Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/604674
w w w . p o w e r s p o r t s b u s i n e s s . c o m FINANCE: Northpoint expands staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 12 FOCUS: Yuasa adds new batteries to its lineup . . . PAGE 16 ATV: Hisun teams up with college for Baja . . . . PAGE 24 PWC: Sea-Doo RXP-X wins 5-peat . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 32 The U.S. House of Representatives adopted amendments to the federal Highway Bill that include good news for on- and off-highway motorcyclists, the American Motorcyclist Associa- tion announced. The Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 approved in November by a vote of 363 to 64 provides $325 billion over six years. "We sifted through more than 100 amendments to this bill, identified those favorable to AMA members and threw our support behind them," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. "At the same time, we staunchly opposed proposed INSPIRING SUCCESS THROUGH MARKET INTELLIGENCE Sales for success 2015 Power 50 dealer Team Carolina Powersports sees success from increased side-by-side sales. SEE PAGE 38 HOTNEWS It all adds up Yamaha continues to add to its list of models released or updated in the past two years. SEE PAGE 4 By the numbers AIMExpo saw continued growth in its third year at the Orange County Convention Center. SEE PAGE 6 Yamaha's sport UTV entrant gains immediate favor at Sand Sports Super Show, but Polaris RZR still No. 1 BY DAVE McMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF The 2016 Yamaha YXZ1000R category-launching pure sport side-by-side didn't take long to make an impact among UTV enthusiasts. A survey of select attendees at the Sand Sports Super Show in Costa Mesa, Calif., in October found that while the Polaris RZR remains the most popular side-by-side model regardless of price for 2015 (ranked as the first choice by 49 percent of the attendees and the second choice by 25 percent), RZR interest was significantly diminished by the introduction of the Yamaha YXZ1000R. The YXZ captured 29 percent of the first choice, the majority coming from the RZR. The Can-Am Maverick also suffered a loss to the YXZ, with its first choice at 7 percent, down from 12 percent in 2014. The 2014 survey showed the Polaris RZR ranked first by 73 percent of attendees and second by 11 percent. The YXZ had its global launch in September. Clarity Research is now in its eighth season of attending the Sand Sports Super Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, Calif. A total of 220 side-by-side enthusiasts completed the 2015 survey at the October event. See Lending, Page 9 PSB: FOCUS P&A SEE PAGE 15 See Hot News, Page 3 December 1, 2015 • Volume 18, Number 15 • $3.99 1% 1% 3% 10% 7% 29% 49% 2% 4% 10% 14% 17% 27% 25% 8% 10% 17% 19% 23% 17% 10% John Deere Gator RSX Honda Pioneer Kawasaki Teryx Arctic Cat Wildcat Can-Am Maverick Yamaha YXZ1000R Polaris RZR Ranked #1 Ranked #2 Ranked #3 See Survey, Page 8 House adopts Highway Bill amendments that benefit industry YXZ taking notice; RZR still sharp 2015 SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW CONSUMER SURVEY TOTAL TOP 3 84% 73% 48% 43% 30% 15% 11% SIDE-BY-SIDE RANKING DISREGARDING PRICE, RANK YOUR TOP 3 SIDE-BY-SIDES Source: Clarity Research The 2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS having some fun in the sand. Las Vegas event targets consumer financing business BY DAVE McMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF Capital One's recent announcement that the consumer financing company is withdrawing from the industry brought with its departure a sizable percentage of the industry's revolv- ing credit partnerships. And with the industry currently riding momentum out of the Great Recession, the time is ideal to let potential revolving credit providers know more about the powersports marketplace. That's exactly what happened in October at the Wynn Las Vegas, where Powersports Finance 2015 was held. Held in conjunction with the 15th Annual Auto Finance Sum- mit, the inaugural event was hosted by Royal Media's Auto Finance News magazine and geared to offer industry pros the first dedicated full-length forum to share insights, best prac- tices and intelligence to lenders. Held the week following AIMExpo, the powersports financing summit speaker lineup included Jeff Young, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA. Young previously was president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors' financing arm, and prior to that he served in various roles at Ford Motor Co. Rolling out the welcome mat to lenders Powersports lending took center stage at the Powers- ports Finance 2015 conference, which was held at the Wynn Las Vegas in conjunction with the 15th Annual Auto Finance Summit in October.