4 • January 2025 • Powersports Business
NEWS www . PowersportsBusiness . com
NPA welcomes RV and Marine territory sales manager
National Powersport Auctions ( NPA ) has announced the addition of Jason Lorensen as territory sales manager to its rapidly growing RV and Marine division . Based in Phoenix , Arizona , Lorensen will focus on serving Western states . Lorensen ’ s career in dealerships spans over two decades . With his experience and passion for the powersports industry , he will help RV and Marine dealers optimize their wholesale revenue opportunities . “ Being able to assist in developing the RV and Marine divisions
|
at NPA is an exciting challenge ,” Lorensen says . “ I look forward to forming new partnerships and delivering value to RV and Marine dealers across my territory .”
“ With an expanded RV and Marine division , we ’ re better equipped to support our clients and dealers nationwide ,” says Mike Murray , vice president of Sales . “ Jason ’ s extensive experience and dedication make him a fantastic addition , allowing us to further address the unique inventory needs of RV and Marine dealers .”
National Powersport Auctions invites dealers to explore the wide selection of RV and Marine inventory available through its nationwide platform at npauctions . com . Lorensen can be reached for any consignment or inventory questions at jlorensen @ npauctions . com or 928.897.6034 .
|
JASON LORENSEN |
www . powersportsbusiness . com Editorial and Sales : 763.383.4400 Subscriber Service : 763.383.4492
EDITOR IIN CHIEF : Brendan Baker 763 / 383-4477 ( bbaker @ epgacceleration . com ) ASSOCIATE EDITOR : Madelyn Pegg 763 / 383-4407 ( mhubbard @ epgacceleration . com )
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS : Paulina Matel , Zach Materne , Brad Stanek
ART DIRECTOR : Lindsay Zigan
VICE PRESIDENT / POWER TRADE AND CONSUMER GROUP Mark Rosacker 763 / 383-4433 ( mrosacker @ epgacceleration . com )
|
Malcolm Smith , industry icon , has died
As a humble motorcycle dealership owner and racer , Malcolm Smith became famous for his role in Bruce Brown ’ s 1971 motorcycle documentary , On Any Sunday .
In that iconic film , which won a 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature , Smith ’ s infectious smile , tenacity on the racecourse , and freewheeling ride on the beach with co-stars Steve McQueen and Mert Law will captivated the hearts and aspirations of motorcyclists around the world , notes Rider Magazine .
Smith ’ s career in the motorcycle industry spanned many decades , and he served as one of the best ambassadors for the sport . In 2012 , Motorcyclist named Malcolm Smith the Motorcyclist of the Century . More of Smith ’ s story is available on malcolmsmith . com .
What follows is the official press release issued by the American Motorcyclist Association :
Malcolm Smith passed away at home in Riverside , California , on November 26 , peacefully and surrounded by family . He is survived by his wife Joyce ; daughters Louise and Ashley ; sons Joel and Alexander ; granddaughters Evie , Adeline , Amelie , Miley , and Claire ; and grandsons Ethan , Malcolm , and Conrad .
In his final year , he welcomed his newest grandchildren , Malcolm , Conrad , and Claire , and was thrilled to watch his granddaughters learn to ride motorcycles .
During his 83 years , Smith did it all : rider , racer , ISDT gold medalist , shop tech , service manager , repair shop owner , aftermarket distributor , retail store owner , actor , sponsor ,
|
|
|
|
|
PSB Editor-in-Chief Brendan Baker was lucky enough to meet Malcolm Smith at AIMExpo and to get an autographed copy of his book . Staff photo |
AD MATERIALS and questions to ads @ epgacceleration . com
BRAND ACCELERATION
CEO : Marion Minor SR . VICE PRESIDENT / MARKET DEVELOPMENT : Joanne Juda-Prainito SR . VICE PRESIDENT SALES / GROUP PUBLISHER : David Voll CORPORATE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR : Bernadette Wohlman
DEALER ADVISORY BOARD : HK Powersports , Jim Whalley ; Family PowerSports , Morris Baker ; All Action Water Sports , Ray Leps
|
philanthropist , pro-motorcycling advocate , husband , father , grandfather , friend , and much more .
But over and above all that , Malcolm Smith was everyman ’ s motorcyclist , an enthusiastic , fun-loving , driven , and talented example of what motorcycling could do and be for the everyday enthusiast and how the sport could affect our lives in unimaginable ways .
“ Malcolm Smith embodied so much of what ’ s good about motorcycle enthusiasts and the sport of motorcycling ,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman . “ Not only did he excel in riding , racing , and business , but Malcolm was also a great example of how to get the most out of motorcycling and give back and support our sport , which he did during much of his life – and always with a grin .” Smith ’ s family held a Celebration of Life memorial service at Malcolm Smith Motorsports in Riverside , California , on January 12 . 2025 . In lieu of flowers , the family kindly requests donations to Malcolm ’ s favorite charity , the Malcolm Smith Motorsports Foundation , which supports the children of Baja , Mexico .
More than a decade ago , Malcolm Smith wrote these words for the final chapter of his acclaimed 2015 autobiography : “ It all started for me on March 9 , 1941 , in a small rural hospital in the village of Ganges , on Salt Spring Island , British Columbia , Canada … Where it will end , no one knows . But you can be sure I ’ m going to enjoy every minute I have left , with a smile on my face , and my family nearby . Can ’ t ask for more than that .”
Godspeed , Malcolm . Our condolences to his family and friends .
POWERSPORTS BUSINESS ( ISSN # 1522-7944 ) is published monthly . 12 times per year by EPG Brand Acceleration , 7760 France Avenue South , Suite 810 , Bloomington , MN 55435 . The Market Data Book in November is not included in the subscription price . Periodicals postage paid at St . Paul , MN and additional mailing offices .
POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Powersports Business , PO Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771-0096 .
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION : Free digital to qualified members of the motorcycle , all-terrain vehicle , snowmobile and personal watercraft industries . Annual print subscription rate is $ 68 per year for U . S residents . All paid subscriptions must be paid in advance and in U . S . funds only .
CUSTOMER SERVICE : Visit www . PowersportsBusiness . com , email customerservice @ epgacceleration . com , call ( 763 ) 383-4492 , fax ( 763 ) 383-4499 or write to Powersports Business , PO Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771 .
CANADIAN RETURN ADDRESS : EPG Brand Acceleration , 4960-2 Walker Road , Windsor , Ontario N9A 6J3 . Publication Sales Agreement # 40012332 .
EDITORIAL : All manuscripts , materials , photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer ’ s risk and must include self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return . Send editorial materials to EPG Brand Acceleration , 7760 France Avenue South , Suite 810 , Bloomington , MN 55435 , 763 / 383-4400 . No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials . Powersports Business is a registered trademark of EPG Brand Acceleration . © 2025 by EPG Brand Acceleration . All rights reserved . Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited unless expressly authorized by publisher .
REPRINTS : For more information on e-prints or reprints from Powersports Business , visit epgacceleration . com / marketing-services and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration . com
Automotive group acquires North Carolina dealerships
Printed in U . S . A .
North Carolina ’ s Motorcycles of Charlotte and Motorcycles of Greensboro have been sold from Mark and Gail Engel to Sonic Automotive .
Sonic Automotive , a publicly traded Fortune 500 company headquartered in Charlotte , North Carolina ( NYSE stock symbol : SAH ) is ranked # 6 on the 2024 Automotive News Top 150 Dealership Groups based on 2023 new vehicle retail sales units . The company has recently expanded into the powersports market by establishing the Sonic Powersports division . This move was marked by the acquisition of 13 dealerships across South Dakota and Texas , representing renowned brands like Harley- Davidson , Indian Motorcycle , Polaris , Can- Am , Kawasaki , Suzuki , BMW and Ducati . The purchase of Motorcycles of Charlotte and Motorcycles of Greensboro further strengthens their footprint in the Southeast and highlights their continued commitment to the powersports sector . Mark Engel , president of Motorcycles of Charlotte and Motorcycles of Greensboro , began his journey to success over 20 years ago when he , his wife Gail Engel and Tony Ryan purchased Motorcycles of Charlotte . Originally a BMW dealership , it quickly grew into one of the Southeast ’ s top European motorcycle dealers , offering brands like Ducati , Triumph and Royal Enfield .
As demand increased , Engel expanded to a new 19,000−square-foot facility in 2010 . In 2019 , he further expanded by acquiring
See NC Dealerships , Page 6