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Tuesday 1 May 2018

News Briefs



European Dealers looking to access Drag Specialties or other European held Parts Europe inventory at the weekend can take advantage of PE’s new “Happy Monday” delivery service. Monday delivery is available on orders placed by 16:00 hours on a Saturday afternoon (UPS Express); an English language payment and processing phone service is available between 14.00-16.00 to support PE dealers looking to use this service. The existing freight policy standards for each country will be retained.

For a third straight season, Parts Unlimited will be an Associate Sponsor of the 2018 MotoAmerica Series, with two more events added to the schedule for the popular Parts Unlimited Fan Appreciation Stage.

Textron announced fourth quarter revenues $4.0 Bn up and segment profit of $360 million, down $31 million. The company is forecasting 2018 revenues of approximately $14.6 billion, up 3.0 percent from the prior year.

BMW Motorrad reported U.S. sales of 13,546 motorcycles for 2017, down just 1.3% from the 13,730 motorcycles sold in 2016 - outpacing the rest of the motorcycle industry (which was down -3.2%) and its relevant competition (which was down -6.3%). They posted +15% growth in sales from September through December 2017, with all-time record monthly sales in November 2017. BMW has 153 dealers in the U.S.

The KTM Group saw unit sales increase by +17% for 2017 at 238,334 (Husqvarnas and KTMs). The company aims to sell 400,000 motorcycles annually by the business year 2022.

Influential industry veteran Arnold W. Ackerman has retired as an MIC Board Member and from leadership of the Aftermarket/Allied Trades Committee. His decision to step aside was influenced by the need to be with his wife, diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Ackerman is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, but is best known as the year 2000 founder of the Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG). AMD wishes him well in his retirement and is most saddened to hear of his wife’s illness – our thoughts are with them both.

Indian Motorcycle has issued a recall for certain 2015-2017 Roadmaster motorcycles. Water may enter the trunk wiring harness, potentially causing the brake light to remain illuminated even when the brakes are not applied.

Yoshimura R&D of America has a new CEO/CFO – he is Yusaku Yoshimura, grandson of legendary founder and race guru Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura, who founded the company 64 years ago in Japan. After 38 years with the company current CEO Don Sakakura will move into an advisory role for the company. Yusaku Yoshimura had previously been heading up their internationally respected R&D department.