HOT NEWS
MOTORCYCLE HALLS OF FAME PLAN MERGER
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located near Columbus, Ohio, and the National Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, in Anamosa, Iowa, have completed plans to consolidate their respective halls-of-fame, inductees and procedures under the banner of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
As part of the agreement, the Iowa museum will change its name to the National Motorcycle Museum, and all members of that museum’s hall of fame will be added to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Ohio. The two museums will continue their own independent operations and management, and continue to cooperate sharing motorcycles, memorabilia, art, and archived and exhibit material.
For details, contact Mark Mederski, executive director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, at 614/856-2222, or Nancy Keedy of the National Motorcycle Museum at 319/462-3925.
HONDA RECORD EARNINGS
Honda Motor Co. reported that its consolidated net profit for the six months ended Sept. 30, 2004, inched up 0.9% from the same period last year to a record high of $2.174 billion, aided by strong sales of motorcycles and automobiles. Sales of motorcycles climbed 25.2% to 5.28 million units while those of automobiles rose 8.5%to 1.57 million units. North American motorcycle unit sales climbed to 278,000 units from 239,000 units in the same period last year, Honda said. Overall sales grew 3.5% to a record $37.521 billion, it said.
A good showing in the auto and motorcycle divisions more than offset exchange losses from the yen’s appreciation against the dollar, and increased sales and management costs, the company said.
WHAT’S IN A NAME? VOLVO/FORD/YAMAHA?
Yamaha Motor Co., Japan’s second-largest motorcycle producer, soon could begin supplying its newly developed sport utility vehicle engines to Volvo, according to published reports in Japan.
The move, which could come as early as this year, will mark the first time that Yamaha will supply engines to Volvo. The Japanese firm has developed a fuel-efficient 4.4-liter V-8 engine. Yamaha reportedly plans to ship 15,000 to 20,000 units to Volvo each year for use in its XC90 SUV, which it will market in the US and other countries starting in early 2005. Ford Motor Company acquired Volvo’s automotive operations in 1999.
SUPERTRAPP TO GIVE AWAY YAFFE BIKE
SuperTrapp Industries, Cleveland, Ohio, plans to give away a custom made Paul Yaffe original “super bike” in its 2005 promotion: SuperTrapp, Super Bike, Super Prize. The promotion is open to all U.S. dealers of SuperTrapp V-Twin systems. For every qualifying system sold, the dealer will receive one entry into the lottery drawing.
“The goal of the lottery and giveaway is to increase dealer awareness of SuperTrapp products and increase their incentive to sell those SuperTrapp products,” says Kevin Berger, president of SuperTrapp Industries. After selling a qualifying V-Twin system, dealers must register at www.supertrapp.com/superbike
For more information, visit the SuperTrapp Webs site, or call Michael Schwabe at 330/564.0300 x3819, or e-mail him at Michaels@malonead.com. SuperTrapp, has been a leading manufacturer of performance exhaust systems for a including motorcycles, ATV and automobiles for more than 30 years.
ADVANSTAR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVES
Advanstar Communications Inc., parent company of DealerNews magazine and the industry’s largest annual trade show, the Dealer Expo, has reported improved financial performance for the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2004. However, Advanstar reported a loss for the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2004.
Revenue in the third quarter increased 35.2% to $99.8 million from $73.8 million in the third quarter of 2003. Operating income in the third quarter of 2004 increased $7.9 million, or 79.6%, to $17.8 million from $9.9 million in the third quarter last year. Loss from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2004 declined $14.6 million, or 81.8%, to $3.2 million from $17.8 million in the third quarter last year. Net loss in the third quarter of 2004 was $9.8 million, which includes a $6.6 million loss from discontinued operations related to the sale of its German trade show business, compared to a net loss of $18.1 million in the third quarter of 2003.
Results in the third quarter of 2004 have been improved by the acquisition of the Thomson Healthcare properties completed in October 2003.
For the first nine months of 2004, revenue increased 30.6% to $304.3 million from $233.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. Operating income in the first nine months of 2004 improved $17.2 million, or 52.4%, to $50.0 million from $32.8 million in the first nine months of 2003. Results from continuing operations improved 39.7% to a loss of $11.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 from a loss of $19.7 million for the same period last year. Net loss in the first nine months of 2004 was $21.5 million, which includes a $9.6 million loss from discontinued operations related to the sale of several operations, compared to a net loss of $16.8 million in the same period of 2003. Results in the first nine months of 2004 reflect the acquisition of the Thomson Healthcare properties completed in October 2003.
Based in New York, NY, Advanstar Communications is an international business operation that has 76 business magazines and 21 directories, 58 tradeshows and 36 conferences, numerous Web sites, and a wide range of print and electronic direct marketing.
MOTOVAN TO CARRY DIAMOND PRODUCTS
Diamond Powersports, Inc. , Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said its products will be carried by Motovan Corporation, one of Canada’s largest distributors of aftermarket parts and accessories for the powersports industry. Motovan has been named one of the best managed private companies in Canada. At the same
time, Diamond said year-to-date sales through October were $1,258,305.97 compared to $755,629.65, up 66.5% over the same period last year.
HARLEY INTRODUCES FLEET MODELS
Harley-Davidson has added two Softail models to its special fleet offerings: The FLSTC/I Heritage Softail Classic and the FLSTF/I Fat Boy model. Both models are now available in Peace Officer and Firefighter Special Editions and in Shrine motorcycles.
The Peace Officer Special Edition Softail motorcycles are available in Dark Blue, with unique, updated tank graphics. The Firefighter Special Edition Softail motorcycles feature updated tank graphics and are available in the new Fire Engine Red paint. The Shrine Softail motorcycles are available in the standard Pleasure Colors along with Concord Purple (Jester members only) and Arctic White. The new Special Edition fleet motorcycles will be available Jan. 3, 2005.
There are now five models in the Harley-Davidson Special Edition police lineup: FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide, FLHTC/I Electra Glide Classic, FLHR/I Road King, FLSTC/I Heritage Softail Classic and FLSTF/I Fat Boy motorcycles.
YAMAHA TO FUND LAGUNA SECA UPDATES
Yamaha Motor Corporation is stepping up to fund the track safety improvements required by the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) to homologate Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, round nine of 17 in the 2005 MotoGP World Championship.
“Helping bring the MotoGP World Championship back to the U.S. was an excellent opportunity for us to show our appreciation for our customers and fans,” said Bob Starr, corporate communications manager at Yamaha. “And since this race corresponds with Yamaha’s 50th anniversary, we could think of no better way to celebrate than with over 100,000 U.S. fans.”
Work is scheduled to begin in November, with the first phase to increase runoff area in Turn 9 (Rainey Curve). The Turn 9 bridge will be moved Dec. 22 through 24 to an area between Turns 8A and 9. The track will remain open during this phase of construction.
Other changes being made to the circuit include widening the front straight by moving the outside (riders’ right) wall back and increasing the run-off area in several turns, including Turn 2 (Andretti Hairpin). These changes will be made when the track is shut down completely from May 2–June 15. The paddock will remain operational during this time.
POLARIS TAPS MCKINNEY
Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, Minn., has named McKinney as its agency of record Oct. 28.
Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Durham, N.C., McKinney is an independent operating unit of Havas, a NASDAQ-listed firm that is one of the world’s largest communications companies. McKinney services to Polaris will include strategic planning, creative development and media buying and planning responsibilities for all Polaris brands.
McKinney’s client list includes American Airlines Cargo, Audi of America, Lands’ End, and Travelocity.
Polaris said it will continue its relationships with Denver-based The Integer Group, which handles dealer promotional advertising, and Minneapolis-based public relations firm Weber Shandwick, as well as direct marketing supplier Penn Garritano.
UK CYCLE SALES DOWN 13%
Britain’s Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) says 11,387 two-wheelers, including 2,477 scooters, were sold in the UK in September, up 7% from the 10,686 units sold during September 2003.
Still, total registrations of motorcycles and scooters for the year through September are down. The MCI says a total of 88,300 two-wheelers were sold through September, down 13% from the 101,340 units sold through September 2003.
COOPER HAS RECORD SALES
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Findlay, Ohio, reported a 6% increase in net sales for the third quarter, ended Sept. 30, 2004. Total net sales for the company’s continuing operations increased to $551 million compared to $519 million in the same period last year.
Income from continuing operations in the quarter was $13 million (17 cents per share) compared to $15 million (20 cents per share) in the third quarter of 2003. Including a net loss of $3 million (4 cents per share) from discontinued operations, total net income for the third quarter of 2004 was $10 million (13 cents per share). Net income for the third quarter of 2004 excluding extraordinary items, was $17 million (23 cents per share).
