Going into the Expo and Dealer News Jan Issue

So we're pretty excited about the Dealer Show this year, we're making appointments, talking about the new CCW bikes, the CPI 2011 Scooters on display next to us in the PIT MOTORS booth ( to see the show floor plan visit www.DealerExpo.com and type in MRP ) a ton of stuff is happening. We officially joined SEMA and will be exhibiting at the Vegas Show.

We have new exhausts from TURBO KIT (www.Turbokit.net) on display that nobody else in the industry has, plus new 2011 Jackets from Armadillo Scooter Wear, as well as the latest for NG Disks including the GY6 anodized disks ( you won't find those on any of the major websites like Dennis Kirk, Cycle Solutions, Motosport, nope only MRP dealers have them. So we are excited about all the new lines and what we will have on display for the independent shops.

Make sure to stop by our booth for a free copy of the latest Scoot Magazine, plus Josh Rogers the editor will be giving a seminar this year on how to run a better Scooter Shop. It's a free class and everyone is welcome to attend, plus they will have some giveways.

You can also check out the latest Scoot Online with the Scooter Mavens article at:
http://scootmagazine.zt02.net/zetanextpages/ScootMagazine_Dec_2010.html


So make sure to support Scoot and get a free copy at the Dealer Expo either at the Josh Rogers Scooter Session or at the MRP booth.


http://scootmagazine.zt02.net/zetanextpages/ScootMagazine_Oct_2010.html?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Digitalversion&utm_campaign=ScootMagazine_Oct2010

The October issue has an article on the founder of the Scooter Super Stores of America the late great Peter Warrick as well. Make sure to visit it online at Scoot Magazine.
To make things even better if your a dealer you should be getting this months copy of Dealer News in the mail right about now and there's a great interview that we didn't know was going to appear on 2010 and the future. You can read it online at Dealer News http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=701853&searchString=Joel%20Martin

We also have the new ads appearing in all the trade magazines. Plus we should have some big announcements at the show about the EV industry and how we hope to streamline it. Too many people are assembling generic plastics from China with no clear vision as to the parts situation for the future - MRP will be making waves as we team up with some of the bigger names. Wait for our prediction on the EV Scooter and Motorcycle Industry at the forum at Dealer Expo this year.

So in the meantime check out our new ads and make sure to make it to our booth 5711 at the Dealer Expo.

Here's a small segment from the article at DealerNews.com - to read the rest get a copy of Dealer News or click on the link. http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=701853&searchString=Joel%20Martin

Joel Martin, president of Martin Racing Products, on what he learned from 2010.

"I think dealers need to stop spreading themselves too thin, with too many suppliers or buying from too many people who undercut them. Maybe they should get smarter about this. If the small dealer only thinks about the short term, that’s what their business is going to be. Don’t get on the phone and tell people that you buy from whoever is the cheapest, because you will never build up loyalty points or volume with any distributor.

"I’m still the smallest guy in the business, but what people fail to realize is in terms of volume, a company like United Motors of America sold more units than Carter, TGB, CPI, and Genuine combined. They were around for 15 years, and at one point, had 400 dealerships. There are more UM-branded products in the U.S. floating around than all the SYMs and PGOs out there, and now we have the parts.

"2010 showed us that big and small companies can fail. Every day we are open I consider a gift. I’m thankful for 2010, and I have a feeling that 2011 will be about service — this whole industry is about the last man standing right now.

"We have a huge opportunity ahead of us, and I’m probably the only guy that goes to sleep praying for $5 gas."



Visit Martin Racing Performance at the Dealer Expo 2011 Booth 5711

www.DealerExpo.com

Dealer Expo 2011 and this months Dealer News Issue

Well I know everyone is eager to visit MRP at booth 5711, but there's more going on including some classes you can't afford to miss.

The DealernewsLearning Experience for Scooter Dealers
2011 presents a vastly expanded seminar and conference program at Indy, complete with show floor and classroom sessions including the new Scooter Store session run by Josh Rogers of Scoot Magazine fame. Make sure to sign up early and attend the session.

Also check out this months interview in Dealer News Magazine:
http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/Dealer+Expo+Update/Joel-Martin-MRP-2011-will-be-about-service/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/701853


So make sure to come to booth 5711 to see MRP!

More parts than anyone at Indy 2011 that's right come visit us at Dealer Expo www.DEALEREXPO.com

Make sure to add booth 5711 to your show stops.
http://www.mrp-speed.com

NEW AD IN POWERSPORTS MAGAZINES BOOTH 5711

Scooter Dealers will be happy to see our new ads with Jonway in Motorcycle Product News ( MPNMAG.com ) , Powersports Business, Dealer News, and Scoot Magazine. We are in all the trades for Dealer Expo 2011.

So make sure to come to booth 5711 to see MRP!

More parts than anyone at Indy 2011 that's right come visit us at Dealer Expo www.DEALEREXPO.com

Make sure to add booth 5711 to your show stops.
http://www.mrp-speed.com

New Dealer Expo Ads for Booth 5711 Martin Racing Performance

Below is our new ad for 2011. Make sure to come check out the MRP booth at number 5711.

Make sure to let us know if your coming out to the Dealer Expo.

Come see the lastest from CPI, CCW, PIT MOTORS, upgrades and racing parts from TK Exhausts, NG DISC BRAKE, AND MORE!

More parts than anyone at Indy 2011 that's right come visit us at Dealer Expo www.DEALEREXPO.com Make sure to add booth 5711 to your show stops.
http://www.mrp-speed.com

MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models)
CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts. Every scooter is someone's first ride we help the dealers and consumers find those hard to find parts. Doesn't matter what brand it is we've been doing the Chinese scooter parts thing since 2004 so we can help you find the right part. Since January 2009 MRP has expanded by acquiring the QJ -- Keeway Southeast distribution parts warehouse the Diamo USA / LS Motorsports / Italjet USA parts warehouse CPI -- TAIWAN Distribution and TNG Scooters. The company has OEM parts for Malaguti scooters of Italy Benelli (acquired by QJ in 2006) the Italian brand now made in China and sold in the USA under the Andretti name MH Motorhispania of Spain RX Loncin Lifan Linhai Zongshen Wangye MS UTVs and CPI Taiwan.

MRP is the only source for UMGLOBAL United Motors of America scooter parts now that United Motors (www.UMGlobal.com) has closed in the USA. We also offer Hyosung parts as well Franco Morini kits for scooters.

In addition the company distributes performance parts from Athena Malossi Turbo Kit Innova Vee Rubber Duro Bando Gates Powerlink Posh Maxxis Namura Scooter Ninja Slipstreamer and MRP. Products carried by MRP can be obtain exclusively at select Motorcycle Dealerships and Repair Shops in the USA. MRP is the one stop wholesale ONLY scooter buggy and ATV parts distributor.

MRP JOINS SEMA AND CONFIRMS 2011 SHOW

MRP has officially joined SEMA.

We are proud to be part of this great organization and hope to take advantage of all the benefits membership has to offer in the coming years. I know a few people in the powersports business have complained about the show in 2010, but to tell you the truth we found it to be one of the best experiences we had in a long time. SEMA is the place to be to make business happen so we are happy to have joined the organization. You can now find Martin Racing Performance listed in their membership directory as "The only" Scooter Buggy parts company in North America as part of the group. - Why follow when we can lead by example.

You will see all the top name brands at SEMA 2011 including TURBO KIT OF SPAIN http://www.TURBOKIT.net , NG DISK BRAKES http://www.ngbrakedisc.com , ARMADILLO SCOOTER WEAR http://www.ARMADILLOSCOOTERWEAR.com , Scooter Ninja Sliders of Taiwan, Namura Pistons, Gates Belts, EPI, and much much more!



Tuesday, November 1 – Friday, November 4, 2011
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA

MRP IS CONFIRMING WE WILL BE AT THE SHOW FOR 2011. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR BOOTH MAKE SURE TO MAKE IT TO DEALEREXPO.com for DEALER EXPO 2011

Please note we don't have our booth number yet, but we will be in the Powersports Section for 2011.
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world (PLEASE NOTE: THE SEMA SHOW IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC). It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, and RV markets.



VIDEOS OF MRP AT SEMA 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVcibKwOwM4



GUEST SPEAKER THE SCOOTER MAVEN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBeLquf9dlE



The Scooter Maven was asked to give his expert advice on the state of the US industry and its outlook for 2011. http://www.mrp-speed.com
Powersports dealers should not miss the high-level training from industry experts Gart Sutton & Associates (GSA). Topics include parts and accessories, finance and insurance, sales, service and dealership management.
Tuesday morning's state-of-the-industry panel will feature:
• Craig Cervenka: One of the original employees and currently OEM relations manager of Powersport Network (PSN).
• Joel Martin "THE SCOOTER MAVEN" - President of MRP the leading third party industry parts supplier for scooters, atvs, and go-karts.
• Jim Rasmus: Founder and president of Retail Design Associates (RDA), a supplier of powersports facility and merchandising design and training.
• Philip McCaleb: Founder and president of Genuine Scooters
• Dean Kelly: Associate publisher of Motorcycle Product News.
• Gart Sutton: Industry writer and consultant, founder and president of Gart Sutton & Associates, Inc., a training, consulting and 20-group services company recognized as the industry's top authority on dealer profitability.
• Richard Kimes: Director of marketing for Helmet House Inc., a major supplier of aftermarket powersports apparel and accessories.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- November 2, 2010
During the state of the market industry panel presented by Gart Sutton & Associates the president of Martin Racing Performance Joel Martin announced the latest merger and acquisition of the company. "I am proud to announce MRP has obtained all the assets of United Motors, this includes the largest private label Hyosung OEM parts cache in North America as well as the complete lineup of accessories and parts." United Motors formerly Jincheng USA (1996-1999) had been a staple of the US Powersports Industry since 1996 when they opened their first US office in Miami, FL as United Motors of America. The company expanded to 400 dealerships by 2003 and began importing the Hyosung private label motorcycles in 2006. The company imported and distributed ATVs, Scooters, and Motorcycles up to 650cc.
Mr. Martin continued "We strongly believe that many dealers and end users have become orphan customers without access to many of these parts, it is our duty to consolidate this part of the industry, to help the dealers find UM parts, and to provide our customers with a one-stop location for all their parts. No other competitor in the industry offers Korean parts for scooters or motorcycles like we do since we acquired Daelim earlier this year." He continued "It is our intent to reach out to ATK and work with them in making sure clients in North America have access to the Hyosung parts." Martin further stated this was the largest acquisition of its kind and would take several months to merge into the current MRP inventory. All former United Motors dealers, Hyosung dealers, and ATK dealers are encouraged to open an MRP account to help them in finding / obtaining parts.
Privately held United Motors of America ceased its US operations in February 2010. The company continues to operate in Colombia and other parts of Central and South America. MRP purchased the inventory and assets from the banking institutions that held the liens on the company, MRP is not responsible for any warranties, liabilities, or consumer issues.
About MRP
MRP is a leading supplier of OEM and performance parts having over 30,000 SKUs for hard to find Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese, and European scooters. It is the one and only source of OEM Malaguti ( Italy ), TNG -- CMSI Scooters, Diamo -- LS Motorsports, Italjet America, CPI Scooters and ATVs from Taiwan and more. The company also offers exclusive lines such as Bertoni sunglasses, Armadillo Clothing and Gear, Scooter Ninja Taiwan race accessories, NG Disk Brakes from Spain, and Turbo Kit exhausts. MRP since 2009 has acquired and merged over 8 US Distributors including well known industry distributors CPI -- JAG, TNG, Diamo, Italjet America, Keeway Southeast, and United Motors of America.
For more information on MRP visit: http://www.mrp-speed.com

BOOTH 5711 www.DEALEREXPO.com Martin Racing Performance

More parts than anyone at Indy 2011 that's right come visit us at Dealer Expo www.DEALEREXPO.com Make sure to add booth 5711 to your show stops.

This year you will see some amazing new scooters and bikes from CCW, PIT MOTORS, CPI SCOOTERS, QJ AND MORE. We will have on display the latest in Scooter Wear Tech including Armadillo Jackets ( the only scooter jacket company in the US that isn't consumer direct THATS RIGHT YOU CAN ONLY BUY IT AT A DEALER ) plus more parts than anyone at DEALER EXPO. Plus unlike everyone else in the scooter business we don't have a store so you have to buy from one of our dealers. Wholesale only means wholesale only so what more could you want as a shop owner ( I know this upsets people but if they actually cared maybe they should care about the dealers so let's call it as it is, if a dealer wants to stay in business be smart promote companies that promote you THE DEALER ) thats why you have to come to booth 5711 and pickup some of the best stuff available for your scooter shop including NG DISK BRAKES, TURBO KIT, SCOOTER NINJA, ESP BELTS, MRP UPGRADES, AND MUCH MUCH MORE! We have parts from Polini, Doppler, Malossi, Namura, DAYCO and more! Come and see the latest brands on display at booth 5711.

As of right now we have over 30,000 parts for sale. Half are still being added on a daily basis, but we're the only company that carries the best European brands as well as Asian models. As you can see we have OEM Hyosung, OEM United Motors, CPI ( from TAIWAN) , Diamo, TNG, Malaguti ( MADE IN ITALY ) and many OEM brands dealers can't get anywhere else. Upgrades for the Honda Zoomer / Ruckus, Silverwing, Suzuki Burgman, and the entire Kymco series including the best selling Quanon exhaust ( Ask Kymco USA who is using the MRP Quanon Exhaust in their fleet demo ) So if you want to upgrade your Kymco don't ask us, ask the Kymco USA marketing manager who happens to use a TK Quanon exhaust on his new bike.

Dealers have a hard time running a shop and they really shouldn't have to have so much trouble to find a Genuine supplier of OEM parts for their clients, but the truth is there is a lot of misinformation out there. For every store that knows us I still hear from one or two shops that call and say "I never heard of you guys" or my favorite "I was told by so and so that you only had a few parts." Part of this is the nature of our business. Small shops don't have time to read every industry publication, stay on top of the emails, posts online, nor do they research when competitors and companies have employees posting fake reviews on message boards. I see a lot of small guys online selling out of their house pretending to be big companies ruining the market for dealers or worse simply dropshipping from larger MRP dealers and other distributors like Tucker Rockey and WPS.

So just wanted to give you a preview of what we are working on and a look back at ten years of our family at the dealer Expo.


Running a motorcycle or scooter shop is one of the few jobs that requires you to be all things at once. A parts expert, a salesperson, a strategist, a marketing guru, and deal with 100 suppliers. You could sell ice cream all day and only deal with 20 flavors but selling motorcycles or scooters you have a 1,000 jobs. So information is key thats why we put over 150 manuals on our website for free. IF YOU DONT HAVE THE PART NUMBER EMAIL US A PICTURE WITH MEASUREMENTS, YOUR DEALER NAME, A PHONE NUMBER, AND WE WILL HELP YOU.



Another reason I want to show how open we are about what we sell is that the market fall of 2009 at least allowed us to see behind the smoke and mirrors when these former employees would apply for jobs and tell us "oh my job was to tell people that you didn't have the real parts, I'm sorry that's what the boss told me." My personal favorite story to tell now is when I walked into a distributor that just folded and on the desk was a yellowpad with "Alias" names for online emails, passwords, and the message boards they frequented to hype up the brand. Funny thing is after some time dealers realize all these positive reviews online of a cheap scooter can't be real. This lack of scruples amazes me so I have to be open about it and show the dealers we got parts, and we don't have anything to hide. We don't have everything and if we don't have it we will tell you who does. For every fake consumer or message board guy who has an agenda or an advertiser who doesn't know what we sell, we put it out there.

We have OEM real factory parts not the cheap Chinese guys that sell imitation parts " Zymco and Zyco" these are made by Kymco, Malaguti, SYM, TGB, Piaggio ( yes Vespa / Aprilia / Derbi ), Hyosung, real factories in Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Japan plus we have OEM Chinese parts from the distributors we've added in the last two years including LINHAI, LONCIN, JINCHENG, WANGYE, BZ Benzhou, QJ Qiangjiang ( Benelli, Andretti, Vento, UM ) plus CF MOTO ( CFMOTO USA, QLINK, TNG, YAMATI ) and ZNEN (TNG / PUMA / Flyscooters / BMS / Qlink ) just to name a few.


So if you're a dealer and you ever visit us, you will see we have real OEM stuff from real factories. From brand names in Europe like Turbo Kit exhausts all the way to Benelli ( Andretti ) scooter parts. Items that cannot take generic partsforchinese scooter parts. You won't get this stuff from anyone else, not Parts Unlimited, Tucker, or WPS. MRP is the only place for these items so don't be fooled by what you hear, we have it, let me show you.


Real Brand and Real Parts we're not affraid to compare numbers here, if your dealership needs parts it amazes us that dealers buy from online distributors only to have them dropped shipped from MRP

Our first show was in 2001 exhibiting the Malaguti line of Italy. Boy have we grown since then.....


DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AT DEALER EXPO

SEE SOME PREVIEWS BELOW FROM OUR PAST SHOW BOOTHS

Dealer Expo 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDH9wfW-dF8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWPpQ89R54s&feature=channel



Dealer Expo 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwPLk364DlA


Guest Speaker Indy Dealer Expo 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HohDXoVGM8


Dealer Expo 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmvZg-cPOPQ


Dealer Expo 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgIHNTx6Dbw

MRP BOOTH 5711 DEALER EXPO 2011

So many of you have been asking what is our booth number make sure to look for the big sign that reads PIT MOTORS. It's going to be a big booth that features all our top brands at booth number 5711. We are proud to be part of the CCW, PIT MOTORS, TURBO KIT, NG DISK BRAKE, ARMADILLO display this year where you can walk and see all your favorite brands on display. So make sure to stop by and look for MRP at booth 5711 DEALER EXPO 2011.

Also make sure to attend the Dealer Expo Scooter Seminar hosted by Scoot Magazine and Josh Rogers sign up now at:
http://www.dealerexpo.com/dealerexpo/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=702716

Attend Dealer Expo and Learn About Scooters

This year it's important that if you have a store, if you have a new business, or you're looking at opening a new dealership that you attend. 2011 is the year of $4 gas, but before you jump in and spend all the money grandma just left you in your "dream" shop make sure to attend.

Here's why - The Show represents all the second tier and third tier OEMs in the industry. If you're not buying a Honda franchise odds are you don't have Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki, but you want to open a shop. Maybe you want to do scooter repairs? or maybe you want to sell a few. Then this is the place. Piaggio, Vespa, and Aprilia won't be there this year. Malaguti stopped showing back in 2005 so really all the Italian made brands are gone from the show, you might see some Italian sounding names but they are all Chinese made models. Then again you have to go to know all this.

Now you can't force everyone to learn. There's plenty of dealers that buy from Dennis Kirk or have no idea of its special relationship with Parts Unlimited or how you can't win online by buying from your competitor. Some dealers get this, many don't. Still the show is the place to learn all this so as you walk the show ask the right questions. Here's a few and some of the things you need to do.
Questions to ask at the Dealer Expo:

1. Question you must ask - Do you sell directly to the public?
Does your company own a store?
What is your MAP policy?
Does your scooter parts distributor sell on EBay? (Many are selling online direct for less ) We are going to continue to see more and more power shift into fewer and fewer hands and that’s not going to be good for your customers, our industry, or most importantly your business.

2. Events you must see - SEMINARS. If you are a new scooter dealer make sure attend the scooter seminar, the Chinese OEM seminar,
they’re free, and you may learn something new. At the very least, you just got some solid reinforcement for what you’ve been doing.

3. Don't sign some insane support contract at the show. Wait until after the show when you can read things calmly and figure out if you need a store consultant.

4. Make sure to ask about the brands you might carry. Do they have warranty? DO THEY ACTUALLY PAY LABOR OR ARE THEY SOME CHINESE SUPPLIER THAT JUST GIVES YOU FREE PARTS? How do they comply with your state Lemon Laws etc... - Attend the seminar.

There are some great seminars at the show thought by people who have been Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki pricipals. People that know sales, viral marketing, advertising, and how to make a profit despite the changing economy. So do attend, do ask questions, and get ready to see it all.

So don't be sad about not having Honda and the show seminars teach you this. Why should you not be sad about this? Well it's easy when you go to the show you learn things like what brands have better margins or how more Honda dealers have closed the last few years than any year in the last ten. Honda dealers make 7% at most on a new scooter, this is the reason why you walk into a dealership and the Honda dealer could care less if you buy a Ruckus or not, no the Dealer Expo is for the new guy who is starting with a Taiwanese, Korean, or more commonly a Chinese brand. Some of these won't even be brands they might just be two wheels with a sticker on it and that's why you have to go to the Expo.

Don't spend like a madman. Read some of my previous articles. It's better to have two or three brands and build your store than to carry twenty brands and build none. Also, make sure to look up brands like Kymco who have grown beyond the Dealer Expo but are one of the most important scooter brands out there.

The Dealer Show allows you to talk to not just salesmen, but also other dealers. To hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. Believe half of what you hear, but always keep in mind you get what you pay for. Having this approach you should survive your first Dealer Expo.

Dealer Expo 2011 Meetings and the New EV Revolution

I'm sitting here today thinking of what lies ahead. Dealer Expo is around the corner. It's my 11th year there exhibiting.

It's made for quite a few cold Valentines.

I'm also thinking about the future. Our mission statement and what it means to actually run a business that does more for society. I got an email about the DealerNews.com article on MRP entering the EV market. The truth is we as a nation, as a company, as individuals have to embrace this even if its not profitable at first. Going green is not just a matter of making money, its a matter of gas independence, survival, and making sure a hundred years from now our world is safer thanks to what we do today.

I did study Political Science and Marketing and part of that lead me to look at the future trends and how to influence them. That's why I felt in 2000 that scooters were on the verge of going mainstream in North America. These days I think that "Green" vehicles are inevitable. As a "Futurist" I think in this transportation area I can help predict the general societal trends and general events from my point of view.

So green is in. The following are the truths that must be understood by all:

1. The technology is changing quickly.

2. Many companies are from the car market and = committing to the Powersports sector.

3. The Chinese are subsidizing this R&D at a rate North America and Europe cannot ignore ( since 300 million more cars in China will pollute this world to no end if they don't go electric )

4. Petroleum is a limited resource and we can't keep invading other countries to get it so there will be real demand at one point. Energy independence today guarantees fewer wars in the future. This is a truth that cannot be ignored. The wars of the future will be over resources, let's try to avoid them if possible.

5. Electric vehicles will cross all platforms.

6. There are many people looking to help, there are many looking to make a profit, like any business not all will survive.

7. Some are in it just to sell shares, sell tech, make a quick buck and get out.

I feel that my knowledge in this field should help guide government policies for governing some of the new EV motorized driven cycles, if we don't there could be disastrous repercussions for American consumers. Already we see everyone selling EV vehicles without any policies or industry standards in the US. We also have all the same fly by night guys selling vehicles, some even appearing in places like Sears.

This is our 11th booth at the Dealer Expo and as a guest of the show not only will we have a booth, but I feel its my duty when meeting with the dealer base to bring up all these new subjects. Lately when I walk into shops I get asked about E-bikes. I've actually had more than one conversation with US E-bike designers, battery makers, and even a lawnmower company all asking about scooters and how to get in the business.

My answer goes back to scooters and how the market is totally different be it electrics or gasoline powered ones. The same Chinese OEMs making scooters are also making EV vehicles. They have the volume, price point, and imitation tech to overtake in distribution any legitimate or major brand. So new emerging companies like Zero, Brammo, won't stand a chance against them in volume. Once the major vehicle producers like Honda and Yamaha move in the party for the smaller brands will be over unless they allow themselves to get purchased.

This is all something to consider at Indy because the EV market is constantly changing.

I see the same thing happening all over again just like in the Scooter / Atv sector where there's 50 importers one day and then 10 the moment gas prices go back down. History has a way of repeating itself. This all being said I feel its my duty to to make sure we not just work and help explain the trends in the industry, but that we can help shape the future of the industry. I want the same thing as everyone, a cleaner world and one less dependable on foreign oil. At the same time we have several parties approaching us that make great products in Taiwan, Japan, and Europe all looking to help design and capture part of the EV market. I look fwd to talking to them all as this is a new step for us.

We should have a big announcement at the Dealer Expo this year regarding our entry into carrying EV scooter parts and batteries. We're hoping that the industry itself stabilizes as a third party logistics provider I can already see that there are too many new technologies with no clear leader in the field for very similar price points from Brammo Motorcycles, Vectrix Motorcycles, ZERO, Current Motor and more. All very different platforms for a very small limited market in America ( Just like Motor Scooters ) Speak to any major dealer like Scooter Super Stores in Hollywood, Florida and they have $50,000 in Vectrix units sitting on the floor for over two years that don't work and a new owner that hasn't helped them. Tech getting purchased and sold doesn't help if you leave the dealers behind. So a lot of things have to be put into place because tech people are not necessarily vehicle people and understand how the laws / warranties affect the sales of vehicles. There is a certain amount of education that needs to take place to new OEMs and to new EV dealers on how things work.

There's already a dozen companies putting together simple E-bikes which are a dime a dozen in China. Many of these technologies will never reach volume in the USA either because of a lack of a distribution network in the Powersports Industry or because major players are now stepping in like Piaggio Group and Honda which should be releasing their own versions shortly. Many of them are strictly in the business of licensing or selling their wares and tech which is great for any early investor in technology. So if you want to buy software and battery tech Mission Motors looks amazing, but as a brand of new Motorcycles I think Vectrix pretty much sums up how you can pump money at mass distribution and unless there is major demand it doesn't work.

So my prediction is some tech will fall by the side. Some will emerge as clear winners. Some companies like Honda and Piaggio are making small moves and will eventually jump right in. The fact that Mini and Smart are spending time, money, and hoping to promote the EV scooter means that there will be an industry push to create consumer demand where there is little. That's called creating the market.

It's half wishful thinking, but its clearly the job of a "Futurist" and I would expect no less from brands like Mini or the Smart Car. As these units hit the market we hope to be the first to help them with accessories and upgrades for their riders.

To a certain point resistance is futile. Our nation is going in the direction of Electric Vehicles, the world cannot sustain a billion more people with cars so it is inevitable. We must all do our part.

So we look fwd to meeting with everyone at the Dealer Expo to talk more about the EV market, where its going, and how MRP can be a part of it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-AKS_PtZk

Martin Racing Entering the Electric Scooter Parts Business

Martin Racing Entering the Electric Scooter Parts Business

Martin Racing, an American powersports third party logistics and parts manufacturer, announced this week, that it will be entering the electric motorized driven cycle market.

To see press video click link here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-AKS_PtZk



“We are at our early stages, but we feel we will be a player in the growing EV parts business as it begins to grow in North America.” Commented Jeff Mello an EV consultant for Martin Racing. As an early stage manufacturing company the company is reaching out to potential partners and investors to work in co-operation with the company. Mr. Mello further commented “The truth is from our research Martin Racing has recently acquired a vast surplus of electric Motorcycle, Scooter and ATV components in its acquisitions and these assets have multiple brand applications that could save new assemblers and distributors hundreds of thousands of dollars by outsourcing some of their warranty and parts sales to the company.”

Company president Joel Martin went on to state that they are working with several Taiwanese suppliers of electric components. “One of our brands in Taiwan has significant resources and will be helping us work with all the new EV makers which long term will be the leaders in putting these on US roads, so we want to be the go to guys for those replacement parts.” He further commented “Both Smart and Mini brands recently announced their potential entry into the EV US scooter market this is encouraging add to that Honda and the potential for a new Piaggio full EV scooter next year and your talking a whole new market.”

Several Taiwanese OEMs have all started making electric ebikes or hybrid vehicles for the European markets including SYM, Motive Power Industry Co. Ltd. (PGO brand), Eton, Apax of Japen and many of these have expressed interest in entering the US market. Several private American assemblers have started to assemble Ebikes and EV vehicles using these Taiwanese and Chinese components in the last year that MRP now has access to.

Company president Joel Martin was convinced after meeting with several high profile CEOs and celebrities working the EV pavilion at SEMA 2010. He went on to state “I think meeting with the president of Mission Motors, EVO, and seeing how enthusiastic people like Neil Young were about electric vehicles sold me on the potential to slowly convert our dealer base, it’s going to take time." He went on to state "At this point we are looking for key partners from suppliers to investors, distributors, that would like to help us expand in this field, we already have according to Mr. Mello a good portion of what the market needs for many vehicles already being sold by Baja and Sears."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKosYbfcRc4



Mr. Martin hopes to make a formal announcement at the Indiana Dealer expo next month ( www.DealerExpo.com ) on their new partners in the EV parts market during one of the Expo seminars.

Martin Racing has been selling aftermarket and OEM products to scooter and powersports dealers in North America for the past five years. It is sold and distributed by over 1,100 retail and repair shops nationwide. For more information, visit www.mrp-speed.com


The Car the impressed everyone at SEMA 2010 Neil Youngs EV Car ( thanks for the inspiration Neil ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78sQMOR8Ac



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3TBnG4YZg