Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/711372
www.PowersportsBusiness.com MOTORCYCLE Powersports Business • August 15, 2016 • 33 Better than June 2015, and up 39 percent YTD Suzuki introduced several new and return- ing motorcycles and ATVs in June and July, showing dealers and consumers the all-new 2017 RMX450Z off-road machine and the "Fun and Funky" 2017 VanVan 200 street bike. Suzuki also announced the return of the QuadSport Z50 youth-model ATV for 2017. These models expand the Suzuki powersports vehicle family and give Suzuki dealers access to key opportunity markets, including entry- level and price-focused riders, plus millennial and experienced motorcyclists looking for new ideas. The returning fleet of motorcycles and ATVs remains diverse, giving power- sports enthusiasts a wide range of Suzuki vehicle options. Retail sales of existing Suzuki vehicles through June showed select bright spots, with Suzuki motorcycles in the standard category continuing their popularity. The GSX-S1000 and GSX-S750 models are selling well. And with the all-new 2017 SV650 motorcycle now in dealerships, Suzuki sales in the standard seg- ment showed a year-over-year increase of more than 30 percent for June and remain up for the calendar year by the same amount. "Expanding our product line with this diversity of motorcycles and ATVs will help broaden the reach of the Suzuki brand," said Kerry Graeber, vice president, Sales and Mar- keting for Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. "We're giving people, from powersports veter- ans to new riders, more diverse ways to enjoy our products, both on-road and off. Unique new motorcycles like the VanVan 200 create a buzz and will help Suzuki dealers attract different customers, while the updated SV650 and RMX450Z show Suzuki is listening to the demands of an evolving market and responding with the right products." Sales of Suzuki off-road motorcycles also remain strong; both the DR-Z70 and DR-Z125L were up for June compared to the same period last year and are up 39 percent for the year. Motocross bikes sales, though slowing slightly in June, are up more than 20 percent for the year compared to the same period last year. Overall retail sales for Suzuki were down slightly in June compared to the same period last year. While broader retail sales nationwide rose in June, year-over-year retail sales in the powers- ports market have declined for the month. Suzuki racers continue to make headlines, led by RCH Racing's Ken Roczen in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450. Broc Tickle, Roczen's teammate, also performed well in June, earning podiums on his RM-Z450. As the MotoAmerica road race season nears its end, Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team riders Toni Elias and Roger Hayden have placed the Suzuki GSX-R1000s near the top of the field, each winning races this summer. Just like its factory-sponsored racers, Suzuki and its dealer body maintain busy summer events calendars, with dealers across the country conducting demo-ride events on Suzuki street bikes and dual sport motorcycles. Suzuki also brought demo rides to enthusi- asts in June at events such as Thunder in the Valley, Americade and others, increasing the exposure to the brand and its broad product mix. Suzuki is also conducting non-endemic event activities to expose its products to a wider demographic. Strengthening its advertising outreach, Suzuki is sending to motorcycle enthusiasts bold messages for the Suzuki Summer Blast sales offers in which qualified buyers can receive full-term zero percent APR financ- ing, low-payment options or cash incentives. Suzuki is delivering a mix of compelling products, enticing sales offers and aggres- sive marketing communications to increase retail traffic. PSB Suzuki off-road bikes sales rise in June The 2017 Suzuki VanVan 200 features wide front and rear balloon tires; a low- slung, wide pleated seat; easy push-button starting; and an advanced compact fuel injection system.