2014 dealer status

With the overall MC sales down over 5 % in the first 6 months of 2013 in the USA, KTM may not be so pushy here.But they all (brands) have often invoked policies that have been to their own detriment.
Interesting that KTMs cash cow, Bajaj in India ,has been on strike now for almost 2 months.The workers are demanding a huge pay increase or a piece of the company as well as job security.
The motorcycle business is a tough one and looks to be getting tougher.The survivors will be the ones who have the ability to adapt to new markets and look after there customers.
I know most think that the end customer is the most important, but the OEMs need to keep their dealers happy and profitable.There is a whole new generation of dealer out there that are business people first,motorcycle enthusiats second and will cut an unprofitable line in a blink.IMHO this is no time to be throwing away any good dealer.