Jun. 2, 2008 – Timeline

Timeline
Here are some of the noteable events that have occurred during Powersports Business’ 10 years of producing a business news magazine.

1998
•The promotion of Jim Gentz, president of Yamaha Motorsports Group, reflects widespread changes at Yamaha.
•The first group of Victory Motorcycle dealers is announced.
•Excelsior-Henderson opens its plant in Belle Plaine, Minn.
•Harley-Davidson acquires Buell.

1999
•Polaris expands its five-speed ATV line.
•Motorcycle sales increases for the seventh consecutive year.
•SEC sued Great White Marine and Recreation Inc., powersports distributor, for selling unregistered shares and disseminated false information.
•Polaris sues Arctic Cat, saying it infringed on a patent Polaris held for variable suspension systems on snowmobiles.
•ATV sales increases 35 percent.
•Kimpex seeks bankruptcy protection.

2000
•GPS tools made available for powersports.
•Harley-Davidson markets remain at historically high levels.
•After years of rumors, Honda enters the PWC market.
•Kawasaki plans to sell direct online.
•V-Twin show planned for Cincinnati.
•Global acquires Motorcycle Stuff.

2001
•Honda leads in OEM unit production race.
•Powersports companies aided rescue effort for Sept. 11.
•Harley released its first true high-performance cruiser with the V-Rod.
•BRP merges its ATV division with snow and water division.
•Motorsport Aftermarket Group purchases Kuryakyn and White Brothers.
•Tucker Rocky regroups.
•Suzuki plans to build ATV plant in U.S.

2002
•Triumph moves forward after one of its plants is partly destroyed by one the biggest industrial fires in Britain’s history.
•New Global management team moves to the metric market.
•EPA puts emission standards for new non-road engines in effect.
•U.S. motorcycle market hits $24 billion.
•U.S. PWC market hits $1.55 billion.
•Aprilia and Piaggio join forces to acquire materials and components at more competitive prices.

2003
•Deere starts selling ATVs.
•More than 750,000 people attended EICMA, Italy’s motorcycle show.
•Dealers push for franchise laws for better opportunities and to stabilize relations with OEMs.
•GE enters powersports industry.
•Suzuki launches scooters in the United States.
•California sues Corbins, saying it misled investors involved in its Sparrow electric car operation.
•BRP, John Deere form alliance to develop and market wheeled utility vehicles.

2004
•Four hurricanes hit Florida and cause billions of dollars in damage.
•Polaris exits the marine business.
•Parts Unlimited plans $45 million in facilities expansions for the following year.
•BRP sells industrial unit to Camoplast.
•Harley continued its run of record earnings after the second quarter.
•Polaris reports record sales and earnings after the second quarter.
•ADP purchases Lightspeed.
•Arctic Cat builds its first ATV engine.
•S&S Cycle plans to expand its operation to include a 165,000 square feet two-building facility.
•Powersports industry hit $38 billion.

2005
•Polaris completes its purchase of 24.9 percent interest in KTM.
•Kawasaki makes several management changes.
•Yamaha celebrates its 50th anniversary.
•Investors sue Harley-Davidson over stock market activity.
•Piaggio plan to enter U.S. ATV market with its Derbi brand.
•U.S. new cycle sales pass 1 million units.

2006
•AMA board names new president, Robert Dingman.
•INTERMOT, Germany’s motorcycle show, attracts more than 187,000 visitors.
•LeMans announced it will build new warehouses in North America and Europe.
•Five Cabela’s stores to become full-service Kawasaki dealerships.
•KTM ends possible union with Polaris.
•John Deere stops selling ATVs.
•Triumph names new U.S. CEO after record month in sales.
•Arctic Cat and Piaggio plans to enter a new partnership.
•California Attorney General’s Office filed a $19.6 million lawsuit against Yamaha because of air pollution laws.

2007
•Preowned bike sales increases, unlike new unit sales.
•Piaggio Group extends its U.S. outlets to a limited number of Ford, GM and BMW auto dealerships.
•UTV sales grew when other new powersports unit sales were down.
•Housing market hit new lows.
•KYMCO expands its joint venture with U.S. affiliate.
•Motorcyclist fatalities were up 5 percent in 2006.
•Survey: V-twin custom sales were down significantly.
•Global’s reorganization includes sales focus and layoffs.
•After a quarter loss of $1.6 million, Arctic Cat announces numerous organizational changes.
•After five years of development and three years of market research, BRP launches the Spyder, a three-wheel vehicle.

2008
•V-twin manufacturer American IronHorse files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
•Honda says it will end U.S. bike production next year as part of a global strategy to improve its products’ competitiveness.
•ndustry sales fall 10 percent in 2007, a second straight year of decrease.
•Ducati North America sales pass 10,000 units for the first time.
•American Honda expands its dealer network support.