Obama and Hu Jintao forgot to talk about Scooters.

It's pretty cool that China is in the spotlight this past week. Seems like Obama and Hu Jintao had a lot to talk about at the meeting. There's a lot more riding on this relationship than back in 80s when it was all about Russia, still the Chinese are a 6th of the world so you have to keep that in mind when looking at what they represent. I just get the feeling EPA and DOT compliance in the world of motocycles isn't at the top of the list. I also suspect the invasion of Tibet in 1940, the Japanese fishing islands, the Vietnamese border, or its support of North Korea aren't at the top of the list. You know you want a friendly meeting among friends that owe each money.

Why am I talking about this well Dealer Expo is next month. I just thought one of the funniest things going on at the EXPO is a session where American dealers will explain to Chinese OEMs what they need to do better to comply with US laws. I have to smile because its just plain ridiculous, Chinese companies have been taking over worldwide motorcycle production for the last 20 years. Some companies have been exporting since the late 90s scooters and ATVs. They know fully well what they need to do, they choose not to because it costs money. The irony is that we live in a world where we have to work around this and not plead ignorance.

If you sell Chinese units more than likely you are on your own. They will not indemnify you against a lawsuit, most don't comply with Lemon Laws, but you do it knowing full well the risks. I'll be in the audience at that session, the irony is that we sell products that are made in China just like everyone else in order to compete. So it comes down to knowing what you sell and why you sell it. Knowing what you sell is the biggest problem most dealers have. They don't know where to find the parts or how they work, because not all Chinese bikes are the same.

I think this is something we will go over in the education classes at the Dealer Expo. I know we will be talking about the family tress of who really makes what like

United Motors who made it? Well over 7 factories Zongshen, Hyosung, Wangye etc... we will go down the list for most popular brands like Benelli / Andretti made by QJ etc...

So 2011 Dealer Expo is all about China.


You cannot do business in the Powersports Industry without a Vietnamese or Chinese products and be competitive anymore. This is a universal truth from Arctic Cats made by Kymco to Honda or Piaggio made ZONGSHEN scooters.

So in the end I'm watching the news here, thinking about Dealer Expo, and listening to a song that fits perfectly with everything I see on the news.

Eveything Counts by Depeche Mode

The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
All for themselves
After all

It's a competitive world
Everything counts in large amounts

The graph
On the wall
Tells the story
Of it all
Picture it now
See just how
The lies and deceit
Gained a little more power
Confidence
Taken in
By a sun tan
And a grin

The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
All for themselves
After all

It's a competitive world
Everything counts in large amounts

The grabbing hands
Grab all they can
Everything counts in large amounts