Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/561797
4 • September 17, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com www.powersportsbusiness.com Editorial and Sales: 763.383.4400 Subscriber Service: 847.763.9565 EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dave McMahon 763/383-4411 (dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com) MANAGING EDITOR: Liz Keener 763/383-4413 (lkeener@powersportsbusiness.com) ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kate Swanson 763/383-4412 (kswanson@powersportsbusiness.com) DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR: Shauna Spencer DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST: Ben Stevenson MANAGING ART DIRECTOR: Dodi Vessels ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Andrea Schneider PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Schmieg PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Cherri Perschmann NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Allison Gruhn 763/383-4467 (agruhn@powersportsbusiness.com) NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER Mark Rosacker 763/383-4433 (mrosacker@snowgoer.com) NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Michael Kula 949/466-7833 (mkula@ridermagazine.com) CEO: Marion Minor SR. VICE PRESIDENT/FINANCE & OPERATIONS: Gerald Winkel SR. VICE PRESIDENT/MARKET DEVELOPMENT: Joanne Juda-Prainito GROUP PUBLISHER/MOTORCYCLE, POWERSPORTS: David J. Voll AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Tim Morgan SENIOR SALES ADMINISTRATOR: Bernadette Wohlman CONTRIBUTORS: COLUMNISTS: Steve Dodds, Paula Crosbie, Steve Jones DEALER ADVISORY BOARD: Hooksett Kawasaki-Polaris, Jim Whalley; Hacker's Yamaha & Honda, Rick Hacker; Honda/Polaris of Lubbock, Morris Baker; All Action Water Sports, Ray Leps POWERSPORTS BUSINESS (ISSN #1522-7944) is published 15 times per year – monthly except twice in May and December, the Market Data Book in September – by EPG Media/Specialty Information Media, 10405 6th Avenue North, Suite 210 Minneapolis, MN 55441. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Free to qualified members of the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile and personal watercraft industries. Annual subscription rate is $56 per year for U.S residents, $76 for Canadian residents and $96 for residents in other countries. All paid subscriptions must be paid in advance and in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Powersports Business, P.O. Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Visit www.PowersportsBusiness.com, email customerservice@specialtyim.com, call (845) 856-2229, fax (847) 763-9569 or write to Powersports Business, PO Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. CANADIAN RETURN ADDRESS: EPG Media & Specialty Information, 4960-2 Walker Road, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J3. Publication Sales Agreement #40012332. EDITORIAL: All manuscripts, materials, photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer's risk and must include self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return. Send editorial materials to EPG Media/Specialty Information Media, 10405 6th Avenue North, Suite 210 Minneapolis, MN 55441, 763/383- 4400. No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. Powersports Business is a registered trademark of EPG Media & Specialty Information. Copyright 2015 by EPG Media & Specialty Information. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited unless expressly authorized by publisher. REPRINTS: For more information on e-prints or reprints from Powersports Business, contact Robin Cooper, 845/856-2229. Printed in U.S.A. Minnesota-based company to end distributorship in 2015 Royal Enfield, the fastest growing motorcycle company in the world, announced in August its first wholly owned subsidiary outside India, in North America. This strategic announcement is in line with Royal Enfield's international focus on leading and expanding the global mid-sized motorcycle segment (250-750cc), with North America representing a priority market. Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle com- pany in continuous production, with roots dating back to 1901 in Redditch, England. A division of publicly traded Eicher Motors Limited, its current product lineup in North America includes the iconic Bullet 500cc, Clas- sic 500cc and the Continental GT 535cc café racer ranging from $4,995 to $5,995. Royal Enfield has been exporting motorcycles to North America for 15 years through an inde- pendent distributor. Led by an executive team and senior leader- ship with deep motorcycle category experience, newly-formed Royal Enfield North America will immediately take over operations, market- ing, communications, sales, warranty, service, dealership development and finance for the company across the U.S. and Canada. The North American headquarters, along with a new flagship company-owned dealership, will be located in Milwaukee. "Royal Enfield has been growing at over 50 percent year-on-year for the last five years. With a proven business model, today we are one of the largest mid-size motorcycle manu- facturers in the world. With our increased efficiencies and scale of manufacturing, we are strategically positioned to make effective business inroads within international markets, including the United States," said Mr. Rudratej Singh, president, Royal Enfield. "Motorcycles and the riding culture is robust in North America, and it is certainly a growth market for us. A wholly owned sub- sidiary company in the region allows us to be closer to our customers and significantly enhance their product and ownership experi- ence, with a wider footprint and robust after- sales service network. We are confident that with our current and future product line, we will re-invigorate the mid-sized motorcycle segment in the U.S. with motorcycles that are holistic in their approach and are great fun to ride, both in the cities and on back country roads," he added. Mr. Siddhartha Lal, CEO, Royal Enfield said, "Our motorcycles are inspired by the clas- sic bikes throughout motorcycling history, in form and in simplicity, and they capture the feeling of freedom, fun and responsiveness that riders were trying to achieve then and brings it into the modern context. Royal Enfields are possibly the most engaging mid-size motor- cycles out there. We use traditional craftsman- ship and modern technology as a means to achieve the perfect balance between the rider, the machine and the terrain." The company's regional office in Milwau- kee and the leadership team will be led by Rod Copes, president, Royal Enfield North Amer- ica, responsible for managing its operation in the market including marketing, communi- cations, sales, warranty, service, dealership development and finance. All manufacturing will continue to remain in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India where Royal Enfield has been manufacturing since 1955. Global headquar- ters will continue to reside in Gurgaon, Hary- ana, India. "In a post performance era where American riders are looking for machines that are easy to own and maintain, Royal Enfield offers evoca- tive and unintimidating modern classic motor- cycles, with timeless appeal. Royal Enfield's first fully branded retail store in the United States will soon be launched in Milwaukee that will retail its entire product lineup of motor- cycles and gear. Over the next 18 months we plan to launch several such stores in key metropolitan areas across the U.S. We are also focusing on building a strong independent dealer network that will maximize our brand awareness and sales," Copes said. "While Royal Enfield continues to strengthen its pres- ence in the market, our previous distribu- tors, Classic Motor Works (CMW), located in Fairbault, Minn., will be transitioning out of distributing Royal Enfield motorcycles by the end of 2015." In 2014, Royal Enfield sold more than 300,000 motorcycles globally. Parent com- pany, Eicher Motors Ltd., recorded its highest ever total revenue of $1.4 billion USD. PSB Royal Enfield relaunching in North America Currently Loethen is pursuing her degree in business management. UTV GROWTH FORCES KAWASAKI TO ADD MANAGER, GOVERNMENT AND FLEET SALES Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) announced that the company has hired Michael Jacobs to fill the newly created posi- tion of manager, Government and Fleet Sales. In this new position, Jacobs will be respon- sible for the strategic development of Kawasa- ki's government and fleet sales initiatives with the primary purpose of growing brand aware- ness for Kawasaki side-by-side vehicles, while increasing side-by-side business for KMC and its independent dealer network. "With increasing demand in the sectors of government and commercial fleet sales as well as Kawasaki's increasing growth in the marketplace with products like the Mule PRO- FXT, the time was right for Kawasaki to hire a strong manager with deep roots in the fleet sales industry for this important position," said Bill Jenkins, senior V.P., Sales Operations. "Michael has the background and knowledge to take our government and fleet business to the next level." Jacobs' recent experience includes several regional sales manager positions with Fortune 500 companies as well as owning and operating a small start up company. He will be based out of the Central Region Office in the Dallas area. In addition to his business experience, Jacobs was brought up in a military household, living on army bases around the world. Today, Jacobs lives in the Fort Worth/Dallas area with his two daughters and his wife, who is a teacher. To reach Michael Jacobs to discuss govern- ment and fleet business opportunities with Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., email Michael.Jacobs@kmc-usa.com or call 817/589-1180. ARCTIC CAT MAKES CHANGES TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) announced that current director Kenneth J. Roering was named board chair, succeeding Christopher Twomey, who retired from the board at the end of his term. In addition, Kim A. Brink, chief operating officer of WPP's Team Detroit, the dedicated global market- ing agency for Ford Motor Company, has been elected to Arctic Cat's Board of Direc- tors. Arctic Cat now has seven members on its board of directors, the majority of whom are independent. Commenting on Arctic Cat's board chair transition, lead director D. Christian Koch said: "The board thanks Chris Twomey for his many years of dedicated leadership and tremendous con- tributions as chairman of Arctic Cat's board. We also congratulate Ken on his new role." Twomey served as the company's CEO from January 1986 to December 2010 and from June 2014 to December 2014. He was named a director of the company in 1987 and was board chair from 2003 to 2012, and again from June 2014 until his retirement from the board in August 2015. Kenneth J. Roering has served on Arctic Cat's board since 1996. He is a professor emeritus of marketing at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Min- nesota, where he served as The Pillsbury Company-Paul S. Gerot Chair for 22 years and as department chair for 10 years. Roering has consulted with more than 50 global com- panies, published more than 70 articles and written two books in the areas of marketing strategy and new product development. With his extensive academic work and broad experi- ence as a consultant for many respected com- panies, Roering brings to the board extensive marketing, brand management and strategic management expertise, as well as significant corporate governance leadership. "In addition, we are very pleased to wel- come Kim to Arctic Cat's board," Koch stated. "Kim brings exceptional leadership, passion and proven marketing and advertising savvy in the automotive and racing markets. Her expertise will be invaluable in helping Arctic Cat build its global brand. We look forward to her contributions." Brink was named COO of WPP's Team Detroit agency in July 2015, with responsi- bility for operations of the creative agency's eight global locations and 3,500 employees. Previously, she was senior vice president of marketing at National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR). As part of NASCAR's executive leadership team, she played a pivotal role in developing strategies to grow the youth and Hispanic fan base, as well as reach the next generation of NASCAR fans. Before that, she served as NASCAR's managing director of brand and consumer marketing. Brink joined NASCAR from General Motors, where she was executive director of advertising and sales promotion for Cadillac. In this position, she led the introduction of the CTS Coupe. Brink also served as general director of advertising and sales promotions with Chevrolet, where she was responsible for more than 20 vehicle launches and strategic promotional partnerships with NASCAR, Major League Baseball and the Country Music Association. Brink attended Wayne State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1988 and an MBA degree in 1989, both in marketing. In addition, she graduated from the Kellogg Executive Development Program at North- western University. HOT NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 KIM A. BRINK KENNETH J. ROERING See Hot News, Page 10