International Dealer News IDN 155 June/July 2020 | Page 8

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NEWS
BRIEFS
Asphalt & Rubber reports that
German automotive suspension
specialist Bilstein is said to be about
to enter the motorcycle suspension
market for the first time later this
year with gas pressurised monotube
design front forks and coil-over
design rear shock absorbers with
compression and rebound
adjustment for the BMW S100RR,
2009 and up. It is thought that the
German manufacturer will aim to go
head-to-head for the top-end of the
suspension market and OEM
contracts with the likes of Öhlins,
Showa, Sachs and WP.
The Honda factory is to recall the
CBR1000RR-R in Europe over
concerns about a possible problem
with the con-rods. Some 300 units
are thought to be affected. So far,
there have been no failures, but
Honda has decided to act straight
away as a precaution. It does not
affect the models being sold in the
United States, but in other news it
would appear that U.S. dealer
deliveries are now being delayed
until mid-September at the
soonest, due to claimed supply
chain difficulties.
Well known British dealer and
distributor Three Cross Motorcycles has
been placed into administration - a prebankruptcy
stage in the UK that allows
businesses to restructure its debts and
activities. Founded in 1978, the
Ringwood, Hampshire based dealership
has held the Triumph motorcycles
franchise in Dorset since 1991 and
began importing Peugeot scooters into
the UK in 1995 - supplying a network of
around 200 dealers. At various times
Three Cross had also sold Cagiva,
Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Laverda, Moto
Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta and
Yamaha; the company says that after a
restructuring exercise a short while ago,
the coronavirus pandemic had left it
with no further financial wiggle room.
Piaggio has patented 'Active Aero'
- aileron-style winglets that should
assist handling and grip - an
evolution of the controversial tech
seen in MotoGP. The patent (for
winglets on either side that can
move independently of each
other) is seen in filing drawings on
an MP3 but, of course, "relates to
the field of two- or three-wheeled
motor vehicles", so is clearly
something that they must be
eyeing for the Aprilia RSV4.
AIMExpo - Three days
of dealer only at
Columbus, Ohio,
in January 2021
Having been confidently telling the
market that fall/autumn timing is best
for an industry expo and that combined
public and dealer attendance is 'the
new black' where such events are
concerned, the MIC's AIMExpo
management team has 'gone back to
the future' to the old Advanstar 'Indy'
Dealer Expo playbook to try to succeed
where that and similar shows failed.
Under the pay-off line "The Show, the
People, the Experience, the Education -
Building the Future of Powersports",
Irvine, California based MIC Events has
announced that its American
International Motorcycle Expo
(AIMExpo) is moving to January 21-23,
2021 at the Greater Columbus
Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio
(it having been slated to be held there
in September this year) as a three- day
dealer only expo.
"North America's largest powersports
show is changing more than timing;
the show will become a trade-only
event and emerge as an integral part
of the buying season."
"Timing is everything," said Cinnamon
Kernes, a former Advanstar show
executive and currently Vice President
and General Manager at the MIC's
events division. "Transitioning to the
first quarter has been part of a longterm
strategic plan for AIMExpo, along
with providing more focus on our core
audience - dealers.
"These changes not only align the
show with the ideal buying time for
dealers and retailers, but also provide
the perfect opportunity for brands to
reconnect with dealers, kicking off
what will be a pivotal year for the
industry."
In remarks that are widely open to
interpretation, Kernes went on to state:
"Additionally, this move to January
opens the door to partner with a major
distributor in a much more strategic
and meaningful way."
(Photo: Greater Columbus Convention Center)
The void opened up by the closure of
the 'Indy' and 'Cinci' shows has been
filled by three distributor events at that
time - Tucker Powersports at Fort Worth
in January, the WPS/HardDrive
vendor/rep sales meeting in their Boise,
Idaho, hometown convention centre
(also in January) and Parts
Unlimited/Drag Specialties' impressive
and wildly successful spring NVP and
Dealer Expo at Louisville, Kentucky, in
February.
The AIMExpo release appears to
suggest that show management is
hoping to persuade one of the three to
fold their event with AIMExpo in
Columbus - something that could
create strategic complexities.
When asked the question, Kernes said
that "adding a third show in Q1,
especially with all that's happening,
would be a mighty big ask for our
industry - not something we would do.
"So yes, we are planning and hoping
to host distributors that recognise the
(Photo courtesy: brandcolumbus.com)
opportunity presented by hosting their
annual dealer show at AIMExpo.
"A trade-only show allows AIMExpo to
concentrate on industry needs and
education at a time when powersports
needs it most. Quality over quantity is
necessary in the new trade show
landscape. With this new focus on
retailers, the show will now take place
over three days instead of four, saving
exhibitors and attendees time and
money.
"COVID-19 has forced retailers and
manufacturers to change the way they
do business – at warp speed.
AIMExpo's education programmes,
developed in partnership with PSB, will
focus on these ideas and innovations
to help retailers improve efficiency, stay
competitive and improve bottom lines.
AIMExpo will provide tools and
solutions for retailers as we start the
new year."
8 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - JUNE/JULY 2020
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