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NEWS
BRIEFS
As of late August , MIC Events said that AIMExpo ( Las Vegas , February 6- 8 , 2024 ) had already signed more than 15 OEMs and " hundreds of additional exhibitors that will occupy more than 225,000 square feet of exhibit space ." Show highlights include a return for the Disruptive Thinking education series ( being sponsored by Motorcycle & Powersports News ); two e-Bike demo areas ; New Product Central ; the Dealer Recharge Zone on the show floor ; the MIC Business Center , where MIC members will have access to meeting rooms , basic business services , a lounge , beverages , and lunch . At the time of writing , it appeared that AIMExpo was still anticipating Tucker Powersports ' participation in the show , on an apparently similar basis to that seen in February 2023 , including sponsorship of the Industry Party .
According to data from Moody ' s , the number of corporate debt defaults in 2023 have already blown past last year ' s total by June 30 , 3023 . 55 US firms defaulted on their debt in the first half , a + 53 % increase from total US corporate defaults in all of 2022 . Global debt defaults could keep surging as financial conditions continue to tighten , the firm warned .
K & N Engineering has appointed Craig Scanlon as CEO - replacing Randy Bays , who is taking up a board role . Scanlon brings 20 + years of leadership experience in automotive and performance powersports to K & N . He spent eighteen years at Polaris , " where he played a pivotal role in building multi-billion-dollar businesses including the Polaris RZR and Polaris Ranger brands ." He also spent four years as CEO of Transamerican Auto Parts . His love for racing , particularly off-road racing , has seen him compete in prestigious events like the BITD and SCORE series , culminating in his recent victory at this year ' s San Felipe 250 .
This summer H-D moved to fill the CFO vacancy created by Gina Goetter ' s abrupt decision to quit the role after just three years . Jonathan Root , SVP of Harley- Davidson Financial Services ( HDFS ), has been handed the hot seat , one that may prove to be a ' poison chalice ' in career terms . " Jonathan is a proven leader with extensive knowledge of our business , matched with strong financial acumen – we ' re excited to have him in place to lead the finance organisation at Harley-Davidson ," said Jochen Zeitz , Chairman , President and CEO , Harley-Davidson .
Industry Veteran Bob Kay to Lead Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council ( IMA )
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation in the United States ( MRF ) has formed a council to review the challenges that independent motorcycle dealers and custom bike builders face - providing a channel for their interests as motorcycle industry stakeholders to be addressed by MRF lobbyists in Washington , DC . " We are pleased to have Bob Kay leading the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council ," stated Kirk ' Hardtail ' Willard , " Bob ' s firsthand experience over five decades in the motorcycle industry will be invaluable in helping to direct the efforts of our lobbyists ." The MRF went on to say that " the
Bob Kay
recent focus on the future of internal combustion engines is threatening the future of independent motorcycle dealers and custom bike builders to provide alternative service centers , as well as servicing older bikes and customization projects ." Bob Kay said , " I am extremely pleased with the team we have been able to put together . The mission is to focus lobbyists on our right to repair and modify . The Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Network will be a forum through which the efforts to campaign for those rights can be protected and developed ." Chaired by Bob Kay , initial IMA Council membership includes Keith Ball from Bikernet , Chris Callen from Cyclesource Magazine , Scott Hakins from S & S , Steve Broyles from Stevenson Cycles , John Jessup from Dream Rides , Jason Hallman from Cycle Stop USA and John O ' Brien of Hardcore cycles . Independent motorcycle dealers and custom bike builders wishing to join the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Network can contact Bob Kay at IMA19032023 @ gmail . com or visit the website at www . mrf . org . There is also a private Facebook group
Major IMA Policy Issues
• The Motorcycle Riders Foundation ( MRF ) provides leadership at the federal level for states ' motorcyclists ' rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders .
• The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists .
• The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle , and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond .
Right to Repair - Riders or their repair shop of choice should have access to the tools , parts , and technology they need to service , maintain or repair their motorcycles . The right of riders and independent shops to do so needs protection from those who seek to restrict that access . Right to Modify - The ability to modify and customize a legally owned motorcycle is a fight that the MRF has won before . In the 1990s the MRF defeated a proposal that would have limited modification to " color and chrome ." We continue to fight for consumers rights to modify the products they buy . Renewable Fuels - The availability of fuel for use in motorcycles is under pressure . The MRF fights for the universal availability of
set up for discussion of these important topics plus a public Instagram page dedicated to approved fuel blends , containing no more than 10 % ethanol by volume . Internal Combustion Engines ( ICE ) - Not only is the availability of the fuel that riders need under pressure , but the engines that use that fuel are also being obsoleted . A push to ban the sale of ICE vehicles is happening right now . We believe Americans should have the right to choose what type of engine to buy and not have their choice mandated by the government . End of Life Directives - In Europe , " end of life directives " require vehicles over a certain age be turned in for destruction . Policy ideas that first appear in Europe have a history of popping up in the United States . The ability to own , collect , work on , and refurbish older motorcycles is a fundamental part of who we are as motorcyclists . The MRF will lobby against any end-oflife directives in the U . S . Protect the Motorcycle Ecosystem - Independent shops and manufacturers are a critical part of the motorcycle ecosystem . They provide choice and competition in the marketplace . The MRF believes that to preserve the lifestyle and culture of motorcycling , independent shops and manufacturers must be protected . They must be permitted a level playing field on which to openly and fairly compete for consumer business . Specific classes of motorcycle dealerships should not have a legally enshrined competitive advantage .
propagating IMA news and events . You can also support lobbyist efforts by purchasing a Sustaining Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Annual Membership at ... www . mrf . org / join / join-mrf-imac
12 AFTERMARKET MOTO DESIGN - OCTOBER 2023 www . AMDchampionship . com