers do business with...

Leasing option expands to powersports: financing option could mean lower monthly payments.(F & I & Computers)
August 14, 2006... Leasing, a popular financing option in the auto industry, has yet to reach the same level of interest in the powersports industry. That could change as rising interest rates figure to make consumers and dealers look more closely at the...

Tips to lower consumer credit fraud.(F & I & Computers)
August 14, 2006... Consumer fraud, a problem that results in millions of lost dollars, can be decreased at the dealership level by practicing attention-to-detail tactics. Here are some of those tactics, courtesy HSBC, that dealership personnel can use to...

Loan programs can present a selling quandary to dealers.(finance and insurance)
August 14, 2006... It can be the industry's version of the old question: what came first, the chicken or the egg? In this case, the question pondered by dealers is what do I sell in addition to a new vehicle on a limited loan amount: A) parts, garments and...

BRP Outlander ATVs recalled for fire hazard.(ATV Report)
August 14, 2006... About 11,300 BRP 2006 Outlander 650 and 800 ATVs and 2007 Can-Am Outlander 650 ATVs are being recalled. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The operator could ride with their foot engaging the rear brake without noticing. This can cause the rear...

Suzuki recalls 300 Eiger over suspension.(ATV Report)
August 14, 2006... American Suzuki Motor Corp., Brea, Calif., is recalling about 300 of its 2006 model year Eiger ATVs. The company says the mounting brackets used to secure the left-front suspension arm to the ATV frame may not have been welded completely...

Virginia off-road dealers must be licensed.(ATV Report)
August 14, 2006... Beginning July 1, ATV and off-road motorcycle dealers and distributors in Virginia must obtain a motorcycle dealer's license. For more information, visit the DMV Web site, www.dmvNOW.com. Also effective July 1, anyone who buys a new...

Polaris receives military order.(ATV Report)
August 14, 2006... Polaris Industries Inc. has received another delivery order from the United States Department of Defense's Special Operations Command to ship an additional 50 ATVs for military applications. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Polaris is currently...

Penn. awards $1.8 million for recreation, conservation, planning.(Pennsylvania)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Pennsylvania has earmarked $1.78 million to fund 33 projects designed to benefit outdoor recreation and natural resource protection in the state. The grants will provide support for strategic community planning and infrastructure...

Lazareth's Quadrazuma.(ATV Report)
August 14, 2006... French tuning company Lazareth Auto-Moto, led by designer Ludovic Lazareth, has revealed its latest project, a road-going ATV called the Quadrazuma. Last year Powersports Business reported on a number of four-wheelers developed for the...

Safety regulations may tighten: feds takes first step toward making safety standards mandatory, a change from the current voluntary regs.(Consumer Product Safety Commission)
August 14, 2006... The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has taken an initial step to change federal ATV safety and manufacturing standards. The new standards, if ultimately approved, would: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Make mandatory the...

KTM-powered sport quad part of Polaris' new lineup: company plans 23 off-road products for '07.(ATV)
August 14, 2006... Following up on six new four-wheelers in 2006, Polaris' 23 off-road product offerings for 2007 include a 525 Outlaw sport quad engineered through the strategic partnership between Polaris and KTM, a new 800cc Sportsman, an updated Ranger XP...

Sloan's Supercenter.(POWER PROFILE)
August 14, 2006... CONTACT 2233 NW Broad St. Murfreesboro, Tenn. 615-893-0150 www.sloansmotorcycle.com OWNER Family held corporation; Bill Sloan, founder and CEO; Curtis Sloan, executive vice president and general manager. Partners...

Pro Power.(Pro Power Sports & Marine)(Company overview)
August 14, 2006... CONTACT Pro Power Sports & Marine 6781 Highway 10 NW Anoka, Minn. 55303 763-576-1706 www.propoweronline.com OWNER Todd Amar and Mike Worthington BUSINESS PROFILE Pro Power Sports & Marine is a...

Kawasaki, Suzuki boost production in Japan.(Cycle Report)
August 14, 2006... Japan's four major motorcycle manufacturers produced 133,684 units in June, up 4,580 units or 3.5 percent compared to the production of 129,104 units in June 2005. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Combined production for the first six months of...

Kymco recalls Agility 50 scooter.(Cycle Report)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... KYMCO USA, the U.S. importer and distributor of vehicles by Kwang Yang Motor Company, Ltd., said Agility 50 scooters were inadvertently shipped without an engine "stop" switch. The KYMCO Quality Control Department has determined that a...

More than 1,500 take part in Mid-Ohio Dealer Ride.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... More than 1,500 riders from 140 motorcycle dealerships in seven states participated in the 16th Mid-Ohio Dealer Ride, an opportunity to ride the 2.4-mile, 15-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The Dealer Ride took place Aug. 6,...

Ducati offers another repli-racer.(Cycle Report)
August 14, 2006... Ducati enthusiasts who may have missed out on ordering the Desmosedici RR, or simply couldn't find the funds, have another chance to pick up a limited edition repli-racer. The 2007 Ducati 999s Team USA edition is a celebration of Ducati's...

H-D offers new models, engine: Harley-Davidson also has placed fuel injection on all of its '07 models.(MOTORCYCLE)
August 14, 2006... Harley-Davidson plans to retail two new VRSC models, an all-new FXSTC Softail Custom, a limited edition 50th anniversary Sportster and 17 new color combinations for 2007. The company also has an all-new Twin Cam 96 engine and six-speed...

Buell plans eight models for '07.(MOTORCYCLE)
August 14, 2006... Buell Motorcycle Company plans to enter 2007 with eight models in four categories. The line-up includes the Lightning City X XB9SX (MSRP: $8,895), XB12S ($10,495), XB12Ss ($10,495) and XB12Scg ($10,495); Fire-bolt XB9R ($8,895) and XB12R...

Victory's ninth year features nine models: Polaris unveils plan to enter the luxury touring segment.(MOTORCYCLE)
August 14, 2006... Victory's 2007 model line represents the brand's ninth year and features nine models, all shown at Polaris Industries' recent dealer meeting in Orlando, Fla. Included in the upcoming line-up is a new long-haul bike called the Kingpin Tour,...

IronHorse unveils bold changes for '07: V-twin manufacturer redesigns flagship cruiser and changes production strategy.
August 14, 2006... FORT WORTH, Texas -- American IronHorse on July 24th uncovered its 2007 line-up surprise--a redesigned Slammer that drew rave initial reviews from dealers. The cruiser was hidden under a black covering as a reported 250 dealers and press...

Kite tubes pulled off market.(PWC Report)
August 14, 2006... The growing list of accidents involving kite tubes, high-flying inflatables featured in a recent issue of Powersports Business, has prompted one tube's maker, SportsStuff of Omaha, Neb., to pull the WeGo Kite Tube off the market as of July 11....

PWC-specific bans still cropping up.(personal water craft )(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Recent victories on the national parks front don't appear to be enough to keep communities from considering their own PWC-restrictive legislation. Case and point? Branstable, Mass, which recently proposed a ban on launching PWC from the public...

World finals to remain in Havasu: special events, Hall of Fame announcements part of event's 25th anniversary.(PWC)
August 14, 2006... After a winter and spring of much speculation regarding the historic 25th running of the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals, the IJSBA has announced that the event will in fact return to the city that has hosted the race...

Yamaha makes Phazer production changes.(Snowmobile Report)
August 14, 2006... Yamaha Motor Corp. announced final production changes for its new Phazer as it comes off the production line in Japan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Final changes include a stronger seat frame for durability, an oil cooler to regulate engine...

Polaris tightens up snow/PG & A functions.(Polaris Industries Inc. (Medina, Minnesota))(Scott Swenson appointed as general manager )(Cassie Murphy appointed as marketing manager)(Michael Erickson appointed for product management )(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Two upper-level transplants to the snowmobile group will maintain their roles in the parts, garments and accessories group at Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, Minn. Scott Swenson will remain general manager of both units, and Cassie Murphy...

Explaining a steep sales drop-off: Minnesota manufacturers saw their snowmobile sales drop by as much as 90 percent early this year.(SNOWMOBILE)
August 14, 2006... The two Minnesota-based snowmobile manufacturers reported dramatic quarterly losses in July, with most of the blame laying in the snowmobile divisions. Polaris Industries Inc., based in Medina, reported a 90 percent decrease in snowmobile...

The new (but different) Redline.(Redline Holding LLC)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... It has the same name and some of the same parts, but this is definitely not the original Redline Revolt snowmobile. Redline Holding LLC, based in West Fargo, N.D., hopes to have sellable units available by the end of the year. The Revolt uses a...

Custom Chrome names new president.(Holger Mohr appointed)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Holger Mohr has accepted a new position as president of Custom Chrome while continuing to act as managing director of Custom Chrome Europe. He will report to John Lott, CEO of Global Motorsport. "Holger will be responsible for Custom...

Featherlite merges with Universal Trailer Holdings.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... Featherlite, Inc., the Cresco, Iowa-based manufacturer and marketer of specialty aluminum trailers, transporters and luxury motorcoaches, has signed a definitive agreement to merge with a subsidiary of Universal Trailer Holdings Corp.,...

Camoplast acquires Tatou.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... Camoplast Inc. has purchased ATV undercarriage specialist Tatou, Inc. Privately held Tatou, Grand-Mere, Quebec, specializes in snow undercarriage systems for ATVs. The company's products are sold throughout Canada, the United States and...

Pro Moto Billet acquires Fastway Performance.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Pro Moto Billet announced it has purchased Fastway Performance. As part of the acquisition, all of Fastway Performance's manufacturing, sales, racer support and marketing will be relocated to Pro Moto Billet's corporate headquarters in...

Carlisle Power names new president.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... Carlisle Power Transmission, a division of Carlisle Companies, Inc., has named a new president, William Marcum. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carlisle Power Transmission is a leading manufacturer of snowmobile and ATV drive belts. Marcum...

Custom Chrome updates catalog.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... Custom Chrome Inc., Morgan Hill, Calif., showed updates to its parts catalog while displaying product in Sturgis. Under new management, the company is centering its growth plans on investing in research and development as well as distribution....

Taiwan alliance develops LED headlamp.(DIGEST)
August 14, 2006... A Taiwan research alliance consisting of automobile and motorcycle producers, aftermarket suppliers, electronics companies and research institutes has developed a light-emitting diode (LED) headlamp. The fourth-generation LED headlamp...

Connecting online shoppers with dealers: that's the aim of a new service that two companies are starting up this fall.(AFTERMARKET)
August 14, 2006... A program connecting online shoppers with their regional dealers--used successfully for years in the auto industry--is coming to the powersports industry. Two companies, NADAguides.com and PowersportsTV.com, are partnering to provide the...

Making F & I a full-time benefit: Alabama dealership will use new financing service as part of a year-long effort to modernize its business.(S & W, finance and insurance)
August 14, 2006... S & W, the Alabama powersports dealership involved in a year-long effort to modernize its business, is not unlike other powersports dealerships in how it handles F & I opportunitiess. "Many dealers turn the F & I responsibilities over to...

I shock Rhino shock.(HOTPRODUCTS)
August 14, 2006... Specifications -- The F18 model Rhino shock is marketed for the Yamaha 450 and 660 Rhino UTVs. Features include external adjustable spring pre-load, rebound damping controls, multi-stage progressive valving. Has billet aluminum components. ...

Redtail snowmobile trailer turn-out kit.(HOTPRODUCTS)
August 14, 2006... Specifications -- Redtail Intemational LLC has a new trailer bed mat with guides for steering snowmobiles off of enclosed or open trailers. Benefits -- The polyethylene guides provide assistance and protection. Eight interlocking pieces...

Goodson boring bar micrometer.(HOTPRODUCTS)
August 14, 2006... Specifications -- Goodson Tools and Supplies has a boring bar micrometer serving as an OE Replacement Box Micrometer. It fits 3/8" H Tool Holder (Order No. 777-MIC) or 9/16" H x 13/16" W Tool Holder (Order No. 777S-MIC). Will not accommodate...

ASV F3 Series Holiday package deal.(HOTPRODUCTS)
August 14, 2006... Specifications -- The F3 Holiday Pro Pack includes quad-specific packages. Each gift package contains: F3 Series Pro Model Clutch with quick adjuster, pivot bearings, rotator sleeve and dust cover, matching F3 Series front brake lever, and a...

Kustomwerks new Pro Image gas tanks.(HOTPRODUCTS)
August 14, 2006... Specifications -- Kustomwerks, a national motorcycle parts and accessories distributor, has new Pro Image gas tanks. Each tank holds approximately 4.7 gallons and uses a late '96 thru 2005 screw in gas cap. The new tanks are tapped 1/8"-27 NPT...

MRP Ruckus exhaust.(HOTPRODUCTS)
August 14, 2006... Specifications -- MRP Performance has a new stainless steel exhaust offering for the four-stroke Honda Ruckus 50. MRP Part # N-MP-02047 Benefits -- MRP says the system increases top-end speed by about 6 mph, adds a mean sound and gives it a...

Improving profit starts with sales training.(SOLUTIONS)
August 14, 2006... This series of articles recaps some of the opportunities that were uncovered by Gart Sutton & Associates power-sports specialists during consulting visits. These opportunities are followed by recommended actions that address the issues. ...

The biggest challenges for state dealer associations.(SOLUTIONS)
August 14, 2006... In July, I had an opportunity to speak to the Colorado Dealers Association at its annual meeting in Denver. After updating them on the latest activities of the National Council of Dealer Associations (NCMDA), which has played a role this year...