Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/208245
28 • November 4, 2013 • Powersports Business MOTORCYCLE www.PowersportsBusiness.com MAG shifts leadership group to focus on future Vance & Hines, Performance Machine name new presidents Motorsport Aftermarket Group, Inc. (MAG) has announced a series of organizational changes within several of its key brands. Vance & Hines, Performance Machine and MAG's International Operations are the primary groups involved in a restructuring of senior management to support future growth opportunities. As a strategic move to expand the MAG brand dominance and product capabilities into international markets, Paul Langley has taken the newly-formed position of vice resident of International Business. In this role, Langley will have responsibility for international growth of all MAG Brands, and will be working closely with manufacturers, distributors and dealers to provide aftermarket products targeted to global markets. MAG resources in Europe and Asia will report into this new organization. Additionally, Langley will continue to provide leadership for the Vance & Hines race team. According to Rick Busch, chief operating officer of the MAG Brand Group, Langley is the ideal candidate to lead MAG's International Operations. "Paul is from the U.K. and was a partner in DynoJet Europe before he moved to the U.S, where he ultimately took over at Vance & Hines. He knows our brand culture, understands the European marketplace and has extensive experience with business activities in Asia." Current president of Performance Machine Mark Finnie will move into the position of president of Vance & Hines. A powersports industry leader for several years, most recently with Performance Machine for the past six years, Finnie has the experience to build on Vance & Hines' strength as the largest performance brand in the motorcycle aftermarket. "Mark understands manufacturing and knows how to build and lead a team … not to mention knowing what it takes to win in a fiercely competitive market," Busch added. "He will be a perfect match for leading the Vance & Hines team into new performance markets." Robyn Hetland, executive vice president of Performance Machine, gets promoted to president of the company. After starting with Performance Machine as a member of the leadership team, Hetland transitioned to general manager and was quickly promoted to executive VP, taking over day-to-day operations at the wheel, brake and accessory products business. "Robyn has been invaluable in transitioning PM to the high performance organization it is today. We are lucky to have such a capable leader to fill the position," Busch said. Finnie will remain a strategic advisor for business development with Performance Machine. All these moves became effective in late October. "I'm extremely pleased that Paul, Mark and Robyn have accepted the challenges and opportunities presented to them," Busch concludes. "They are all powersports industry professionals, and their expertise should further enhance the MAG Brands. As an organization, MAG has tremendous opportunities in front of us, and each of these moves leverages the potential of the leadership we have. Think of it as shifting gears … we just clicked it up into sixth!" PSB KTM-owned Husqvarna launches 2014 lineup Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH, the newly formed company of KTM AG, is fully operational and ready to begin worldwide delivery of the new model range of Husqvarna motorcycles. Six months after the acquisition of Husqvarna Motorcycles by Pierer Industries AG, Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH announced in October that it is fully operational and will soon begin distributing the 2014 Husqvarna model range of motocross, enduro and minicycle bikes in collaboration to its 14 subsidiaries and 46 importers worldwide. Based in Mattighofen, Austria, Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH will be a sister company of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG, with new generation Husqvarna machinery benefitting from direct association with KTM group, Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer operating from one of the world's newest, state-of-the-art production facilities. United by state-of-the-art technology and the very latest manufacturing methods, Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH will feature new, exciting and exclusive design. Production in Mattighofen ensures Husqvarna will benefit from the expertise and experience of today's off-road market leaders, while developing its own unique style and character. The 2014 model Husqvarna enduro and motocross models were unveiled to the motorcycling press in October. Husqvarna 2014 models will be arriving at dealer floors in Europe in November, with North American dealerships to follow. "These are extremely exciting times for Husqvarna. Over the last six months work has been on going in preparation of the arrival of the new Husqvarna models, and that day is here," said Stefan Pierer, CEO and chairman of the executive board at KTM AG. "Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH, with its enduro, motocross and minicycles brings Husqvarna back with an exciting new model line-up — one that will profit from the professionalism, experience and knowledge of the KTM group. We have ambitious plans for Husqvarna in terms of both production machinery and sporting success, all of which starts with the delivery of the 2014 model range — a significant moment in the new chapter of Husqvarna motorcycles." PSB Stefan Pierer, chairman and CEO of Husqvarnaowner KTM, said the company has big plans for its newest brand. DUCATI PAGE 27 CONTINUED FROM "I'm one of those guys that actually gets charged up at these things and comes back to the dealership and shares the enthusiasm with my employees," he said. "Selling motorcycles to me is very passionate, and I'm excited to be in the industry, and I think when you come back from a good dealer show you know your employees see how happy and stoked you are about what's going to be our future, and I think that passes along to our associates and, hopefully, on to our customers." Joe Dominguez, sales and finance manager at Beverly Hills Ducati in Southern California, is similarly excited, and feels the parentsourced financing is going to be a major plus for his dealership. "When people hear that it is an actual Ducati financing and then they come up with special rate programs like right now they're running the 1.99 on Panigale and the Diavel and also the (Streetfighter) 848, I mean 1.99, that's hard to beat," Dominguez said. "That's 'A' credit of course, but still it's a program, and people like that. FreedomRoad did [similar programs], but it seems like Ducati's just doing a little bit more for us now." He added that, like Euro Cycles of Tampa Bay, many of his customers have already heard of the promotion before entering the store. That awareness is attributed to a major Ducatisponsored advertising campaign that he also feels is boosting his store's foot traffic. "The people over there are great — I'm not trying to build them up, but they really are great," Dominguez said. "You call them up, everybody's in a good mood, they're very happy about their jobs. It's not like going to the DMV." He added that due to his dealership's market, he expects only approximately 60 percent of its Ducati customers to utilize financing, but feels its availability adds a comfort level for prospective customers. "Most people already know that Volkswagen has taken that over, but for the few that don't, once they hear it, they're in," he said. "Not unless they had a real bad experience with Volkswagen, and not many people do." PSB option before they walk through the front door. While his dealership is still working with FreedomRoad Financial, Kennedy expects VW Credit to become his primary lender for Ducati sales. He added that deals financed through VW means that any ancillary sales must be run through the parent company, rather than through his previous third-party provider. Going forward, Kennedy expects Ducati sales to become a bigger portion of his sales, an idea partially boosted by what he saw and heard at the dealer show. P26x28-PSB14-Cycle.indd 28 10/30/13 12:51 PM