International Dealer News IDN 139 October/November 2017 | Page 15

AIMExpo’s Columbus, Ohio, debut a success with Harley and Polaris CEOs pointing to need to work together to promote motorcycle ownership to new generations as MIC unveils new ‘Ride’ initiative … he fifth annual MIC (Motorcycle Industry Council) AIMExpo made a promising debut at Columbus, Ohio, in September, after four years at Orlando, Florida, with some 500 or so exhibitors from all sectors of the motorcycle and wider powersports industry being generally satisfied with the attendance, even if nobody there ‘was able to pull up trees’ in business-done terms. The show had the backing of most of the top selling OEs in America, and many of those who wish to become so, and the choice of venue was especially popular with the V-twin parts and accessory industry in the United States – a market that was boosted by the participation of both Indian Motorcycle and Harley- Davidson for the first time. There were more new product offerings on show than IDN had expected to see, especially given the pressure that new product development budgets are coming under in a U.S. market best described as “soft” in new model registration and parts and accessory sales terms. However, that may also be a timing consideration. T Words by Robin Bradley [email protected] Pics by Sara Viney [email protected] Additional photography by AIMExpo Although common sense dictates that the fall is the most logical timing for a market whose distributor inventory decisions and catalogue cycles place a premium on being ready early, the domestic U.S. parts and accessory industry has not always been one where common sense has been King. The parts, accessory and apparel industry in America has always been geared towards launching new products in January and February, which is historically peak season for trade shows closer to peak cash cycle, and with the three leading importer/distributors now focussing their own events at that time and placing vendor expo budgets under ever increasing pressure in a declining market, achieving the worthy objective of bringing the aftermarket more in line with OE new model cycles may continue to be a challenge, especially as logistics and dealer inventories continue to be shaped by increasing online ordering. The mid-western United States has always been the V- twin heartland of the American motorcycle industry, and although the organisers have confirmed a return to Columbus in September 2019 after a year in Las Vegas (October 11-14) in 2018, many V-twin-specific INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 15