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Sept. 6, 2010 – Hot News

Harley-Davidson finalizes sale of European brand

Harley-Davidson has concluded the sale of subsidiary MV Agusta to the Italian motorcycle maker’s former owner, according to a release from Harley.

Claudio Castiglioni and his wholly owned holding company, MV Agusta Motor Holding, will take control of the brand. Castiglioni has served as MV Agusta’s chairman since 2008, when Harley-Davidson acquired the company.

In October 2009, Harley-Davidson announced its intention to sell MV Agusta as part of a new corporate strategy to focus resources on the Harley-Davidson brand. Since then, Harley-Davidson has held discussions with various potential MV Agusta buyers.

“MV Agusta is a proud brand and we wish Mr. Castiglioni and the company’s employees well,” Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell said in the release. “Our decision to divest MV Agusta reflects our strategy to focus our efforts and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to long-term growth.”

Yamaha Motor University starts mobile Web site

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., has launched its Yamaha Motor University (YMU) Sales Resource Center mobile Web site. The site is designed to make sales consultants more effective during the sales process, stated Yamaha in a press release.

The site allows sales consultants to be reached anywhere, and it features real-time information. The site also features a Walk-Around Presentations tool, which gives a reference guide of key features and benefits.

“More customers are using the Internet and mobile devices to educate themselves and they are expecting the same level of product knowledge from the sales consultant,” Bill Kubes, YMU training manager, stated in the release. “Yamaha feels it’s very important to provide the sales network with the right tools to meet customer expectations and that’s why the site was developed.”

Sales consultants are able to sign up for text alerts when new information is added.

Industry veteran petersen leaves ITP/Carlisle

Craig Petersen has left the Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company and its subsidiary Industrial Tire Products (ITP) to pursue new business opportunities. Petersen had been with ITP/Carlisle since 1986, most recently serving as director of sales and marketing for the powersports segment.

“I sincerely enjoyed my time at ITP, watching it grow into an industry leader,” Petersen said in a press release. “Much of the credit for that success goes to the many distributors, dealers, industry leaders and enthusiasts I had the pleasure of working with at ITP. That growth would not have been possible without their support. I’ll miss the day-to-day interaction with my colleagues at ITP and Carlisle, but I look forward to building even more personal and business relationships while focusing on fresh challenges.”

ADP Lightspeed provides dealer performance reports

ADP Lightspeed, a provider of dealer management solutions, launched a new section within its Web site dedicated to Data Services. This section contains industry studies, which will be updated on a regular basis.

Reports within the Data Services section of Adplightspeed.com include parts searched by source and new units by year. These reports will be updated regularly to demonstrate changes in dealership performance across the industry.

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“To be successful in the current market environment, the powersports industry needs accurate information to make informed decisions,” stated Dave Johnson, manufacturer solutions and consulting with ADP Lightspeed. “Our goal is to provide information dealers, manufacturers and distributors need to navigate their business to success.”

KYMCO unveils three new scooters

KYMCO released three new scooter models, which all feature a two-year factory warranty. The models include the Downtown 300i, Like 200i and Super 8 50 2T.

The new Downtown 300i (MSRP: $5,599) has an estimated 69 mpg rating and features an all new four-valve electronic fuel-injected engine. It also has a lighted, under-seat storage space that’s big enough for two helmets and a watertight console compartment for cell phone storage, equipped with a 12V accessory outlet for charging a phone.

Weighing in at 245 pounds, the new Like 200i has a four-stroke, fuel-injected engine and also comes with instrumentation speedometer, odometer, fuel and clock. It retails for $3,399.

A smaller option is the Super 8 50 2T (MSRP: $2,099). With a 49cc engine, the two-stroke features KYMCO’s CVT automatic transmission.

NPA, software provider sign contract extension

National Powersport Auctions (NPA) and LiveBlock Auctions International (LAI), a software provider, have completed a multi-year contract renewal, announced LiveBlock.

As part of this agreement LAI will continue to provide live online auction software and services to NPA through December 2013.

“NPA has worked closely with LAI the last several years to make our NPA Simulcast platform the best in the industry,” Jim Woodruff, COO of NPA, stated in the press release. “We look forward to continuing to set the standard for what can be done with this technology, as well as advancing the exclusive features we’ve developed to enhance the experience for our dealers and maximize returns for our clients.”

Groups launch campaign against ethanol increase

Environment and industry groups have joined together to launch a campaign calling on Congress to require objective and thorough scientific testing before allowing the amount of ethanol in gasoline to be increased, the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) stated in a press release.

The groups are collectively sponsoring an ad, running since July 22, with the tagline, “Say NO to untested E15” in order to bring attention to

consumer safety and environmental protection, the release stated. Their efforts are focused on persuading Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject proposals by some in the ethanol industry to allow the amount of ethanol in gasoline to increase by 50 percent.

Approximately 36 groups have signed a letter going out to leaders of the Senate urging opposition to any amendment to the impending energy bill that would authorize the sale of gasoline with more than 10 percent ethanol. The groups believe more testing is necessary to determine how much ethanol is too much.

“The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned that, if the allowable level of ethanol is raised, it could result in premature engine damage or failure while a bike is being ridden on a highway,” Imre Szauter, AMA government relations manager, stated in the release. “We are also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol.” PSB

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