EDITORS NOTE

Editor’s Note By Robin Hartfiel

KICKING ASS IN A TIME OF CRISIS!

The anniversary of 9/11 was cause to pause. Hard to believe that 19 years ago the world ended for hundreds of people and changed the airline industry, the financial community and the entire NYC skyline permanently. Between the wildfires wiping out at least four dealerships in the West, the continuing COVID protocols resulting in the cancellation of both PRI and LeMan’s gig in Louisville, not to mention the most divisive political environment since the Civil War, it is clear we are at a global inflection point.

However there is a difference between 9/11 and the COVID crisis. The tragic plane crashes brought not only the nation together, but the world was unified. We were all Americans and we felt the pain of the people at Ground Zero. With the COVID we are literally being forced apart and alienated by social distancing, polarizing protests in many major cities and political discord!

We went from cautiously optimistic to shaking in our boots with the latest rounds of re-closures. We know that the 50% increases in dirtbike sales and the 20% bump in dual-sports are not sustainable indefinitely — definitely not if there is another bigger wave of COVID closures coming — but if we can keep this crop of windfall customers riding for a few years, the aftermarket can continue to enjoy the fruits of the OEMs current labors through the end of the year and hopefully we all rebound with some lifetime riders/customers.

Where do we go from here? Dealernews is staying the course as long as dealers continue to ride it out! Why? We are honored to be a part of a resilient, passionate and kick ass community. Motorcycle people really are the greatest, not that we need any more adversity to prove the point. Just as we did 19 years ago, we are printing Frank Esposito’s “The Next Time I Go Riding” piece in its entirety and the words still ring true! “We will never forget this day and the lesson is clear,” said Frank. “The worst of horror and tragedy brings out the best in American Character. We always overcome the tragedy and we always end up stronger. God Bless America!” Certainly something to think about the next time any of us goes riding... and something to think about for this issue.

Think you have it bad? How about the three stores that were burnt to the ground in Medford, Oregon? Dealerships that had been the pillar of the riding community in the region for nearly 100 years collectively were gone overnight. D&S HarleyDavidson, Oregon Motorcycle Adventures - KTM and Hansen’s Motorcycles first thoughts were to thank first responders, people in their community and their customers for their concerns. Their second thought was getting back to business! This fortitude, character and compassion for their community shines as a beacon of hope in these dark times.

How could Dealernews not step up in these trying times? We have the industry’s eyes on us and are trying to lead the way by informing, educating and even entertaining the audience... just as the original Dealernews did for 50+ years of good and bad times. Believe it or not, it has been worse just during my tenure with Dealernews (but it has also been a Hell of a lot better when we were on that 13-straight year run of double digit growth).

“The current crisis has not only impacted consumers’ finances; it has also impacted the rest of their lives,” says my friend Dr. Leinberger. “According to the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers, 45% of all consumers say their lives have changed a great deal due to the coronavirus, while just 20% reported little or no change. 60% are worried about their family’s health and 20% say they have been negatively impacted by required social isolation.” People in the “real world” are looking for guidance and confidence he suggests.

I would say in our own insular industry, dealers are providing guidance and confidence. At a time when international trade fairs are closing, sporting events are held in spectatorless bubbles and life looks pretty bleak, dealers have figured out contactless sales, curbside delivery, service scheduling, driveway deliveries and countless other ways to keep the wheels turning. It isn’t easy, but it is necessary… and it is inspirational!

Dealernews will continue providing resources like the COVID Handbook https://www.dealernews.com/

Dealernews-Archive/Powersports-Dealer-Guidebook

and information in the regular issues at a time when the industry needs (and deserves) it the most! Just as we have since 1965! While the next 6 weeks leading up to the election promise more strife, bickering and BS; the COVID protocols get even more onerous (now even Best In The Desert has had to relocate their last two races), we are going to support the dealers the only way we know how: WFO!

In short, we will follow the lead of our dealer friends and keep kicking ass in a time of crisis!

Former Editor-in-Chief and publisher of Dealernews circa 1990- 2003, Robin returns to the magazine. In addition to having been instrumental in creating the Dealernews Top 100 program (still the industry’s ultimate accolade for a motorcycle dealership), Hartfiel has worked for most of the B2B publications in the Powersports arena. Prior to the trade side, he worked as a beat reporter for a local newspaper and was an editor of publications ranging from All About Beer to VW Trends.