Triumphrat

doglanta

I will stand by my beliefs and statements that the International Motorcycle Show is a great way for manufacturers to show off their products to the public which in turn will stimulate brand interest and sales. And be sure that Triumph is like any other motorcycle manufacturer in that their number one goal is to sell metal.

Don't be a show-hater just because you don't live in an area where the show visits. I think if you were in the market for a new bike and lived near a show city you would also find it a valuable tool in making your purchasing decision.

As far as Triumph decision to abandon the show and in a smaller way the American motorcycle enthusiasts, I am guessing their decision was made by a coin toss or maybe a round of rock-paper-scissors. That is the only way I can explain their business decision.

Have a good night, I'm going to go look at the brochures I picked up at the show!
Ken

__________________
Doglanta (Ken)
2005 Triumph Rocket III
2008 Triumph Speed Triple (awaiting delivery)

Diego

Somehow I didn't think that statement would remain operative for long.

Both true, with qualifications. Yet it does not therefor logically follow that Triumph should jump on the same bandwagon as everyone else. Were Triumph in the position of having excess production capacity (they don't) and/or ready to make a sudden expansion (they're not--they do it by a careful timetable, not based on current market whims that would necessitate debt), it might make sense for them. Right now it doesn't.

They make no decisions of this sort capriciously, and they review their strategies on a regular basis. This is a company that pays more attention to its management consultants and focus groups than most others I've encountered. And the results seem to be panning out for them. They've remained consistently on track for their sales goals since discontinuing the expense of attending all these shows. They're running well in the black. As long as that holds true, can you find one convincing argument why Triumph should change their minds? I sure can't think of one.

And kindly don't impugn other people's motives without knowing the facts. Up until two years ago, I lived only a little farther from downtown Atlanta than you do, and will again in about two months. I used to find the show interesting once in a while, but it was never a factor in any of my buying decisions.

Before I buy, I usually have a pretty good idea what I'm looking for already...be it bikes, boats or cars. I research online, read magazines, call or write for literature, and visit dealers. True, you may get to see a new model at a show a lot sooner than you'll see it at a dealership, but I don't buy on that tight a timescale anyway.

Now, if other people do, that's fine. I don't criticize anyone for enjoying the show. for whatever reasons they may have.

But it's an excessive leap of logic to think these shows are an indispensible marketing tool for every manufacturer, or even most consumers! They're not a trade show in the classic sense. That's not why they exist. They are first and foremost a profit center for the show's organizers, let us remember.

That's why it strikes me as silly to criticize Triumph for not participating in the hoopla--especially when the evidence is very clear that they still achieve the results they (not you nor I) are seeking, without all the bother. If the day comes when their sales turn stagnant while other marques are on the increase, then you can bet we'll see them reconsider. Right now it's just the opposite.

I get the sense that some people take it as a personal insult...a sign that Triumph doesn't love them any more or something...but it's one way they keep the company healthy and the products priced reasonably at the same time. If that's "tough love," so be it.

__________________
John

HospiceRN

It's not an insult to me, but it seems like a dumb thing to not put their brand on the ads for the IMS. Let's face it, those ads are in every motorcycling mag on the stands. Why not encourage more dealers to step up to the plate and do what Matt, Bill and the team from N. GA Triumph are doing?

Stiles

In our case, the show would be at the Javitz center in NYC.

Do you know how much it would cost us to have a decent display there? It's a heap of money.

More than we can afford, and we sell a good number of Triumphs. Individual dealers -especially smaller ones- have to decide what area of promotion will bring them the best return for their investment. Triumph (and Ducati as well) have posted national year-over-year sales gains of 7% plus, in a year when virtually every other decent sized marque declined or was flat.

They know what they're doing, and have the consistent results to prove it.

__________________
"If we cannot be free, we can at least be cheap" - Frank Zappa