TNG = MRP ULTIMATE ALLIANCE IS HERE!

MRP and CMSI Sign Parts Support and Sales Agreement

MRP and CMSI have entered into a new parts and aftermarket sales agreement. Beginning in mid-November, MRP will take over all OEM parts and aftermarket distribution of parts for CMSI.

The agreement allows MRP to expand its dealer base while helping CMSI dealers have a wider range of products and accessories.

“Given the recent economic downturn we felt we could better integrate and expand in a down market while working with specialists in the area of scooters” said Tom Lynott, president of CMSI Inc. Joel Martin of MRP continued “We felt working with CMSI made sense because the company will focus on importing units while we focus on the parts distribution unlike other buyouts or mergers we will operate as separate entities, but with the dealer in mind for the future.

“The TNG product line isn’t the same as every other Chinese scooter. The company actually has many components which are unique and will only work on their branded models, so it makes sense for us to work with TNG parts to solidify our place in the U.S. market," Martin added.

CMSI markets and distributes a broad range of product brands including TNG (Twist n' Go) and PM Tuning Racing Products as well Innovative Soft Storage Solutions. As part of the agreement, MRP will be absorbing the parts distribution, PM Tuning USA, and the Soft Storage merchandise while CMSI focuses on the unit sales. “Looking forward to 2010 we feel that TNG has a great program for its distributors and dealers which will allow us to expand into a whole new range of dealerships. We also admire the work and effort TNG has made the past 15 years, meaning it’s a brand we want to represent” Martin said.

Martin Racing Performance “MRP” has been selling aftermarket and OEM products to scooter and go kart dealers in North America for the past five years. It is sold and distributed by over 1,000 retail and repair shops nationwide. For more information, visit www.mrp-speed.com. CMSI Inc., with headquarters near Seattle, Wash., has been a leader the last 15 years in designing, distributing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting affordable, high-value motor scooters in the United States. New 2010 models will be announced in the coming months with support and parts coming from MRP. For more information, visit www.tngscooters.com. Both CMSI and MRP will continue to operate independently. MRP plans on having on display new accessories and upgrades for new 2010 TNG models at Dealer Expo in Feb 2010. More on the agreement will be made available to the dealers and distributors before the annual Indy Show Meeting.

Win a Robot from MRP

So I'm giving away a robot this month to the best MRP dealer. I thought it would be a cool idea its a replica of the SYM Jet Fighter scooter.

Best Dealer this month gets a robot, let's see if it catches on.

Taking a Closer Look at Kymco

So we get a lot of questions about Kymco here at MRP. I've been involved with Kymco for a long time to say almost 10 years now. I first heard of them in Italy back when I was importing Malaguti Scooters between 2000-2005 to the US. The company was number 15 in sales in Italy at the time and had just become a supplier to Malaguti replacing Yamaha for the 150cc engine category. Simply put they offered the Italian OEM a better price and similar quality on their 150cc engines. Fast Forward 10 years and now Kymco is 3rd in sales having knocked off Yamaha as the 3rd best selling Scooter in Italy. This is unheard of in the kingdom of scooters called Italy.

In any case they are three times the size of the other brands. Taiwan is home to many scooter brands that are popular abroad but in Taiwan only Kymco and SYM seem to sell in their home market. The island's 22 million inhabitants own and operate about 11 million motorized two-wheelers mostly Kymco, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and SYM models. Most of the models Americans know such as Eton, CPI, KPI, and others are for export only and don't really have much market clout on the island.

(KYMCO)has dominates with an average of 35 to 37% percent market share the last few years followed by Yamaha Motor Taiwan Co., a subsidiary of Japan's Yamaha Motor Co., which also has about a 30% percent market share, followed by Sanyang Industry Co. 27 to 27% percent percent market share. This is constantly changing, but followed closely by Honda and other brands. Smaller imported brands like Vespa - Piaggio sell in Taiwan but command less than 1% of the market. Some brands known in the USA are only for export or command less than a 1 to 2% market share in their home country such as Eton, CPI, or PGO. Some of these brands might be selling well in the US, but on a worldwide or Italian scale (how the industry really measures things) they dont have much market share. To understand the sheer size of Kymco see the attached article link.

One thing I will warn about is buying fake Kymco parts and scooters. Over the years I have seen them such as SYMCO, ZYMCO, CYWYNCO, DO NOT BUY THESE. I know some US cheap Chinese Parts importers are selling them, but they will likely not work on an OEM Kymco. Stay away from this stuff. Watch my video to see what I am talking about.

If you get the chance make sure to check out a Kymco at your nearest dealership.

Who are they? What does the Scooter Maven think of the brand? Let's talk about Kymco, KYMCO OEM parts and the future of the company. As an added bonus we have a link on the MRP website to our new article on our tour of the Kymco factory. Take a closer look at sales by clicking on the following article.

www.mrp-speed.com

Check out this new article on the Mavens visit to the Kymco Factory 2009
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/REPAIR%20MANUALS/PRESS/scooter.pdf

Distributor Direct? Is it really a good thing?

One of the reason many scooter stores are closing is the fact that both in scooters and parts many of the distributors are selling retail. You see it on Ebay, craigslist, mailorder, the attacks on the small dealer are evident everywhere. This is sort of the grey area of the industry and two of the largest distributors in the industry in general are now doing this. Magazines wont talk about it because they are in desperate need of ads so the industry continues down this path.

Desperate times many of these importers sell to consumers sometimes at the same price as stores leaving no margin for the US retailer. The loss of the small mom and pop shop is something the motorcycle industry will never ever recover from. Margins are already thin on the best known brands and getting thinner by the day on Italian and Japanese product lines. Meaning the entire industry will soon be Chinese.

When a dealer asks me what to do my biggest suggestion is that they start looking for another distributor. I'm probably one of the few not selling direct at the moment, but how much longer can that last when the entire industry is changing? Pretty soon all distributors will be selling direct including manufacturers. Usually if distributors sell at retail they sell at MSRP, not to undercut their wholesale customers, but thats not the case anymore. Our industry is run by a bunch rats right now who are only thinking of making a quick buck - screw the dealer - screw the consumer mentality. It is not professional or business wise to bite the hand that feeds them, but thats exactly whats happening to the small stores.

Given the level of information of many small business owners or the level of sophistication for internet sales and I will buy it from whoever has it mentality nothing will change. They dont do their research and the ones that do dont have the influence to stop it. Dealer 20 groups and Dealer Associations are loosing their power every year meaning that the bigger companies are getting bigger at the expense of the small guy.

It's a catch 22. Without the small dealers there is no industry, but since many of them are not buying it does not surprise me to see more and more OEM suppliers, helmet makers, and distributors selling consumer direct.

It's sad, but thats the industry we are in.

Taiwan Scooter Show

Today were sharing part of the Taiwan Show with our fans. Take a look as the Scooter Maven visits Taitra 2009.

I was invited this year to be a guest speaker at the Taiwan Scooter Show. We decided to share some of our adventures for our fans.

www.mrp-speed.com

PART 1



PART 2 - SEE PART OF THE SCOOTER MAVEN SPEECH

NEED CPI Scooter Parts? We got them

Visit us at MRP for a full selection of racing and OEM CPI scooter / ATV parts. Thats right!


Looking for CPI Parts? Then MRP is your one and only source for OEM CPI Parts!

Starting in late 2009 MRP now carries the full OEM lineup of CPI parts. Please visit our website www.mrp-speed.com where you can look up repair manuals (under the repair manual section) get your OEM part numbers and look them up on our site. We have the full selection of racing upgrades and CPI OEM parts for the award winning GTR 50cc, 150cc, 180cc, Oliver Sport, and the full 50cc - 250cc ATV lineup. If you need CPI scooter parts we got them. Buy from one of our dealers or online dealers and ship right to your house. For more info visit www.mrp-speed.com

Let's get rid of all the Bailouts and Bank of America

I had a dealer call me, he lost his business, his house, and he's repairing scooters now at his clients houses because he has no place to work. He had been in business 30 years. I am sick and tired of hearing stories like this.

This is just a rant for the MRP blog, but I believe in making money and running a business, but 2008 and 2009 were bad years for many of our clients. Everytime I watch the news it's bail out this or bailout that.

I deal with about a 1,000 small retailers and I would like to think I feel the beat of whats happening in America. Our country is hurting and it makes me sick to know that BOA is kicking people out of their homes while executives get golden parachutes. Some of our dealers are doing extremely well and I'm usually a positive person. In bad times you do see who are the snakes and oil salesmen in the Powersports Industry which has been a good thing since now we see who they are. The fly by night guys are leaving, but whats sad is that you also loose good clients.

I'm sick of all the bailout money going to banks and people like CEO Kenneth D. Lewis, who is quitting as its chief executive at year's end, he's getting $68.8 million in free money. More money than anyone deserves for kicking people out of their houses and making money on other peoples misery. These people should be in jail not living in mansions. America has lost it's way.

I say we start a new revolution and burn our checkbooks!

What is wrong with Bank of America and why won't someone put an end to this madness?

Forged GY6 Pistons

Forged GY6 150cc to 200cc Pistons. Need I say more?

If you're looking at racing then you need the ultimate forged pistons from MRP.

Click here for the link.

GY6 Forged Pistons got your attention, now get one so you can race like a Pro.

Preparing for the season for SCOOTER STORES!

More recommendations from MRP

Preparing for the season
Winter can be rough on a scooter and in some wet or icy conditions it’s not recommended that it be ridden. The engine temperature goes from extremely hot to cold and back to sizzling in a range of a few minutes. It's important that you stock and sell to your customer’s high performance synthetic oils, better spark plugs, and get a battery tender. When a scooter is put into storage you should always recommend that the client change his oil, add a fuel stabilizer, and a spark plug. Same goes for the summer months. During the summer you have longer drives, temperature extremes, congested traffic, and more stop and go wear on a scooter. Always recommend that the customer check for noisy, loose, or over tight belts, and then replace them for a longer lasting transmission system (In these cases we recommend upgrading to Kevlar) new rollers, maintaining the right tire pressure, and cleaning the carburetor allow for better performance and a longer lasting scooter. Most consumers forget they need to flush out the oil once a year on a scooter depending on how much they drive. They also don’t check their brake pads until they stop working so it’s your job to send them reminders on your store newsletter, email, or by just giving them a call. Just think of what your local Firestone or Jiffy Lube station does to constantly remind their clients to come in. To run an efficient store that’s what you need to do. Sending out a postcard to your clients (remember to add the MRP logo and parts list to it) will always get you business before the seasons and keep your customers safe on the road.

Scooter Bling and Why you should Stock It

The importance of accessories
Anyone who has watched Orange County Choppers or Monster Garage knows how important custom bikes are in the motorcycle industry. In the rest of the world from Italy to Japan customizing a scooter is a normal part of the industry. The emergence of the hip hop and urban style around the world is undeniable. This is now starting to take off in America as well so don’t get left out by not stocking accessories. Clients tend to invest more in customizing a scooter than what they spent on the scooter. A good shop has one or two custom scooters on display and we don’t mean vintage we mean “new.” Never underestimate the importance of having chrome accessories, rims, and other body kits in stock. These are hot items which sell themselves. From racing exhausts to cup holders if you don’t have them it only means someone else is selling them. This is what separates your business from the fly by night guy who only orders parts as people need them. In the world of customization you have to invest to be the best. If you stock it, display it, and show it off your clients will keep coming back to build their dream bike.