Aug. 10, 2009 – Hot News

Arctic Cat changes its ATV dealer ordering process

Arctic Cat is changing its ATV distribution, allowing dealers to make new unit orders three times per year rather than just once a year.
Arctic Cat officials said dealers now will be making their orders in June, August and January rather than at a summer-time company dealer network show.
“This new approach will allow us to better manage dealer orders and actual retail activity, lower dealer inventories and reduce overall costs so that more dollars will be available for retail programs,” Arctic Cat CEO Chris Twomey said during the company’s recent quarterly report conference call.
Arctic Cat is slated to introduce some of its 2010 ATV lineup early this month and dealers will be ordering that new product as part of the second cycle of orders.
“This is a great opportunity for us to learn this because going forward this is probably the new normal as we think about how we’re going to be producing in the future,” Twomey said of the new dealer ordering system. “We have the opportunity to learn it at a slightly slower time, but this is the way we need to function going forward.”
The new dealer ordering system is being used for the company’s ATV and side-by-sides but not for snowmobiles.

Ducati reorganizes, combines sales and marketing

Ducati North America has announced a reorganization in wake of a challenging retail and currency exchange environment.
Ducati has combined its sales and marketing functions into one group, which will report to the sales and marketing director, Jason Chinnock, who was previously the United States sales director.
Other changes include a consolidation of the sales territories, with the Mid Atlantic region being absorbed into the Northeast and Southeast regions.
DNA’s Business Development department will see two employees leave, although one of those positions will be filled in the near future. Two other internal administration positions have been eliminated, making a net reduction in staff of five positions, or 10 percent.
These changes come as the industry has seen a dropoff in on-road motorcycle retail sales. Ducati, however, says it is posting record highs in market share across North America.

Yamaha announces field sales promotions

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announced two key promotions designed to enhance its national sales organization.
Mike Okano has been promoted to the position of national sales manager for all Yamaha Motorsports products, including motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles and Outdoor Power Equipment. Most recently, Okano served as regional business manager for the Northwest Region. Okano’s new role will see him directing all dealer sales-related activities for the company.
Additionally, Scott Hillard has been promoted to the position of regional business manager for Yamaha’s Northwest Region, replacing the post vacated by Okano. Hillard most recently held the position of district manager in Northern California.

Honda wins motorcycle trademark suit

Honda Motor Co. won its suit against major private motorcycle maker Chongqing Lifan Industry Group Co. Honda said the company pirated its logo, according to a press release issued by Honda.
Honda had sued the Chinese firm to seek a cancellation of its registration of its trademark that is pronounced “Hongda.”
Honda previously filed a complaint with a Chinese government committee that oversees trademarks, but the committee denied the claim, saying the trademarks are distinguishable in Chinese characters.
The Beijing court ruling acknowledged that “Hongda” is confusing, and ordered the government committee to re-examine the issue.

H-D releases special guarantee for Sportsters

Harley-Davidson has released the Ride Free II Guarantee for its Sportster motorcycles. The company is backing their trade-in on Big Twin and V-Rod motorcycles for up to one year, according to a company press release.
The MSRP value used for trade-in will be the factory-delivered MSRP, including factory installed options, of the qualifying new motorcycle excluding parts and accessories, taxes, titles, licenses, set-up/prep charges, extended service plan, GAP coverage and any dealer add-ons.

Dealership University launches marketing subsidiary

Dealership University, a developer of interactive training solutions for the powersports industry, has created a subsidiary that will focus on delivering marketing solutions for powersports dealers.
The new subsidiary, called PowersportsMarketing.com, offers a portfolio of online and offline direct response marketing services, including direct mail,
e-mail marketing, personalized URLs (PURLs), voice broadcasts, video marketing, outbound calling campaigns and search engine marketing.

Destination Daytona founder dies in accident

Bruce Rossmeyer, the founder of multi-line dealership complex Destination Daytona and owner of a number of Harley-Davidson dealerships, was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 30, according to the American Motorcyclist Association.
Rossmeyer was on a ride with a five other motorcyclists in the western part of Wyoming. At about 11 a.m., the group attempted to pass a pickup truck pulling a camping trailer.
The News Journal Online quoted Lt. Shawn Dickerson of the Wyoming Highway Patrol saying, “The pickup slowed and activated his left signal. Four of the motorcycles passed to the left… When Mr. Rossmeyer attempted to pass, the truck made its left turn and he hit the driver’s side door.”
Rossmeyer was the owner of Daytona Beach Harley-Davidson. He also owned a number of other Harley-Davidson dealerships around the country. He was riding to the Sturgis motorcycle rally in Sturgis, S.D., at the time of the accident.
Rossmeyer, also a co-owner of two Daytona Beach area car dealerships. was a father of five and grandfather of seven.
Rossmeyer was a longtime supporter of numerous charitable causes that benefited children. According to the News Journal Online, he helped found and served on the board for Camp Boggy Creek in Cassia, a division of The Hole in the Wall camps; sponsored “Ride for Children,” the camp’s annual charity motorcycle ride; served on the executive committee of Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler counties. psb