Dec. 3, 2007 – Aftermarket Digest

Annual Nifty 50 Contest Under Way
For the eighth consecutive year, Ehlert Publishing Group’s editors, including those from Powersports Business, will select 50 products and services they believe to be must-see items at the upcoming Indianapolis Dealer Expo.
All entrants for the annual Nifty 50 contest will be judged on potential marketability and dealer profitability.
To be eligible, products must be displayed at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo in February and be ready for delivery in the 2008 calendar year.
Deadline for companies to submit Nifty 50 entries is Dec. 17.
The first 25 winners of the Nifty 50 contest will be announced in the Jan. 21 issue of Powersports Business. The second 25 winners of the Nifty 50 will be announced in the Feb. 11 issue.
All Nifty 50 entries must be sent to Associate Editor Karin Gelschus at kgelschus@ehlertpublishing.com. Questions can be directed to Gelschus at 763/383-4413.
Consumer Research to Provide F&I Data to RpmOne
Consumer Research Solutions, a powersports data provider, signed a data license agreement with a dealer F&I provider, RpmOne.
The agreement provides RpmOne access to CRS’ product information and its database of specifications and features on any particular powersports model dating back to the 2004 model year for use in RpmOne’s I.Q. System.
I.Q. System is a Web-based system for streamlining the sale and administration of F&I products. With CRS’ OEM coverage and up-to-date pricing and feature information, RpmOne will have an ongoing source for model year product coverage across all of the major manufacturers to support the I.Q. System.
“We’re very pleased RpmOne has chosen CRS data to support their newly launched I.Q. System,” said Andrea Desilets, CRS’ vice president of sales. “Our goal at CRS is to help clients such as RpmOne save time and resources by being a one-stop provider for top-of-the-line product data for all of the major manufacturers across the powersports market.”
“The RpmOne I.Q. System was designed to increase dealer profits by creating operational efficiencies and accuracy. The data we receive from CRS provides for seamless integration of unit information that allows us to streamline our system for dealers,” said Roslyn Smith, marketing manager at RpmOne.
Forge-Tec Introduces Program For Harley Dealers
Forge-Tec Motorcycle, a manufacturer of high-end aluminum wheels and blanks supplier to many of the industry’s wheel manufacturers, introduced a new wheel program called FHO: For Harleys Only.
This program has been designed exclusively for Harley-Davidson dealers. Forge-Tec kicked off the test program at the Daytona Beach Bike Rally. This program offers the Harley dealer four exclusive one-piece billet forged wheel styles, all designed with each of H-D’s different bike models in mind.
All of the Harley program wheels will be kept in stock at Forge-Tec’s warehouse. These wheels are available in black powder-coated, show polished, luxurious chrome, and new for ’08, all styles (except the Legacy and the Nomad) will be available in the Midnight Series.
For further information on the program or pricing, please contact Forge-Tec Motorcycle directly at 888/367-4385 or www.forgetecmotorcycle.com.
Bosski Wagons Seeing Success With Ride Now Partnership
In the past few months, more than 30 new dealers have started stocking Bosski ATV Wagon trailers in the sunbelt section of the United States, according to a company press release.
“These dealers want to carry products you can’t get at the big box stores or even the OEM dealer down the street, so they are looking for ways to increase their profits with a specialized product like ours,” said Keith Evans of Bosski.
A large portion of the expansion is due to Bosski’s partnership with the Ride Now Powersports Group, the largest powersports retailer in the United States.
Bosski reports its overall ATV Wagon trailer sales are up, with dealers who sold the trailers in 2006 and again this year reporting a 30 percent sales increase.
Cobra Engineering To Have Full Line of Raider Accessories
Cobra Engineering released a new Swept Speedster exhaust system for Yamaha’s Raider, what the company calls the first aftermarket exhaust for the new cruiser.
In addition to the exhaust system, Cobra will be offering several traditional style and performance options for the Raider, including Speedster Slashdowns and Dragster staggered exhausts. These will be complemented with a full line of accessories, such as a sissy bar, luggage rack, floorboards, freeway bars, saddlebag supports and an assortment of chromed billet items.
By the time Raider riders are ready for the spring riding season, Cobra will have all the performance products (exhausts and Fi2000 fuel-injection tuner) and accessories available for them.
The Swept Speedster system features full-length 2.5-inch heatshields finished off with slash cut ends. Expected to be in dealerships in February, the Swept Speedsters incorporate the Power Port crossover chamber, which increases horsepower while lowering the sound levels over a traditional shotgun system.
Brembo Completes Sale of Auto Brake Component Division
Hayes Lemmerz International and Brembo S.p.A. announced the sale of Hayes Lemmerz Automotive Brake Components division to Brembo North American, subsidiary of Brembo S.p.A., stated the companies’ press release.
Brembo North America has obtained all the stock of two Hayes Lemmerz subsidiary companies that own the brake manufacturing operations in Homer, Mich., and Apodaca, Mexico and certain assets used in connection with the division’s sales, marketing and engineering group located in Hayes Lemmerz’ headquarters in Northville, Mich.
The amount of the transaction is about $58 million, debt-free.
Hayes Lemmerz manufactures brake rotors and drums for the North American passenger car and light truck markets. psb