Triumphrat

cafetbird · 12-11-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-10 10:30, jimmyj900 wrote:
It seems to me though, that Triumph should throw some bux at local dealers for the shows and let the dealers show the bikes. That would still be cheaper than bringing in the truck and could work well with a loaner set of factory banners, displays, etc.

Jim

They DID do this, Jimmy - dealers get "Co-op" funds from Triumph for local promotion. As I understand it, they dumped the show, and upped the co-op dollars as a result.

So, we should still see a few Triumph at the shows, if the local dealers are worth their salt, but just no fancy displays, or mock ups of next year's models.

jimmyj900 · 12-12-2005

Quote:

They DID do this, Jimmy - dealers get "Co-op" funds from Triumph for local promotion. As I understand it, they dumped the show, and upped the co-op dollars as a result.

Good to hear that!

Now if the dealers will just step up to the plate...

Jim

Shorty · 12-13-2005

Jimmyj900...here at the Dallas /Ft.Worth show the dealer had a booth with a Rocket III and (2) nice looking young ladies with a banner telling folks to go to the dealership for the Demo truck rides.
Problem was, no new 675 Daytona's or Scrambler's ...just 2005 Models to my recollection and no 2006's at all. However,the turn-out at the Demo Rides was huge with riders coming in on their BMW's, various Japanese bikes and HD's with most interest being shown in the Rocket III's, Tigers and Speed triples.
In my opinion, I think Triumph figured-out that they can attract more business that way as opposed to handing out catalogs, most of which will probably not result in any sales anyway and wind up at the land fill eventually.

Shorty

KingBear · 12-13-2005

I travel to a number of consumer and industry trade shows every year both as an attendee and an exhibitor, and I can attest to the fact that it is a HUGE investment to exhibit at these shows. The displays, or “booths” as we call them, are custom built and cost a fortune. The price per square foot of exhibit space, shipping expenses, travel, etc. is outrageous. A lot of big companies in various industries are making the same decision as Triumph – they are sitting out the big, expensive shows and doing smaller local promotions that reach more people. The price of doing a single major show could pay for an entire sales staff to travel nationwide doing promotions for a year.

The question is: will they put up what they promise? Will we see them in our towns and at our dealerships hosting events? If so, we ALL win! If not, we all have the right to heave the rotten tomatoes at them.

The following comes directly from the Triumph corporate website:

"TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE TO SIT-OUT 2005/2006 INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOWS

Triumph Motorcycles has announced that they will not be attending the 2005-2006 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows. According to company spokesman, Todd Andersen, Triumph feels that the shows are a great opportunity to connect with a good portion of the motorcycle buying public. But, after attending for 10 years in a row, Triumph has decided to take a break this year to free up resources for some new marketing initiatives. “There are a number of exciting new programs we want to try out this year including expanded advertising, promotion and public relations.” said Andersen. “By skipping the shows this year, we’ve freed up a lot of our marketing and sales resources to pursue these new ideas.”

Triumph has increasingly focused on events where new consumers can experience their products first-hand on demonstration rides. Andersen stated: “We’re upped the ante with our demo truck and improved incentives to our dealers to give demo rides. We encourage anyone who’s interested in Triumph’s bikes to visit their local dealer or attend one of our demo events to try a Triumph first-hand”.

For information and locations of Triumph’s dealers or to see their schedule of demo events, please visit our Demo Events calendar.

[ This message was edited by: KingBear on 2005-12-14 06:42 ]

kingpindog · 12-15-2005

I can agree about demo rides vs. shows, but Triumph was also conspicuosly absent last July at Mid-Ohio for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days demo rides given by Harley Davidson, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, and Ducati. This is a big event with lots of riders lined up to demo the new bikes. I did ride a Triumph Rocket III back in 2004 at the local dealer demo. That was a real rush!

cafetbird · 12-15-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-15 14:43, kingpindog wrote:
I can agree about demo rides vs. shows, but Triumph was also conspicuosly absent last July at Mid-Ohio for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days demo rides given by Harley Davidson, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, and Ducati. This is a big event with lots of riders lined up to demo the new bikes.

They will be absent again this year, because it is a long haul to Laguna Seca for the MotoGP, they are small, and they only have one truck! The price the AMA pays for poor planning, I guess... and the price we pay for the uniqueness of our brand. Triumph WAS there however - in the form of the Thuxton Challenge.

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-12-15 19:36 ]

JohnRimmer · 12-17-2005

I think Triumph are being very sensible.They are a relatively small company and we have to be realistic about the reources and money required to do the big shows.For comparison,the big national show in the UK was at the NEC Birmingham.Triumph were there of course,but the only Italian manufacturer was Ducati.No Aprilia,MV or Moto Guzzi.It's all about cost.I belive it's about £500,000 just to hire the space - that's a lot of cash for one show.Triumph dealers are the best place to see the bikes and my experience is that it is much easier to get a testride on a Triumph than other makes.

cafetbird · 12-17-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-17 10:05, JohnRimmer wrote:
For comparison,the big national show in the UK was at the NEC Birmingham.Triumph were there of course,but the only Italian manufacturer was Ducati.No Aprilia,MV or Moto Guzzi.

And guess what? Ducati is in financial distress - getting bought out, and they have not made a profit in years.

I agree with John - Triumph is being fiscally responsible - unlike some other motorcycle companies that think with their heart instead of their head. Thanks to John Bloor's sensibilities, Triumph will most likely be around for a long time into the future!

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-12-17 12:32 ]

jimmyj900 · 12-17-2005

It seems a lot like the big motorcycle show venues are busy cutting their own throats. If they keep the site prices high for the prime spaces they're only going to have the little guys show up in the cheap spots.

That doesn't do much for us motorcyclists.

The folks at the shows have to add the show cost into their products and that jacks the price up.

Jim

Saigon5 · 12-18-2005

The price of a booth in a show, let's say one the European show, in Germany for example. I use this one because I know the prices. A booth that is 9 meter x 4 meter or roughly 400 square feet is about 7000 $

That is a bit small for motorcycle so you would need to double that at least. This is basically the cheapest expense of the show, bringing the product there, the staff and so on and you end up with a nice invoice. A rough total, give or take 5000 $ will be about 40,000 $ for a three days show. Now you have to multiply by the amount of shows they are doing.

I think Triumph is smart in cutting some of the shows they are doing. The reason I am saying this is simply because, there are too many shows and the direct result of a show are very limited.

One thing that the consumer does not see is that the show making is a business, they are in the business of selling floor space. The amount of shows available is multiplying every year. At the moment if you talk to any companies doing show most of them will tell you that exhibitors and visitors are showed out. A lot of people are looking for alternative.

It is sad for some that they will not see the new products at this year show but if Triumph really does spend the money at the dealers, they have a much better chance of selling a bike there than at a show. One would be much more incline to sign papers after a test ride instead of looking at the bike in a show.

Reality of a show is that most consumers go there to collect a pile of catalogue that they will put in a drawer when they get home and will put the same pile of catalogue in the garbage the following year.

Triumph is still doing many shows but it could be that they became more selective in which one they will do.

For one I wish they spend the advertisement dollars at the dealer. This way I could have a test ride on the 675.

Let's make a quick poll here. We are all Triumph owners. How many of us bought there bike as a direct result of a show. Meaning that at the show the decision was made to buy it.