PowerSports Business

December 29, 2014

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in KBB.com web hits for this fall compared to one year ago. As was the case with the smaller sport bikes, the vehicles on this list represent older motor- cycles, with the average model year being 2006. The 2008 model year was the newest in the top 10. SCOOTERS AND MOPEDS The dominant name on the list of the top 10 most researched scooters and mopeds was the Suzuki Burgman, with scooters bearing that name taking four of the top 10 spots. In addition to the four Suzuki scooters, Honda, Yamaha and Vespa each took two of the top 10 spots on the list of the 10 most researched scooters. The 2013 Honda PCX150 took the No. 1 spot on the list, just as it did during Q3 2014. It received 46 percent more KBB.com web hits than the No. 2 scooter on the list. The top 10 list showed no steady gain or decline in KBB.com web hits, with models dropping as much as 34 percent, as well as models gaining as much as 19 percent com- pared to one year ago. The two models showing the greatest decline in KBB.com web hits compared to one year ago were both Yamaha Zuma scoot- ers, with the 2009 Zuma 125 garnering 34 percent fewer and the 2005 Zuma 50 attain- ing 22 percent fewer KBB.com web hits. PSB Lisa Pelissier is a senior powersports analyst at Kelley Blue Book. KBB CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Change from 1 year ago KBB Suggested Retail Value KBB Trade-In Value 1 2013 Honda PCX150 up 19% $1,680 $2,500 2 2007 Vespa LX 150 up 12% $1,555 $2,320 3 2007 Suzuki Burgman 400 up 5% $2,020 $2,975 4 2010 Honda NHX110 Elite down 9% $1,075 $1,650 5 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125 down 34% $1,210 $1,840 6 2007 Suzuki Burgman 650 up >1% $2,785 $4,065 7 2005 Yamaha Zuma 50 down 22% $660 $1,080 8 2008 Suzuki Burgman 400 down 18% $2,180 $3,210 9 2006 Suzuki Burgman 650 down 8% $2,590 $3,790 10 2007 Vespa GTS 250 down 17% $2,155 $3,170 Year Make Model SCOOTERS & MOPEDS Source: Kelley Blue Book No respondents expecting sales decline in 2015 The industry is expecting to close out the year with strong sales, according to a survey con- ducted by GE Capital, Commercial Distribu- tion Finance (CDF). Fifty-three percent of respondents antici- pate 2014 full-year sales growth of at least 10 percent, with an additional 24 percent of those respondents expecting sales to rise at least 5 percent. No respondents expect a decline in sales. This is close to last year's survey results, with 60 percent of respondents anticipating at least 10 percent sales growth. "It's great to see the continued optimism reflected in these results," said Sameer Gaur, president of CDF's motorsports group. "We are seeing an increased level of orders, healthy turnover and aging metrics in our motorsports financing portfolio and a high level of innova- tion in the industry. These factors are all con- tributing to this positive sentiment." GE Capital's sur vey was conducted Oct. 16-17 at the second annual American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), held in Orlando. When asked about what forms of market data are being used to manage or influence their business, 31 percent said they rely on social lis- tening, which includes following Yelp, Twitter and Facebook. Twenty-five percent rely on sales trends, 14 percent on industry outlook and 11 percent on new product reviews. "Social media is a great source of free market intelligence, and research shows that a vast majority of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommen- dations," said Mike Lee, vice president of commercial media at GE Capital, who ran two educational sessions on social listening during AIMExpo. "Dealers can't ignore what is being said about them or the products they sell, and are starting to explore how social listening can help them manage their brand, cultivate customer relationships and find sales opportunities." Survey respondents for the second year in a row think new product introductions are one the industry's biggest trends. Respon- dents also felt pre-owned inventory is a big trend in 2014. Last year, parts, garments and accessory options were considered a big trend in the industry. "Dealers are seeing the benefits to selling pre-owned products in their bottom line," noted Gaur. "And innovation across price points and segments continues to attract new riders and boost the industry overall." Looking ahead to next year, respondents felt the biggest challenges in 2015 would be con- sumer spending (31 percent), attracting new rid- ers (22 percent) and retail finance availability (22 percent), the same top challenges predicted last year. Survey respondents also again predicted that motorcycles (42 percent) would be the most popular product next year, followed by ATV/ UTV (22 percent) and scooters (14 percent). Of the 82 respondents, 41 percent were dealers or retailers; the remainder was manu- facturers, distributors and others. PSB GE survey: Pre-owned still a top industry trend dropping as much as 34 percent, as well as models gaining as much as 19 percent com- pared to one year ago. decline in KBB.com web hits compared to one year ago were both Yamaha Zuma scoot- ers, with the 2009 Zuma 125 garnering 34 percent fewer and the 2005 Zuma 50 attain- 2013 Honda PCX150 www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • December 29, 2014 • 19

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