Motorcycle Black Book values up slightly
May 9, 2013
Valuations for motorcycles and PWC are up slightly in May, Black Book’s Managing Editor Ricky Beggs reports. The cruiser and off-road segments both reported the highest increases among motorcycles, each up 0.9 percent. On/off-road bikes followed with a 0.8 percent increase, while the scooter segment... Read more »
Harley-Davidson dealers top PSI scores for second year in a row
May 7, 2013
Harley-Davidson dealerships received the highest score in the 2013 Pied Piper Satisfaction Index (PSI) released this week. However, Suzuki dealers ranked No. 1 in the PSI-Internet Lead Effectiveness study. Look for more on the PSI results in the May 27 issue of Powersports Business. The following is... Read more »
Ride Now taps Dealer Spike for digital marketing and sales automation
May 7, 2013
Dealership chain Ride Now has chosen Dealer Spike for its digital marketing and sales automation tools for all of its 27 dealerships across the country. In its first month with Dealer Spike, Ride Now saw a 391 percent increase in leads, and the results have only grown better and more consistent since... Read more »
GE Capital to finance commercial purchases of GEM
May 7, 2013
GE Capital’s Equipment Finance business has signed a three-year agreement to provide financing for commercial purchases of Global Electric Motorcars (GEM). Owned by Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), GEM produces electric low-speed vehicles that are typically used by municipalities, hotels, resorts,... Read more »
BMW 2014 F 800 GS Adventure bike unveiled
May 7, 2013
News release Building upon a track record of success in the large-capacity and mid-size enduro segments, BMW Motorrad proudly offers the new F 800 GS Adventure. Based on the dynamic, off-road-oriented F 800 GS, the Adventure model offers an optimal combination of agility, touring practicality and off-road... Read more »
Italian Husqvarna plant shuts down
May 7, 2013
New Husqvarna owner Pierer Industries AG, a company owned by KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, has shuttered Husqvarna’s production facility in Varese, Italy. Autoevolution.com reported that Husqvarna’s production will move to one of KTM’s plants in Austria. To read more from Autoevolution.com, click here.
Kawasaki names ex-auto exec new chief marketing and sales officer
May 2, 2013
News release Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) today announced the hiring of Richard N. Beattie, an experienced automotive industry executive, to the new position of Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, reporting directly to Tak Teranishi, KMC President. Beattie will be responsible for marketing, sales,... Read more »
MIC reports dip in Q1 motorcycle sales
May 2, 2013
With OEM fiscal reports and the RBC Capital/Powersports Business dealer survey reporting a slump in first quarter motorcycle sales, it’s no surprise that the Motorcycle Industry Council delivered the same news. Through March, total motorcycle sales, including ATVs, were down 13.3 percent. Off-highway... Read more »
Spader dealers report higher sales and profits in first two months
May 2, 2013
The latest industry composites provided to Powersports Business from Spader Business Management show that Spader dealers reported higher sales and profits during the first two months of the year, compared to the first two months of 2012. Considering year-to-date dollars in February, company sales increased... Read more »
Royal Enfield capacity set for 175,000 bikes in 2013
May 2, 2013
Royal Enfield on Tuesday started commercial production from its new $2.1 million manufacturing facility in Oragadam, India, giving the Eicher Motors-owned brand a production capacity of 175,000 bikes for 2013. The plant is spread over 50 acres, and will begin with a production capacity of 150,000 in... Read more »
