Nov. 12, 2007 – ATV Report

Yamaha Announces New Group President, PR Manager
Yamaha Motor Corp. announced the appointment of Henio Arcangeli Jr. to the position of president of its Motorsports Group.
In this leadership role, Arcangeli hopes to capitalize on the strengths of Yamaha’s motorcycle, ATV, side-by-side, snowmobile and outdoor power equipment groups under a unified direction to help the company excel in a continuously changing retail environment.
Prior to this role, Arcangeli served as Yamaha’s vice president for field sales and marketing where he focused on the marketplace, traveling extensively and visiting many dealerships throughout the country.
“This is an exciting and positive development for our motorsports group as we focus on providing the highest level of service and support for dealers and customers nationwide,” said Masato Adachi, president of Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
The company also hired Van Holmes as public relations manager for the company’s ATV/side-by-side department. Among his responsibilities, Holmes will serve as the department’s new primary media contact.
“We’re excited to have Van come on board as the new Yamaha ATV/side-by-side public relations manager,” said Yamaha Marketing Manager Steve Nessl. “Van’s PR experience combined with his enthusiasm for Yamaha’s brand and product makes him a perfect fit in his new role.”
Holmes joined Yamaha’s Motorsports division in September, bringing more than seven years of corporate communications and public relations experience. He had been consulting with Yamaha’s ATV/side-by-side department since March 2006. He will work out of Yamaha’s Cypress, Calif., headquarters.
John Deere Recalls About 5,400 Gator UTVs
John Deere & Co. has voluntarily recalled more than 5,000 John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported Oct. 17.
The recall, which involves about 5,400 Gators, was issued because the brake calipers in the front of the UTVs might have been installed incorrectly, causing the vehicle to pull to one side during braking. This poses an injury hazard to consumers, although no incidents have been reported to the CPSC.
The Gator models affected are the XUV 620i Gas, XUV 850 Diesel, HPX 4X4 Diesel and HPX 4X4 Gas. Model serial numbers affected are available on the commission’s Web site.
The UTVs were sold at John Deere dealerships from June-September for between $8,500-$10,600. All were manufactured in the United States.
Cobra Appoints National Sales Manager
Cobra Powersports, the exclusive distributor for TGB products in the United States and Caribbean Islands, recently hired Mason Orr to lead its sales team.
With an expanding product line and increased volume, Cobra Powersports said Orr’s proven management skills would be an asset to the organization.
“With the launch of our larger ATVs made by TGB, we needed someone with the experience to help us sell big bore products,”?said Bill Peirce, Cobra Powersports president. “With our sales team and his management skills, we expect to increase our sales and distribution in 2007 [and] 2008.”
Orr has a history of working in the powersports industry. He started his powersports career with Moto Guzzi North America, then Aprilia and most recently as the sales manager for Daelim USA.
“Going to work for Cobra Powersports is like coming home,” said Georgia native Orr.
Cross Country Series Adds UTV Racing Event
Racer Productions, producers of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, made history when the first-ever GNCC UTV race hit the woods at the Klotz Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Ind.
The side-by-side machines raced on Saturday, Oct. 27, after the ATV racing.
The machines raced on a course custom-built for the size and performance differences between a UTV and a traditional ATV. The GNCC track included a few tough sections to test the UTV’s cross-country abilities.
For more information on the event go to www.gnccracing.com.
Adly Shows Off Three New Vehicles for 2008
Adly Moto, a Taiwanese OEM, has released information on new ATVs and a dirt bike for 2008, according to a company press release.
The new quads are the 300XS Assault and the 300 AS Zephyr.
The company also is launching an all new 4X4 utility shaft drive ATV, the Titan 300.
Adly, the distributor for the Italian-designed Roxon line, also released information on the Roxon Pit/Dirt bike. The motorcycle features a 123cc, four-stroke, air-cooled engine. psb