MOTORCYCLE – Cycle Digest
Triumph Global Sales Up 29%
Triumph Motorcycles says global sales during its 2005 financial year (July ’04 to June ’05) were up 29% from sales in 2004.
The company said sales in the UK were up 10%; North America sales increased by 40%; both France and Switzerland saw rises of 43%; Japan rose 34%, Italy, 25%; and Germany, up 18%.
“A significant contribution to our growth in sales stems from the successful launch of new products and the work we have done with our dealers,” said Tue Mantoni, Commercial Director at Triumph. “These are the most important areas to the consumer and it’s through these two crucial touch-points that we communicate the brand and make the change in our business visible.
Triumph spent its fiscal year 2005 creating a unique retail experience that reflects the Triumph brand, including the launch of a new corporate store design being rolled out to dealers across the globe, Mantoni said. She said the design emphasizes the lifestyle aspect of motorcycling by integrating the display of clothing, accessories, merchandise and the motorcycles themselves.
“For the majority of our customers, the dealership is their primary contact with the Triumph brand. The signals that we send through our dealers and the service that the customer receives define the brand in many ways,” she said.
But product is what attracts consumers, and with the launch of several new models over the last year, including the Speed Triple and Sprint ST, Triumph’s model range is significantly more focused and comprises distinctively designed machines.
In several markets, the demand has outstripped the supply of the new models. In fact, Triumph says there are waiting lists for the Speed Triple and the Sprint ST.
“The fact that you have to wait for your bike makes the ownership experience more rewarding for the people who actually got their hands on one of the first bikes,” Mantoni said.
Triumph’s financial results will be published in full in September. Also look for new product at that time, including two entirely new models.
Triumph America, is located in Newnan, Ga. Triumph America says the ABS version of the Sprint ST will be available in U.S. dealers by September at a MSRP of $11,899.
KTM Holds Adventure Rider Rally
The Second Annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally, “The Rocky Mountain Raid,” was held July 30-31 in Ouray, Colo. Dedicated to the adventure motorcycle experience, KTM’s three day festival was open to all KTM Adventure motorcycle owners.
Organizers say 200 KTM Adventure owners and enthusiasts converged on the small mountain hamlet in southwest Colorado for three days of riding, celebration and camaraderie. Twenty-five states were represented at the Rally, with riders traveling as far as from New England and Florida to attend. Participants were treated to technical seminars, Dakar Rally and Baja 1000 bike overviews, demo rides, special movie screenings of the 2005 Dakar Rally, self guided rides, and a customer appreciation dinner and awards banquet.
“This year’s Rally really exceeded our expectations”, said Scot Harden, Vice President of KTM North America. “The response was fantastic. It was a great opportunity for us to meet with our customers, get feedback on our products and our activities.”
Harden says KTM already is planning the event for next year.