Harley-Davidson dealerships take 1, 2, 3 at Friday night event
Feb 16, 2007
By:
Mary Slepicka
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Harley-Davidson dealers hit the trifecta last night, winning the top three awards at the Dealernews Top 100 awards ceremony, an invitation-only event held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Expect next year's show to be slightly different, logistically. Dealer Expo show management is planning a new layout for the RCA Dome exhibits that will organize exhibitors into thematic clusters to simplify the Expo experience for exhibitors and visitors.
Foreign exhibitors will be relocated to the RCA Dome, with a pavilion-style exhibits for China, Canada, Taiwan and Europe. Pakistan may be grouped in these pavilions as well. The popular Italian Pavilion, however, will remain in the main hall.
Owners of new 2006 model-year motorcycles are reporting fewer problems with their bikes than they have in the past, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Motorcycle Competitive Information Study.
Larger displacement ATVs and UTVs sourced from overseas are a dominant trend at the 2007 Dealer Expo. Just a couple of years ago, Expo attendees saw the largest product coming from Taiwan, China and other "New Asian" manufacturers represented by 200cc, 250cc or 300cc units. Now, product on display includes 450cc units, 500cc units, and even 650cc vehicles.
Motonation, the importer and distributor of Sidi, Spidi and Set Up product, achieved double-digit sales growth in 2006. The company celebrates its eighth anniversary in 2007.
At least one Dealer Expo exhibitor says he's spent most of the weekend guarding his booth against potential counterfeiters.
John Burns, CEO and president of Team Joyner USA, says since Friday night he's personally kicked out other exhibitors taking detailed pictures of his sand rails, UTVs and other products. The problem has gotten so bad, Burns says, he's had security out to his booth in the RCA Dome to watch for offenders.
Women's motorcycling apparel made a big splash in 2006 with lots of new styles and colors. Women riders were excited to start seeing some fashionable and functional gear for them. Now for 2007, we're seeing some key trends emerging from the women's market here at Dealer Expo.
Fairchild Sports (booth 528) introduced its women's line of apparel, G, last year. At this year's Dealer Expo the company is launching Super G, a line of non-technical riding apparel that's "steeped in attitude." Dan Angel, senior project manager with Fairchild Sports, says, "Super G is a high end line of motorcycle jackets for a woman to wear when she's not on the motorcycle."
A few interesting things that have been going on.
