Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/687402
8 • June 13, 2016 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com Overall sales volume slows in April, but street bikes up Suzuki celebrated April by opening the road race season with three consecutive wins and wrapping up a successful 2016 Supercross campaign, finishing second in the champion- ship highlighted by five wins. To start the MotoAmerica Superbike season, Yoshimura Suzuki pilot Toni Elias won the first three races of the season in Texas and Georgia, helping prove the Suzuki GSX-R1000 remains a class-leading sportbike. Originally brought on as a fill-in rider for the injured Jake Lewis, Elias, a former Moto2 World Champion, will contest the entire 2016 MotoAmerica Superbike season for the Yoshimura Suzuki Racing team. Lewis will join the Team Hammer squad and contest the Superstock 1000 class, when he completes his rehabilitation. RCH Racing's Ken Roczen raced his Suzuki RM-Z450 to AMA Supercross wins in Massa- chusetts and in New Jersey, his fourth and fifth back-to-back victories of the season. Roczen secured second place overall in the AMA SX championship race. Overall year-to-date sales volume for Suzuki dealers remains ahead of the same period last year, despite year-over-year declines for the month of April, according to Steve Bortola- medi, communications manager for Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. Suzuki dealers continue to gain attention with their standard-segment models; sales in that category remain strong. From the GSX-S750 to the entry-level-priced TU250X, Suzuki's streetbike sales are growing fast. Sport- oriented street riders are choosing the all-new GSX-S1000 models, with robust retail for all three bikes in the lineup. Suzuki recently announced the pricing and availability of the new SV650 motorcycles. The 2017 SV650 and SV650 ABS are competitively priced at $6,999 and $7,499, respectively, and will arrive at Suzuki dealers beginning in June for the prime selling months. These two motorcycles will draw a wide range of buyers to Suzuki and help re-energize the brand. Sales of KingQuad ATVs, though slowing slightly in April, remain positive year to date compared to the same period last year. Buy- ers continue to show strong interest in the KingQuad 400 line of ATVs, which deliver Suzuki fuel-injection technology in a five- speed or CVT automatic transmission. The KingQuad 500 models also remain strong sellers for Suzuki dealers across the country and for Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corp., the Georgia facility which recently cel- ebrated 15 years of Suzuki ATV production in the states. With strong sales across the three-model lineup, Suzuki's MX segment is in the black (and yellow) for 2016 year over year. With strong performance rankings among motocross media, podium-earning results in Supercross races and an attractive retail campaign offering cash back or zero APR financing, the RM-Z450, RM-Z250 and RM85 motocross bikes remain popular. Buyers of the RM85 also have the added benefit of a Pro Circuit exhaust kit promotion. Suzuki Motor of America (SMAI) and its dealers continue to promote the Suzuki Zero retail campaign as an option that can save qualified buyers significant money on the purchase of a new vehicle. SMAI is also promoting demo rides, both at select dealers across the country and several MotoAmerica roadrace events this summer. The company is preparing announce- ments soon on several 2017 models, includ- ing information on the delivery timing and retail pricing for the new GSX-R1000. This highly anticipated introduction will increase attention on Suzuki dealers and across the model lineup. PSB U.S. Suzuki dealers remain ahead with sales YTD Ken Roczen of the RCH/Soar- ing Eagle/Jimmy John's Suzuki Team won both 450MX motos at Hangtown to start the 2016 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross season on the RM-Z450. Powersports DEALER Seminars back for 4th year in a row The American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) announced that dealer registra- tion is now open for the fourth annual event, set for Oct. 13-16 at the Orange County Con- vention Center in Orlando, Fla. Registration is free for dealers and offers access to many valuable experiences, includ- ing global and North American new product debuts from participating OEMs and after- market companies, on- and off-road demo rides and no-cost participation in the highly valued Powersports DEALER Seminars pre- sented by Powersports Business. Qualified powersports dealers will find registration simplified for 2016. Dealers who have previously registered for the first three years of AIMExpo will be recognized by the new registration system and will be able to bypass the trade qualification steps, complet- ing the process in only a few clicks. Registra- tion can be found by visiting the AIMExpo website at www.aimexpousa.com and click- ing the yellow dealer registration button on the homepage. Seeing new product is the No. 1 reason dealers attend AIMExpo, and there will be plenty to see and appreciate during the exclu- sive trade days on Oct. 13-14. Dealers join international media attendees as being among the first to witness many of the new OEM model and aftermarket product launches happening during both trade days. There will also be plenty of products to check out from companies exhibiting for the first time, with an increasing number of exhibitors offering show-only specials as a benefit for dealers. In addition to first looks at a wide array of new products, dealers attend AIMExpo to increase their knowledge in the many areas of their businesses. Dealers will again have full and free access to the Powersports DEALER Seminars presented by Powersports Business. The increasingly popular education program offers five tracks of seminars designed to equip dealers with cutting-edge information they can use to improve the business of their dealership. From social media and marketing, to advanced dealership inventory procedures and more, there is a session for every type of dealer who is eager to immediately enhance their business. The seminar schedule will be released in early July to help dealers plan their AIMExpo experience. "Dealers have told us that getting a look at new product and acquiring knowledge are the most important reasons they attend AIMExpo. Networking with their peers and industry representatives are high on the list, too," said Mike Webster, senior vice presi- dent of MIC Events, producer of the event. "AIMExpo offers all of that and more, and any dealer looking to grow their business has the chance to do so with a minimal financial investment and a great potential return. We're positive their visit to Orlando in Octo- ber will prove a worthwhile experience that is sure to reap benefits throughout the next year and beyond." Dealers with questions about AIMExpo or registering to attend can call toll free at 855-MC-SHOWS (855/627-4697) or visit AIMExpoUSA.com for more information. Companies interested in exhibiting at AIM- Expo can call the same toll-free number and ask to speak to an AIMExpo account manager. Those interested in sponsoring the Powersports DEALER Seminars can contact Allison Gruhn at 763/383-4467. PSB Dealer registration open for 2016 AIMExpo and the Forbidden City after burgers, chicken strips and the like for lunch near the U.S. embassy. Dinner allowed for some exploring, but in most cases it was case of exploring the menu in the hotel restaurant. A small group of us managed to find a decent pizza joint in the Sanlitun district. The following day was a journey to the Great Wall, with a stop at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium along the way, followed by shopping at the Pearl Market mall. The dealers (their wives?) were in serious bartering mode and had the bags to show it. With the clock ticking on our stay in China, the superb menu at the JW Marriott attracted most for dinner, with others landing at that home away from home — Subway. PSB HISUN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 PHOTO BY HOPPENWORLD.COM "Wait 'til they see this on our Facebook page!" Javaughn and Bridgette Spencer, owners of Lowcountry Powersports in Beaufort, S.C., were all smiles after coming down from the Great Wall on an alpine slide. Hisun made sure the dealers didn't walk away hungry.