POWERSPORTS INDUSTRY NEWS!

MOTORCYCLE SALES CLIMB, ATV SALES DROP
As motorcycle sales increased in the U.S., ATV sales declined slightly, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). The council reported 369,544 motorcycles were sold in the first three months of 2006, which is up 3.5 percent when compared to the same period in 2005. A total of 159,648 ATV units were sold in the first quarter, down slightly from the 160,761 units sold during the same period last year, they noted. Road bike sales increased 8.6 percent to 134,557 units as offroad motorcycle sales increased 2.4 percent to 60,988 units between Jan. 1 and March 31, and dual-purpose bikes increased in sales by 27.4 percent with 7,185 units, the MIC added. Scooter sales reportedly increased 2.1 percent with the sale of 7,130 units in the first three months of this year.

OEMS CONCERNED ABOUT SPONSOR LOGO

Honda and Suzuki have expressed concerns over placing an American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) motocross sponsor logo on their team bikes, according to online news sources. In November 2005, the AMA signed a multi-year sponsorship contract with Toyota for motocross racing, reports the AMA. The motocross racing rules reportedly stipulate racers must display a 1 inch high by 8 inches long sponsor logo on their number plate. “Requiring that a competitor's brand be displayed on Suzuki's motorcycles confuses that brand awareness ... We at Suzuki, know the importance of sponsorship, but we feel the AMA needs to respect the manufacturer's brands that support their organization ... The current sponsor is a main competitor of our company worldwide,” stated Suzuki in a press release. Suzuki noted it plans to continue sponsoring teams despite the sponsorship conflict. According to the AMA, Honda made a similar complaint about having team motorcycles sporting a Toyota logo, but also agreed to meet AMA rules and continue with factory teams in the motocross series.