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www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • July 11, 2016 • 3 HOTNEWS CONTINUED FROM COVER "Judge Bloom's final judgment in this case is not only a major victory for our client, Arctic Cat, but a testament to the importance of upholding IP law and punishing willful patent- infringement," said Nicholas Boebel of Hagens Berman, lead counsel for Arctic Cat. "It is our hope that this stands as a line in the sand to would-be patent infringers to help inventors and small businesses." "Arctic Cat is humbled by the jury's verdict and the court's order awarding enhanced dam- ages in this case," said Michael Okerlund, vice president of Legal Affairs for Arctic Cat. "We are also truly and profoundly grateful to Nicholas Boebel at the Hagen Berman firm. This victory is a testament to Mr. Boebel's professionalism, his dedication and the tireless advocacy he brought to bear in this case." Hagens Berman co-coun- seled with Kutak Rock LLP on the suit. "We are very pleased with this outcome and very apprecia- tive of the court's hard work and The new and desirable North Hall location at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is quickly filling up with exhibiting companies for the 2016 American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), returning to Orlando Oct. 13-16. The growing list of powersports companies showcasing new products has now surpassed 300, anchored by commitments from nine OEMs and leading aftermarket companies. The much requested relocation of the show floor to the OCCC's North Hall will provide direct proximity to the popular demo ride component of the AIMExpo platform, ensuring easy access for dealers and consumer attendees. AIMExpo Outdoors! will again feature both street and off-road riding experiences from a wide variety of OEMs. The nine manufacturers that have already reserved exhibit space at AIMExpo 2016 are BMW, Can-Am/BRP, Hisun, Honda, Kawasaki, KYMCO, SSR/Benelli, Suzuki and Yamaha. Founding OEM exhibitors KYMCO, Suzuki and Yamaha have continually invested in AIMExpo since the inaugural event in 2013, with Suzuki returning for the second of a two- year commitment announced prior to the 2015 show. "To already have over 300 new and returning exhibitors affirm- ing their investment and commitment to the industry-unifying platform that serves dealers, consumers and media is gratifying and a positive sign for the powersports industry," said Larry Little, vice president and general manager, MIC Events. "With nine OEMs already signed up, AIMExpo 2016 is sure to include the highest volume of new product introductions ever and a clear indicator of the many synergies as an integral part of the Motor- cycle Industry Council (MIC)." Complementing the new product launches, hundreds of exhibi- tors on the show floor and expansive demo space outdoors, AIM- Expo attendees will have the opportunity to connect with others throughout the industry at numerous networking events, while dealer attendees can take advantage of the unparalleled curriculum of the Powersports DEALER Seminars presented by Powersports Business during the two trade days of AIMExpo, Oct. 13-14. AIMEXPO EXHIBITOR LIST HITS 300 AT NEW NORTH HALL LOCATION IN ORLANDO NEWS 4 ... Yamaha partners with Beta Tools 4 ... Hibbert leads Make-A-Wish walk FINANCIAL NEWS 16 ... Dealer Financial Snapshot 18 ... Aegis expands to Arizona OPINION 20 ... From the Editor 20 ... Online at PowersportsBusiness.com PSB: FOCUS UTV — Sport 28 ... PRP Seats blooms in UTV market 35 ... RZRs top Baja 500 36 ... Maverick wins Penton GNCC race 37 ... STI launches performance tires ATV/UTV 44 ... KYMCO's new sales manager 46 ... Yamaha's 2017 models 48 ... Can-Am off-road 2017 lineup MOTORCYCLE 52 ... Indian returns to Pro AMA Flat Track 53 ... Suzuki debuts 2017 SV650 54 ... Power 50 dealer hosts benefit ride SOLUTIONS 56 ... Steve Jones 57 ... Paula Crosbie SNOWMOBILE 58 ... U.S. snowmobile sales drop AFTERMARKET 59 ... Hot Products 60 ... QuadBoss celebrates 15 years INSIDE Loudon, Tenn.-based Malibu Boats (NASDAQ: MBUU) has announced that outdoor and pow- ersports industry veteran Eric Bondy has joined the world's clear leader in watersports towboats — holding over 50 percent of that market worldwide — as its new vice president of sales and marketing. Bondy brings to Malibu a wealth of experi- ence and expertise in the outdoors and spe- cialty vehicle markets, along with a track record for driving growth. In 2008, he was named the Powersports Business Executive of the Year, while serving as CEO of KYMCO USA. He developed and implemented successful growth strategies for respected makers of motorcy- cles, ATVs and snowmobiles, including Arctic Cat, KYMCO and Textron Specialized Vehi- cles. Bondy was most recently vice president, Sales and Marketing, for camouflage outfitter TrueTimber Outdoors. "We're very excited and fortunate to have Eric Bondy join the Malibu team," said Mal- ibu Boats CEO Jack Springer. "With a proven record in outdoors, powersports and special- ized vehicles, he's an ideal fit for the global leader in the watersports towboat industry. His proven expertise in product and brand devel- opment, customer service and sales meshes perfectly with Malibu's goals, and I am confi- dent that he will bring new ideas forward to advance Malibu even further." PSB Wells Fargo CDF extends Ducati financing Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF), part of Wells Fargo & Company, has announced it extended its inventory financing program with motorcycle national sales company Ducati North America. The extension will be used to support dealership floorplan financing across Ducati's North American network. "Since Ducati North America's early days, the team at Wells Fargo CDF has been a vital part of our development in the U.S. market. Through our relationship we have identified ways for us to further advance the health and profitability of our business and dealer network," said Jason Chinnock, chief executive officer of Ducati North America. "We value the experience and expertise they provide our company, all while retaining a unique personal touch." "We are pleased to have a long-standing relationship in sup- porting Ducati's growth efforts over the last 19 years," said Jeremy Jansen, president of CDF's motorsports group. "We look forward to continuing to deliver Ducati dealers with knowledge and finan- cial solutions that can best help the company successfully grow for many years to come." "The Ducati program is a great example of how we work closely with our customers to create innovative programs that meet the needs of both manufacturers and dealers," said Tim Nixon, manag- ing director Wells Fargo CDF in Canada. "We are pleased to extend this program and will continually strive to provide Ducati and its dealers with a best-in-class customer experience." careful jurisprudence put into this case," said Aaron A. Myers of Kutak Rock. "Arctic Cat is a tremendous company with a long history of innovation, and this result reflects that." The complaint, filed in the U.S District Court for the South- ern District of Florida, alleged that the companies marketed, promoted, offered for sale, sold and distributed Sea-Doo personal watercraft that infringe patents owned by competitor Arctic Cat. The suit concerned a long- standing safety concern in the PWC industry: the inability to steer a PWC once the throttle is released, as is common in emer- gency situations, particularly for inexperienced riders. Accord- ing to the complaint, Arctic Cat was responsible for originally developing a novel and effective off-throttle thrust mechanism to make PWC safer. The technol- ogy provides riders with tem- porary "steerable thrust" when the rider turns in off-throttle situations to help prevent fatali- ties and injuries from collisions. Arctic Cat representatives dem- onstrated the technology to the Coast Guard, representatives of BRP and others in the PWC industry in 1999 and 2000. The United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded Arctic Cat patents for its novel off-throttle steering technology, entitled "Controlled Thrust Steer- ing System for Watercraft." BRP officials, meanwhile, deemed the decisions by both the jury and judge as "unfounded," and announced that the company will appeal. "The court's judgment formal- izes the prior jury verdict of June 1, 2016, which held the com- pany liable for US$15.5 million (CA$19.5 million) in compensa- tory damages and in addition awarded treble damages of US$31.2 million. Following the court's decision today, the com- pany is now exposed to damages totaling US$46.7 million (CA$60 million) in relation to this law- suit," according to a BRP press release. "The company believes this decision is unfounded and intends to file an appeal." BMW MOTORRAD SALES UP 1.2 PERCENT IN MAY Sales continue to grow at BMW Motorrad, where May saw See Hot News, Page 4 The 2016 AIMExpo is set for Oct. 13-16 at the North Hall at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Honda will once again be offering demo rides as part of the AIMExpo Outdoors! event located adjacent to the North Hall. Ducati dealers throughout North America will continue to benefit from Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance. Here, the 1200 Multistrada Enduro gets put through the paces. Malibu Boats names Bondy VP sales