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NEWS
Powersports Business • May 2024 • 3
Salesperson achieves goal to sell 50 units in one month
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Michael Kamrad , a sales consultant at Simply Ride in Eden Prairie , Minnesota , has sold motorcycles for over 25 years and recently broke his monthly sales record . He set a goal three years ago to sell 50 motorcycles in one month and proudly accomplished this in March of this year .
“ I ’ ve hit 48 , I ’ ve hit 49 twice and yet this 50 has always alluded me up until March of this year ,” he says . “ My life changed about three years ago when I got out of a motorcycle club . I was a patch holder in a motorcycle club . I got out of club life and got my life back again . It was at that point I decided to focus my intention on my job and crushing goals .”
Kamrad credits his success to following the sales process , sharing product knowledge , planning and staying consistent . “ It ’ s a constant working of the sales process . And then product knowledge is such a huge thing to being successful .” He also laughs , “ Long hair and mustache ; I don ’ t look like a car salesman .”
He says that he communicates with customers with the same amount of care that an owner would have , and he makes them happy by treating them as he would want to be treated .
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“ My favorite part of being in sales is , when I do my job right , I ’ m not really working … It ’ s the satisfaction of achieving goals . The only way you can be successful in this industry is to make and set and strive for your goals . Otherwise , I never would have hit 50 at all . It ’ s planning and making and following through with your goals .”
In the last three years , Kamrad has sold 264 , 272 and 294 motorcycles . His next goal is to sell 300 motorcycles in one year .
“ If I was at any other dealership besides Simply Ride and the way that they have their dealership set up to bring in motorcycles for us to sell and then move that product , I would have never hit this goal ,” he says . “ The dealership has allowed me the opportunity to do that .”
Kamrad has an Engineering degree , and six months after he graduated from college , he interviewed for a motorcycle sales position . “ They hired me the next day . My whole life had been motorcycling up until then , even before changing careers . At that time , I literally threw away my college degree and started selling motorcycles and never looked back .”
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Employees bring their pets to the dealership regularly and Michael Kamrad is pictured with his cat , Pancho , who hangs out and greets customers a couple times a week . Photo courtesy of Simply Ride |
Content
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SOLUTIONS
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12 Part 2 : Planning for exit and succession |
Kawasaki Motors Corp ., U . S . A . appoints president
Kawasaki Motors Corp ., U . S . A . welcomes Naoki Kawaguchi to the role of president effective immediately . Kawaguchi has a long history with Kawasaki , most recently serving as the executive vice president of 4−Wheel Business at Kawasaki Motors Corp ., U . S . A . He oversaw continued sales growth and the successful launches of the Kawasaki Teryx KRX4 1000 and Kawasaki Ridge side-by-side vehicles .
Kawaguchi started with Kawasaki 30 years ago as an engineer and has built a diverse background in roles including vice president ( factory manager ) at Kawasaki Motors Enterprise in Thailand , various roles within Marketing & Sales and Business Planning divisions with Kawasaki Motors in Japan , and president of Kawasaki Motores do Brazil before coming to the U . S . in 2022 .
After leading Kawasaki ’ s U . S . operations through the global pandemic and helping the company achieve record retail sales as president , Eigo Konya will return to Kawasaki Motors in Japan where he will serve as deputy general manager of Sales & Marketing , senior manager of the Sales Planning Division and manager of the Accessories Section .
“ This is a very exciting time for Kawasaki ,” Kawaguchi says . “ My time dedicated to growing our 4−wheel business culminated with the successful launch of the Kawasaki Ridge and we have big goals to continue to grow our side-by-side business along with building on our successful two-wheel and Jet Ski heritage .
Naoki Kawaguchi started at Kawasaki 30 years ago as an engineer . Photo courtesy of Kawasaki
Kawasaki is fortunate to have the best dealer network in the industry and the future is looking very bright .”
Iron Pony Motorsports expands in Ohio
Iron Pony Motorsports Group has acquired Honda Suzuki Can-Am of Jackson , Ohio . This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Iron Pony Motorsports , which now has four locations throughout Ohio including Westerville , Lancaster / Carroll , Mansfield and Jackson .
The acquisition was spearheaded by Iron Pony Motorsports owners Chris Jones , Tammy Jones , Derek Jones and Cory Atwood to reach new markets and strengthen its
Iron Pony Motorsports Group now has four locations in Ohio . Photo courtesy of Iron Pony
position in the industry . Chris Jones brings a unique and personal touch to this acquisition . Having forged strong connections during his days in distribution in the 1980s , Chris has a long-standing relationship with the former owners of Honda-Suzuki of Jackson , Mark Simmons and Brooke Phillips .
“ Acquiring Honda Suzuki Can-Am of Jackson feels like coming full circle ,” Jones says . “ I ’ ve known Mark and Brooke since my distribution days in the 1980s . Our shared passion for the industry and commitment to customer satisfaction has formed the foundation of a lasting friendship . Bringing their dealership under the Iron Pony Motorsports umbrella is not just a business move ; it ’ s a reunion of like-minded individuals dedicated to the world of Powersports .”
With this acquisition , Iron Pony Motorsports aims to enhance the overall customer experience by providing a broader range of products and services . Customers can now expect an expanded inventory of Honda , Suzuki and Can-Am products along with exceptional service and expertise .
“ We are excited to welcome the customers and staff of Honda Suzuki Can-Am of Jackson into the Iron Pony Motorsports family . All current staff are expected to remain and we will soon bring the amazing amounts of parts , apparel and accessories that all Iron Pony / Pony Powersports locations are known for . Our combined efforts will undoubtedly lead to a stronger , more dynamic force in the Powersports industry ,” the new owners share . And Iron Pony Motorsports Group is actively looking for more dealership acquisitions .
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