Business news
Photo courtesy of Tony Smith
MV Agusta appoints IMG MV AGUSTA HAS ANNOUNCED the appointment of IMG as its exclusive worldwide licensing representative to expand its presence globally through a new range of consumer products. Through the new multi-year partnership, IMG will work with MV Agusta to “build a licensing programme focused on brand extensions and lifestyle products that reflect the company’s commitment to performance, quality, innovation and consumer engagement within local communities ”. “IMG is the best possible partner for what we have in store for our fans around the world,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta Motor. “This strategic partnership accelerates the execution of our five-year expansion plan. MV Agusta has tremendous brand equity; it is a truly beloved brand and an icon of design and technology in the motorcycling world. Working with IMG, the most authoritative and experienced specialist in the field, will help take MV Agusta to the next level as a lifestyle brand with a series of thoughtful, high-profile merchandising initiatives.” Marcelo Cordeiro, Associate Vice President of Licensing, IMG, commented: “MV Agusta is an iconic Italian brand with a passionate consumer base who revere the brand for both its performance and design attributes. “We intend to deploy IMG’s global reach and specialised licensing expertise in the automotive space to extend the brand into a range of consumer products through selective brand partnerships and collaborations.” Initial categories of focus will include apparel, motorcycle and fashion accessories, video games and collectible products.
Weston’s Triumph over adversity F alklands veteran Simon Weston hopes to realise a lifetime’s ambition to ride a motorcycle, thanks to a campaign being launched by industry veteran and record-breaking rider Norman Hyde. “I was at a reception, saw Simon and just had to talk with him, inspired as I was by his triumph over adversity and his amazing resilience, “explains Hyde. “He told me of his desire to ride a motorcycle and I thought that, with help from fellow riders and friends in the industry, we could make his dream come true." The injuries that Weston sustained aboard RFA Sir Galahad during the Bluff Cove Air Attacks in 1982 make it impossible for him to operate the controls on a traditional bike so Hyde, who worked as a development engineer for Triumph in the 60s and 70s, came up with the idea of a modified trike. “I have always wanted a bike but wasn't allowed
Simon Weston (centre) collects the donor Bonneville from Bevan Triumph. Others, from left: Hank Hancock of Trike Design, project organiser Norman Hyde, Charlie Bevan of Bevan Triumph and Paul Hughes of Trike Design
one when I was younger” explained Weston. “My injuries prevent me from riding a normal motorcycle. This makes me more passionate than ever about the sense of freedom that riding a trike would give me" Hyde has already received backing from Triumph Motorcycles, which has donated a new T120 Bonneville to be the basis for the trike, to be built by Trike Designs in Weston’s hometown of Caerphilly. Converting the bike to a trike, specially adapted for Weston’s needs, will be a lengthy and expensive operation. Hyde has already received offers of support from fellow motorcyclists impressed by Weston’s determination and charity work, but more funds will be required to complete the job. “It's a big job and a long one,” Hyde said. “We are looking at a total cost of £25,000.” If you would like to support the campaign visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/simonwestontrike
Automotivo training
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pecialist training, coaching and consultancy service firm Automotivo has launched a selection of dealer training programmes to improve sales of motorcycles, parts, workshop hours, clothing and accessories. Claimed to give measurable dealership performance and enhanced profitability, the Motorcycle Vehicle Health Check (VHC) Development Programme is delivered as a three month course within the dealership, and is said to give sustained improvements in performance, profitability, upselling and customer satisfaction. Jim Ellis, aftersales
development specialist at Automotivo, told BDN: “The programme assesses dealers’ current practices, identifies key areas and works with the dealer team to ensure maximum sales are achieved every time. It provides dealers with a combination of consultancybased training and coaching (two days onsite), one-toone management, leadership training and coaching” Implementing a full aftersales sales process, the programme includes technician video training, confidence building and advisor sales training including upselling techniques, closing and objection handling,
as well as verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Training is designed to complement any end-to-end customer experience process tailored to the dealership. Remote support and follow up sessions to review performance and assist with dealer development are included. Automotivo tel 01243 933177 enquiries@automotivo.co.uk
www.britishdealernews.co.uk 12 OCTOBER 2020 Simply email circulation@dealernews.co.uk to register!