Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/183375
14 • October 7, 2013 • Powersports Business FINANCIAL Suzuki sees strong August retail growth The 2014 QuadSport Z90 is expected to bring continued growth to the Suzuki brand in the fall. Motorcycle segments combine for 21-percent gain in month BY DAVE McMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF The dog days of summer proved beneficial to Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI), which DEALER FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT NORTHWEST 0.0% NORTHEAST 0.5% MIDWEST 6.0% Service Department 9.2% 4.6% Parts Department 5.5% Parts Department Major Units Parts Department Service Department 12.5% 2.3% Service Department Major Units 7.8% 14.4% Major Units WEST 1.6% Overall 10.4% 8.5% Overall Overall Parts Department 9.0% Service Department 23.7% Major Units SOUTH -1.6% 17.8% Overall Parts Department 6.1% UNITED STATES 1.6% Service Department 21.5% 17.2% Parts Department Major Units Major Units 5.8% 13.2% 16.6% Service Department www.PowersportsBusiness.com Overall Overall AUGUST 2013 PARTS SALES Unit sales were strong for dealers across the nation in August. Overall, they were up 17.2 percent, with each region up at least 9 percent, and the South and West skyrocketing, up 21.5 and 23.7 percent, respectively. Parts, however, saw a decrease in the South, down 1.6 percent, while the Northwest stayed even with August 2012. For the country, parts departments were up 1.6 percent. Collectively, the 1,335 metric and V-twin dealers in this study were up 13.2 percent overall. 685 dealers were up in parts, while 650 were down. FOR MORE ON THE SAME STORE SALES DATA SERVICE SALES For more information on this report and other industry data, contact: adplightspeed.com/dataservices Nationally, 731 dealers were up in service, and 517 were down. MAJOR UNIT SALES In unit sales, 771 dealers were up, while 401 were down. saw its motorcycle segments combine to grow by 21 percent in the month of August compared to August 2012. It's the fourth consecutive month that Suzuki has seen sales increases compared to the year-ago month. Retail gains in the sport bike segment were especially noticeable, Suzuki officials told Powersports Business. Standard, touring, cruiser and dual sport categories also saw sales increases. "With our active events calendar, enticing retail promotions and superior product offerings, we gave consumers a lot of reasons to visit dealers and buy Suzuki," said Rod Lopusnak, general manager-North American Sales for SMAI. "We have aggressive plans for September, too, with our QuadFair sales program making it even easier to buy Suzuki KingQuad and Ozark ATVs." Suzuki's 2013 QuadFair sales event, combined with news of its 2014 lineup which includes the return of the QuadSport Z90, will increase focus on Suzuki ATVs heading into the fall buying season. ATV shoppers will see QuadFair offers that include low-percentage financing plus customer cash rebates on Suzuki ATVs. The cash-back offers increase for noncurrent models. A product display at the Husker Harvest Days event in Nebraska Sept. 10-12 is showcasing the vehicles and deals to an attentive audience. Suzuki's 2014 ATVs are beginning to arrive at Suzuki dealers now. Motorcycle-focused events continued in September, too, along with the anniversary promotions. Following the company's 50th Anniversary event at the Indianapolis MotoGP race Aug. 17-18, Suzuki's events team traveled to New Jersey and Monterey, Calif., to attend this year's final AMA road races. They also attended BusaFest in North Carolina Sept. 21-22. "We continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Suzuki in America," said Steve Bortolamedi, communications manager for SMAI, "and we look forward to meeting with Suzuki owners and fans on the east and west coasts. The new Rider's Choice retail promotion will encourage them to take a closer look at the diverse offering of Suzuki motorcycles, scooters and ATVs at their Suzuki dealer." With the Suzuki Rider's Choice program, Bortolamedi said customers can choose low-interest financing, cash back, or low monthly payments when they purchase a new or a non-current Suzuki vehicle. Both the QuadFair and Rider's Choice programs run through Oct. 31. PSB STOCK MARKET WATCH MARKET WATCH 9/16/13 Change from 8/20 POWERSPORTS BUSINESS WINNERS AND LOSERS STOCK MARKET ACTIVITY 240 % Change 220 Powersports Business Index 229.799 8.90 4.03% 200 Dow Jones Index 134.771 4.28 3.28% 160 S&P 500 Index 115.542 3.08 2.74% 180 140 100 PSB INDEX VALUE P14x17-PSB13-Finance.indd 14 DOW JONES INDEXED S&P 500 INDEXED 9/16/13 8/20/13 7/23/13 6/21/13 5/28/13 5/7/13 4/17/13 3/15/13 2/22/13 80 1/25/13 Source: Wells Fargo Securities LLC 120 Company Brunswick Corp. Spy Inc. ArvinMeritor Polaris Industries, Inc. Harley-Davidson, Inc. Cooper Tire & Rubber Arctic Cat, Inc. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Intl. Speedway Corp. Cl. A Orbital Engine Corp. Ltd. ADR Stock Ticker BC XSPY ARM PII HOG CTB ACAT TRK ISCA OE Price 9/16/13 $40.50 $1.25 $8.14 $123.89 $63.38 $32.26 $55.92 $17.92 $31.47 $2.40 Percent Change 9.6% 8.7% 8.7% 8.7% 8.1% -0.6% -1.4% -1.5% -1.6% -15.8% 9/25/13 11:13 AM ww R Ne wa thi $7 per inc wa pa las 4p qu for op an A B C Eu In In Ja M Ph S S Ta Th N