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HOT NEWS – July 28, 2003

Fox fights counterfeits
A joint investigation by Fox Racing, Inc., Trademark Management, Inc., and Northern California law enforcement authorities has resulted in the seizure of more than 2,400 pieces of counterfeit goods worth an estimated $40,000.
The raid on J&R Crafts in Red Bluff, Calif., was the result of several months of investigative work, according to a Fox spokesman. If convicted, the owners of J&R Crafts could face up to three years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
According to a recent report from the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition, the worldwide counterfeit market is worth an estimated $350 billion, roughly 7% of the world trade.
“Fox Racing has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to product counterfeiters,” said Geoff Fox, founder of Fox Racing.
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, Pickerington, Ohio, each year recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling.
This year, the museum announced 13 new members who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 5, 2003. This Class of 2003 will join 285 other legends already inducted:
C.E. Altman. Promoted the Houston Astrodome dirt track races that for many years were the kickoff for the AMA racing season. Pioneer of AMA Supercross events including Houston Astrodome and Pontiac Silverdome.
Debbie Evans. First woman to compete in FIM World Championship Trials event. Top rider in Women’s World Cup Trials competition. Motorcycle stunt rider in over 200 movies and television programs.
Tom Heininger. Co-fFounder of Webco performance equipment company. Promoter of motorcycling sport and business in 1950s, ’60s, ’70s. President of Motorcycle Industry Council in 1972.
Linton Kuchler. Executive secretary of the AMA in the 1950s and 1960s. Following a stint with NASCAR, he was brought back to lead the AMA in the mid-1970s. Helped launch the creation of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation.
Del Kuhn. 1950 AMA National Enduro Champion. Three-time winner of the Greenhorn Enduro. Class A Enduro Pacific Coast Championship winner in 1948, ’50, ’51, ’52.
Jeremy McGrath. Brought to AMA Supercross a previously unseen level of showmanship. Seven AMA Supercross Championships, Two World Supercross Championships, One AMA Motocross Championship.
Scott Parker. Nine-time AMA Grand National Champion, all-time record 94 Grand National Championship race wins, including 55 AMA National Mile wins, 35 AMA Half-Mile wins. Three-time winner of AMA Pro Athlete of the Year.
Duke Pennell. Five-time AMA “Flagman of the Year,” worked for nearly five decades as a race track official starter.
Jay Springsteen. Three-time AMA Grand National Champion with over 40 National Championship flat track race wins.
Fred Toscani. The last Class A National Champion. Won 9 AMA National titles from 1933 to 1938.
Theresa Wallach. Motorcycle adventurer and author who founded Easy Motorcycle Riding Schools, Inc. and published a training manual of same name. First Vice President of Women’s International Motorcycle Association.
Bruce Walters. Midwestern dealer and event promoter who was largely responsible for the success of the AMA Sanctioned Peoria TT.
Donnie Hansen, Danny LaPorte, Johnny O’Mara and Chuck Sun, the 1981 United States Trophee des Nations and Motocross des Nations Team. This team swept the 250cc Trophee des Nations and the 500cc Motocross des Nations, beginning a 13-year period of domination by the United States of America teams. LaPorte and O’Mara are the first “double inductees” having been inducted on their individual performances in 2000, and now as part of these teams.
Aps Buys Dealership
America’s PowerSports (APS)
, one of the nation’s largest retail dealer networks, has acquired Pacific Motorsports of Oceanside, Calif. The dealership, which carries Suzuki, Sea-Doo and Kawasaki, is located one block from MotoPro, another APS dealership. MotoPro carries Honda, Yamaha, and Polaris. Financial details were not disclosed. Jack Hall, owner and general manager of Pacific for more than 20 years, will retire, but his two daughters will continue with the store.
APS has nine dealerships located in California, Texas and Alabama, and generates annual revenues of close to $100 million.
Triumph Offers Financing
Triumph Motorcycles (America)
, Newnan, Ga., and GE Retail Sales Finance have launched a new Triumph Consumer Credit program, an offering the manufacturer says should help dealers sell more motorcycles, parts and accessories and build greater customer loyalty and repeat business.
Offering consumers additional purchasing power as well as closed-end financing, the Consumer Credit program will, according to Triumph, offer dealer benefits including low discount rates; 90 days deferred interest/payments and low monthly payments after the promotional period; special seasonal promotions; fast credit of sales; no start-up or processing costs; a free terminal; customized applications, cards and in-store promotional materials.
KMC Recalls 3,000 V-Force
Kawasaki Motor Corp., USA
, Irvine, Calif. is recalling 3,000 units of its KFX700 “V-Force”ATV because of a faulty throttle cable adjuster. Kawasaki says the throttle cable adjuster on the carburetor can loosen during operation, causing it to stick, which can cause the rider to lose control and possibly crash. The manufacturer says it has received three reports of the throttle sticking because of the faulty throttle cable adjuster. There was one report of a consumer suffering minor injuries.
The Kawasaki KFX700 V-Force machines being recalled were sold at Kawasaki dealers nationwide from March 2003 through June 2003 for about $6,500.
Piaggio on the Block?
IMMSI
, the holding company of Italian financier Roberto Colaninno, said it expects to sign a contract to take over Vespa scooter maker Piaggio group, reports Reuters. IMMSI, in a prepared statement, said it expects the deal to close before the start of September. The firm said it had completed due diligence together with Morgan Grenfell Private Equity, a Deutsche Bank-controlled fund which owns about 86% of the scooter and engine manufacturer.
Yuasa Plans merger
Japan’s Yuasa Corporation (YUASA)
, Osaka, and Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd. (JSB), Kyoto, have agreed in principle to merge under a jointly incorporated holding company, a move that would create one of the world’s largest storage battery companies with 12,000 employees and annual sales of $2.249 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement in principle, the two companies will jointly establish a holding company, called GS Yuasa Corporation, and become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the holding company.
In 2002, YUASA had operating earnings of $34.9 million on revenues of $1.124 billion while JSB posted operating earnings of $20.4 million on revenues of $1.116 billion.
Dowco names Vp-sales
Michael Kaczkowski
has been named vice president of sales for DOWCO, Inc., a leading manufacturer of all-weather protection products and accessories for the powersports and recreational marine industries based in Manitowoc, Wisc. Kaczkowski is a 21-year manufacturing veteran with experience in sales and marketing management.
Indian Promotes O’Hagan
Indian Motorcycle Corporation (IMC)
, Gilroy, Calif., has promoted Fran O’Hagan, 38, to executive vice president. O’Hagan joined IMC in 2001, and most recently served as senior vice president of Sales, Service, Marketing and Product Management. Prior to joining IMC, O’Hagan was vice president of Retail Operations for Jaguar Cars and, before that, oversaw regional sales and marketing for BMW and managed the launch of the M-Class sport-utility for Mercedes-Benz. IMC’s June 2003 year-to-date retail sales grew 8% over the comparable 2002 period. The manufacturer serves approximately 200 Indian motorcycle dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
BMW Milestone
BMW
sold a total of 103,020 motorcycles worldwide during 2002, 8.1% more units than it moved during 2001.
SportbikeS.com Grows
SportbikeS.com
, Camarillo, Calif., acquired the Web site SportbikeWorld.com, a leading Internet stop for sportbike-related Web traffic comprised of a forum with more than 15,700 members and a gallery with close to 5,000 photos.
As a part of the deal, SportbikeWorld founder Robert Basil was appointed director of SportbikeWorld.com and editor in chief of Sportbike News. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
SportbikeS.com — www.sportbikes.com — is the home of the Sportbike Riders’ Association, an online/offline based organization, which offers sportbike riders a comprehensive motorcycle towing and roadside assistance package and close to 100 sources for direct discounts on bikes, track time, motorcycle parts, accessories, and more.
Japan’s MC Output Slows
Japan’s motorcycle production in May 2003 dropped to 116,403 units, a decline of about 28,985 units, or 19.9%, as compared to the 145,388 units registered during May 2002, reports the Japan Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (JAMA).
Total production, by manufacturer, during May 2003:
Honda – 42,897 units
Yamaha – 38,571 units
Suzuki – 26,941 units
Kawasaki – 7,970 units
Others – 24 units
The production total from all manufacturers for the period from January 2003 through May 2003 was recorded as 811,058 units, down 49,803 units or 5.8% compared to the production of 860,861 units recorded for the same period 2002.
JAMA says Japan’s motorcycle exports during May 2003 were 73,645 units, down 15,728 units or 17.6% over the 89,373 units recorded for the same month 2002. The total value of motorcycles exported during May 2003 was $368.02 million, including $255.35 million for vehicles and $112.67 million for parts.
Total exports, by manufacturer, during May 2003:
Honda – 25,105 units
Yamaha – 24,599 units
Suzuki – 20,114 units
Kawasaki – 3,827 units
Of the May 2003 exports, an estimated 29,712 units were received in the U.S., down from the 39,246 units in May 2002.
Yamaha Goes Alternative
Yamaha Motor Co. said it has developed a methanol fuel cell perfectly designed for motorcycles. The fuel cell, which measures about 40 centimeters square, makes use of a chemical reaction between methanol and water instead of the hydrogen-oxygen reaction normally used in fuel cells. Yamaha Motor said the methanol-based fuel cell is better for motorcycles because it can be smaller than hydrogen-based models.

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