Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/730410
www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • October 3, 2016 • 3 HOTNEWS CONTINUED FROM COVER vendors and get the inside track on their brands. By visiting the vendor exhibits, dealers will learn about recently launched products as well as the latest gear and apparel. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in industry roundtable discus- sions with Tucker Rocky lead- ership as well as to network with some of the most suc- cessful dealers and retailers in powersports. On the evening of Feb. 10, the two-day event will culmi- nate in a celebration of Tucker Rocky's first 50 years of serving the powersports industry. Tucker Rocky | Biker's Choice will provide dealers who are interested in extend- ing their stay to attend the AMA Supercross race at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Feb. 11, with two complimen- tary tickets. Dealers also have the chance to be reimbursed for their airfare to the event through the Earn Your Wings program. HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO LAY OFF 200 EMPLOYEES Several news outlets reported Sept. 1 that Harley-Davidson will lay off 200 regular and casual union employees in the fourth quarter. Fox 43 in Pennsylvania said 115 of the layoffs affect employ- ees of Harley's plant in York, Pa. Newsline 9 in Wisconsin reported another 39 will be laid off in Tomahawk, Wis. Some will also affect the engine plant in Menomonee Falls, Wis., reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. BRP VETERAN SCULLION NAMED TO MANAGEMENT TEAM BRP last month announced a reorganization of the general management of its Global Sales and Consumer Experi- ence division as well as a new organizational structure for the management of its activities in Europe. Sandy Scullion has been appointed vice president and general manager, BRP Global Sales and Consumer Experi- ence. Scullion is now a member of the company's Management Committee and will report to José Boisjoli, BRP's president and chief executive officer. Scullion has worked for BRP for over 20 years and has exten- sive experience in the North American and European mar- kets of the recreational industry. Since 2014, he has been the vice president and regional manager responsible for all BRP activities in Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In light of this appointment, BRP announced a new organiza- tional structure for the manage- ment of its activities in Europe. This structure is intended to strengthen BRP's presence throughout the entire European region, increase operational efficiency and take advantage of synergies arising from the con- solidation of activities. The Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Russia regions will now be grouped with the Western Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. Steve Pel- letier becomes vice president and regional manager of the new region. Pelletier has worked Mark Moon has been named the new director of powersports for Dowco. Moon comes to Dowco as the former VP of marketing and corporate strategy for the AMSOIL Snocross Series Presented by RAM Truck that airs in 99 million homes nationwide on CBS Sports; and Sledhead 24-7, the current No. 1 U.S. snowmobile industry TV show that airs in over 88 million U.S. homes on Fox Sports. Prior to his nearly three years with the series, Moon spent more than 12 years as VP of Business Development for retailers includ- ing Best Buy, Amazon.com and Walmart and was awarded Tar- get Vendor of the Year. DOWCO NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF POWERSPORTS NEWS 10 ... Pied Piper inaugural internet study FINANCIAL NEWS 18 ... BRP growth in fiscal second quarter 18 ... Harley-Davidson, EPA settlement 24 ... Polaris lowers 2016 guidance OPINION 26 ... From the Editor 26 ... Online at PowersportsBusiness.com PSB: FOCUS UTV Accessories 34 ... CDK Global: Montana leads sales 36 ... DFK Cabs plans spring 2017 release 40 ... DragonFire releases 2017 catalog 45 ... Titan launches TitanATV.com ATV/UTV 56 ... ODES introduces 500cc ATV 56 ... Polaris, Arctic Cat unveil models SOLUTIONS 64 ... Mark Mooney 65 ... Sam Dantzler MOTORCYCLE 68 ... Colorado dealer expands business 69 ... 40-year veteran dealer retires 70 ... Next dealer generation trained SNOWMOBILE 74 ... Racer purchases dealership 75 ... Snow Goer dealer survey AFTERMARKET 76 ... Hot Products INSIDE Evergreen Bank, Polaris partner on financing Evergreen Bank Group, with the support of Polaris Industries Inc., announced that on Sept. 1 Evergreen launched a new lending divi- sion, Performance Finance, exclusively focused on the financing of Polaris motorcycle and Slingshot products. Evergreen will operate the Performance Finance division out of its Reno, Nevada, facility, in connection with a multi- year retail financing contract with Polaris. Evergreen Bank Group is a premier national motorsports lender, providing financing through its existing FreedomRoad Financial lending division. Performance Finance's lend- ing program will be exclusively offered to Polaris customers through dealers of Indian and Victory motorcycles and Slingshot vehi- cles. The new division will offer Polaris dealers the service and experience of a captive-like financing structure. The program will include aggressive finance offerings, expedited fund- ing via document imaging, dedicated dealer training and financing for all other brands of pre-owned motorcycles from Polaris dealers. "We are thrilled and honored to expand our relationship with Polaris," said Darin Campbell, president and CEO of Evergreen. "The company is a proven leader in the power- sports industry." PSB Ural charity ride raises $50,000 More than 350 motorcyclists joined a New England motorcycle charity ride to honor Massachusetts children battling brain tumors. The crew at Ural of New England in Boxborough, Massachu- setts, organized local riders as Ural owners gave young cancer sur- vivors and their families a ride up front in the sidecar, complete with police escort. This year marked the largest ride to date, with all donations going directly to cancer research. Riders helped raise more than $54,000 for research. PSB editor in chief Dave McMahon, left, welcomed Mark Moon, new director of powersports at Dowco Power Sports, to the PSB offices in August. for BRP since 2004 and was previously the vice president of Finance for BRP's Global Sales and Consumer Experience division. This consolidation also brings changes to Lynx snowmobile pro- duction management in Rovani- emi, Finland. Thomas Uhr, vice president, BRP-Powertrain and general manager, BRP-Rotax, will oversee all manufacturing and engineering operations for Europe, including those activities based in Rovaniemi and in Gun- skirchen, Austria. "I would like to congratulate Sandy Scullion, Steve Pelletier and Thomas Uhr, three talented managers who have many years of experience with BRP and in the recreational industry," Boisjoli said. "Their skills and expertise will be precious assets in the pur- suit of our growth." POLARIS HIRES NEW DEFENSE VP Polaris Industries Inc. announced the hiring of John M. Olson as vice president and gen- eral manager for Polaris Defense, effective immediately. Reporting directly to Bob Mack, president, Global Adjacent Markets, Olson will execute complete Polaris Defense P&L responsibility, lead and develop the long term strategy for the organization, and build it into a top supplier of innovative customer solutions to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. "John is incredibly accom- plished, is highly conversant with cutting-edge technology and has decades of experience with the Department of Defense, having both worked within that organi- zation and conducted business with it as a contractor. His com- bination of energy and expertise will be a boon to our Defense business and our company as a whole," said Scott Wine, Polaris chairman and chief executive officer. "Polaris Defense has made strides in recent years and has sig- nificant untapped potential. I am confident John is the right person to help us realize it." Olson joins Polaris from Sierra Nevada Corporation, where as vice president of its Space Systems business, he was responsible for space exploration systems, including the innovative Dream Chaser reusable spacecraft Altogether, Olson has 28 years of experience in DoD/USAF, NASA and White House public service, including 12 years at the Pentagon, as well as three years in executive leadership in private industry. He is also a veteran with active service in multiple con- flicts, including overseas and war- time support during conflicts in the Gulf, Bosnia/Kosovo, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Olson holds a B.S. degree in engineering science and mechanical engineering from the Air Force Academy, dual M.S. degrees in material science, engineering and avionics from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engi- neering from Auburn University. TWO POWERSPORTS VETERANS JOIN SUZUKI'S MANAGEMENT TEAM Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) welcomes the addition of two experienced powersports pros to its management team. Paul LaBella joins the company as communications manager, MC/ATV Division. Bruce Knight fills the role of national sales man- ager, MC/ATV Division. With more than 20 years of experience in the powersports industry LaBella has a strong background in marketing com- munications. During more than 15 years with Cycle World See Hot News, Page 5 PHOTO BY MEGHAN ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY