plus 3, Research and Markets: the US Motorcycle Manufacturing Industry ... - Yahoo Finance

Research and Markets: the US Motorcycle Manufacturing Industry ... - Yahoo Finance
Datebook business calendar (March 8) - Corvallis Gazette-Times
India's car sales up 33 per cent in February - Hindustan Times
Hero Honda May Add Fourth Plant on India Rural Sales (Update2) - BusinessWeek

Research and Markets: the US Motorcycle Manufacturing Industry ... - Yahoo Finance

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 06:31 AM PST

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6fe934/motorcycle_manufac) has announced the addition of the "Motorcycle Manufacturing" report to their offering.

First Research is the leading industry intelligence company that helps sales teams perform faster and smarter, open doors, and close more deals. First Research performs the "heavy lifting" by synthesizing hundreds of sources into an easy to digest format that a sales person can consume very quickly to better understand a prospect's business issues.

Executive Summary

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

The US motorcycle manufacturing industry includes about 60 companies with combined annual revenue of about $6 billion. The industry, which is highly concentrated, is dominated by Harley-Davidson . Other industry participants include foreign-based companies with final assembly operations in the US, parts and accessories manufacturers, and custom builders who make built-to-order products for motorcycle enthusiasts.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Personal income and interest rates drive demand. Motorcycles are considered discretionary items in the US since few are used as a primary means of transportation. About one fourth of motorcycle purchases are financed. The profitability of individual companies depends on volume and sales of high-margin accessories and add-ons. Small manufacturers compete by offering highly customized products. Annual sales per employee averages about $400,000.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products include touring and cruiser motorcycles designed for comfort and long distance rides (67 percent of industry revenue); off-road cycles designed for dirt and mountain terrain (25 percent); dual sport designed for both road and off-road usage (3 percent); and scooters (5 percent). Motorcycle engines are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) and range from 50cc to 2300cc. Heavyweight bikes have engines with 650cc or greater.

Motorcycles are typically produced on assembly lines, similar to how the auto industry makes cars. Parts are received from outside sources (either third-party companies or other corporate-owned plants), usually on a just-in-time basis.

Key Topics Covered:

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends AND Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6fe934/motorcycle_manufac

Source: First Research

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Datebook business calendar (March 8) - Corvallis Gazette-Times

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 07:49 AM PST

Business calendar published Monday, March 8, 2010:

Today: A property-casualty pre-licensing class for insurance professionals will be offered through the Linn-Benton Community College Small Business Development Center and PacWest Insurance School. Classes will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday on the second floor of the Calapooia Center, LBCC, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany. This 40-hour class is a State of Oregon required class that allows the licensee to take the state examination to sell auto, home, boat, motorcycle, RV and commercial lines of insurance. For more information or to register, contact the PacWest Insurance School at 541-971-9566.

Tuesday: Corvallis Chamber of Commerce Greeters, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., hosted by Downtown Dental, 142 S.W. Second St.

Tuesday: Employer's Guide to Civil Rights Laws and Workplace Harassment, educational seminar, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Central Willamette Community Credit Union headquarters, Albany. Presenter: Jennifer Germundson, the Bureau of Labor and Industries manager of technical assistance for employers. To avoid claims of workplace harassment and discrimination, managers and supervisors need to understand the protections under state and federal civil rights law. Learn about protected classes, recognizing unlawful behavior, conducting an investigation, communicating policies and expectations to employers, and BOLI enforcement policies. Cost: $59 per person, or $49 per Albany, Corvallis or Lebanon Chamber of Commerce members. To register, contact Greg Ivers, 541-967-2171, Ext. 264, or greg.e.ivers@state.or.us.

Tuesday: Ribbon cutting, 9:45 to 10:15 a.m., Springhill Country Club, 155 Country Club Lane, Albany.

Thursday: Downtown After Hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Mod Pod, 115 N.W. Second St. The Downtown Corvallis Association's monthly networking social provides an opportunity to get acquainted with DCA members in a relaxed atmosphere. Those attending are asked to bring an item for a prize drawing.

Friday: "Become a Legacy Family Business," 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Allison Inn & Spa, 2525 Allison Lane, Newberg. Presented by the Austin Family Business Program, College of Business at Oregon State University. Author/expert Dr. Lee Hausner, senior managing director of First Foundation Advisors and internationally recognized business consultant and family wealth adviser, will give the keynote address. Cost: $35. Register at www.familybusinessonline.org. For more information, call 541-737-3326 or 800-859-7609.

Saturday: A noncredit traffic control flagger certification course will take place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room, Calapooia Center, Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W. in Albany. After meeting all requirements, students can be certified to flag traffic in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington. Job-finding information will be provided in class. Cost: $80, includes all materials, certification test and card. Minimum qualifications: at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver's license. For more information or to register, call the LBCC Business, Healthcare and Workforce Division at 541-917-4923.

April 12 and 13: Oregon Employer Council Annual State Conference for Business, the Nines Hotel, Portland. The conference is open to all business people, and will cover topics of importance to business owners, managers, supervisors and human resource professionals. Continuing education credits are offered. Early registration fee: $279, includes education sessions and handouts, most meals, and networking opportunities. After March 12, fee is $329. One-day fees available. For more information and to register, see www.OEC.org, or call Marney Roddick, 503-947-1305.

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India's car sales up 33 per cent in February - Hindustan Times

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 06:31 AM PST

Anticipation of a price hike after the budget pushed car sales in India in February this year.

A total of 153,845 vehicles were sold as their sales went up by 33 percent in February, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Monday. Car manufacturers sold 115,505 units in the year-ago period.

Sale of commercial vehicles, a key indicator of economic activity, rose a whopping 87 percent during the month at 58,024 units.

Motorcycle sales, which constitute bulk of the two-wheeler segment, also were up by 30.7 percent at 642,419 units compared to 491,451 units in the corresponding month last year.

Auto stocks reacted positively to the news and were among the major gainers on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

During the April-February period, sales of passenger vehicles increased 26.13 percent and that of commercial vehicles rose 35.2 percent.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had announced a two percent hike in excise tax on prices of large cars, and sports and multi-utility vehicles in the general budget presented on february 26.

The government had offered excise duty relief to car makers as a stimulus in 2008 when auto sales dropped following a slowdown in the economy after recession hit the world.

The excise duty was slashed on two-wheelers (from 10 percent to 8 percent), small cars (from 12 percent to 8 percent) and big cars (from 24 percent to 20 percent).

Major car manufacturers have raised prices of cars by up to Rs.25,000 reacting to the increase in central excise duty, which is now at 10 percent.

Also, prospective buyers may be in for another round of price hike as the country is set to adopt new emission norms compliant auto fuel, Euro IV, by April 1 in 13 metro cities.

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Hero Honda May Add Fourth Plant on India Rural Sales (Update2) - BusinessWeek

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 02:27 AM PST

March 08, 2010, 5:33 AM EST

(Adds shares rose to record in the sixth paragraph.)

By Subramaniam Sharma

March 8 (Bloomberg) -- Hero Honda Motors Ltd., maker of half the motorcycles sold in India, may build a fourth factory as it targets rural markets and possible exports to Africa.

The company will decide on the new factory within six months, Managing Director Pawan Kant Munjal, 55, said in an interview in New Delhi. It hopes to reach an agreement this year with partner Honda Motor Co. on starting African sales, he said.

To help win sales among India's more than 740 million rural residents, Hero Honda has set up health-care initiatives and services to guide people in getting driving licenses. Coupled with motorcycle tax cuts and economic growth, the programs helped Hero Honda boost sales 24 percent in the past 11 months.

"The market will continue to grow and it makes sense to invest money," said Juergen Maier, who helps manage 860 million euros ($1.1 billion) of assets, including Hero Honda shares, at Raiffeisen Capital Management in Vienna. Expanding in rural areas now "is a huge advantage" over overseas companies such as Yamaha Motor Co., he said.

Bajaj Auto Ltd., India's second-biggest motorcycle maker, has also boosted its focus on rural areas as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh boost spending on new roads and infrastructure for villages as part of his 'Build India' campaign.

Hero Honda rose 2.3 percent to a record close of 1,913.9 rupees in Mumbai today. The shares have gained 11 percent this year after more than doubling last year.

Rural Focus

Hero Honda is considering a plant that can make 2,000 units daily and will fund the plan using its own cash, Munjal said during the March 4 interview. The company, 26 percent-owned by Tokyo-based Honda, can now make 5 million motorcycles and scooters a year. Hero Group, founded by Munjal's father and uncles, holds a 29 percent stake in the motorcycle-maker.

Hero Honda expects to sell 50 percent of its motorcycles in villages in the next three to five years, from about 40 percent now, Munjal said. The company three years ago started a marketing initiative called 'Har Gaon, Har Angan,' or 'Every Village, Every Courtyard', to increase sales in villages with a population of more than 5,000 people.

"The government has a clear cut long-term focus because a large portion of the population lives out there," said Munjal. "A lot of activity is going on in rural areas. I expect a higher percentage of growth coming from rural areas."

The company is also diversifying by aiming to boost exports, which now account for 2.2 percent of annual sales. By contrast, Bajaj Auto sells 33 percent of two-wheelers overseas. The bulk of Hero Honda's exports are to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Columbia. Bajaj sell motorcycles in countries including Nigeria, Angola, Uganda and Kenya.

'Wider Canvas'

Hero Honda is trying to convince Honda to allow it to enter more export markets, Munjal said.

"We are getting close to being able to work out a deal where we can start going into Africa," said Munjal. "We want to establish ourselves in the international market so we have a wider canvas."

Simultaneously, Hero Honda is expanding its rural reach in India by adding about 500 more dealerships, service centers and other outlets across the country. The company currently has more than 4,000 facilities nationwide, including about 700 dealers.

Close to 70 percent of India's population of more than 1.1 billion live in villages and they contribute about 45 percent of the economy, according to a 2008 study by National Council of Applied Economic Research.

About 10 percent of the people living in villages in India own a motorcycle, compared with the national average of 18 percent, local brokerage Batlivala & Karani Securities Ltd. said in a report last month.

--With assistance from Manish Modi in New Delhi. Editors: Anand Krishnamoorthy, Ian Rowley

To contact the reporter on the story: Subramaniam Sharma in New Delhi at ssharma@bloomberg.net;

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Neil Denslow at ndenslow@bloomberg.net

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