Searching for ways to strengthen its dealer and vendor relationships, Tucker Rocky has re-evaluated its processes and strategies and the company has announced a series of changes in its sales team. According to a press release Tim Pritchard has chosen to leave the company and will be replaced by Joe Galvin as vice president of sales. Debbie Bell has been promoted to vice president of customer service and inside sales, it told us, adding, “To continue our focus on brand management the Answer, MSR and ProTaper groups in our Corona office will now report to Sean Phillips, senior segment director.”

Universal Trailer Holdings Corp. (UTC) has purchased cargo trailer manufacturer Wells Cargo, Inc., which fits the company’s goal of offering the best value across a broad range of trailer products, President and CEO Tom Frey stated. “The addition of Wells Cargo will continue to advance our efforts to expand manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies as well as help us progress toward our strategic goals,” Frey said, adding, “It completes our quality cargo trailer offerings in every price category.”

“Holley Performance, a supplier of high-performance products to professional racers and street car enthusiasts, has again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection,” a company press release informed. It said Holley has been unable to reach an agreement with lenders who say the company has defaulted on the debt terms of its 2008 bankruptcy reorganization and are threatening foreclosure. “The company’s business plan after emerging from bankruptcy last year included growing its original equipment business, which it is now trying to sell after a deal with Caterpillar for diesel truck engines fell through,” explained the release, which added, “Holley said earlier this year that it was cutting staff and pay and closing a plant in Mexico.”

Love Ride 26, originally scheduled for Oct. 25, 2009, was canceled due to the weak economy, spokesperson Steve Fisher announced. “In place of the usual event, Glendale Harley, home of the Love Ride, sponsored an autograph session with Peter Fonda and a free movie screening commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Fonda’s starring role in Easy Rider,” explained Fisher. He added the replacement event took take place at the dealership Friday, October 23rd from 4-10 p.m.

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA), which represents over 10,000 international nameplate franchises, released September 2009 sales figures for the international nameplate automobile industry, informed spokesperson Libby Krum. “Overall sales, including domestic brands and unadjusted for business days, were down 22.7 percent compared to September 2008 and down 27.4 percent for the year,” she reported, adding, “The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for light vehicles now stands at 9.22 million, compared to 12.57 million units in September 2008.” September 2009 sales dropped 41 percent from August 2009, Krum continued, and according to numbers provided from Autodata Corp., international brands sold 419,080 vehicles in September, down from 747,689 in August and 460,182 in September 2008. “Asian brands accounted for 46.5 percent of the market, down from 52.3 percent in August 2009 and European nameplates had a 9.6 percent share, up from 6.9 percent in August,” Krum told us. She concluded by saying, “Domestic brands finished the month with 43.8 percent of the market, up from 40.8 in August.”

In just five short hours of consideration, the Board of Directors of the Washington State Motorsports Dealer Association (WSMDA) unanimously approved the endorsement of the Powersports International Internet Expo (PIIE). With comments like: "It's a no-brainer for me - Yes I think we should support it" and "I think it is a good idea. If I'm going to fly, it will be to someplace warm!" the entire board voted to support the very first virtual trade show for the powersports industry, slated for Jan. 1 through Feb. 2, 2010. Rick Campbell, publisher of Motorcycle Industry magazine, the Expo's host, said, "I think this is just the first of a few state associations that will endorse the event. It makes so much sense in today's economic environment and has so very much to offer."

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reported Ducati North America has recalled roughly 753 Ducati motorcycles due to fuel pump issues. The recalled vehicles include the 2009 1098R, 2009 1098S and 2010 F1098 Streetfighter models, the AMA explained, adding, “The fuel hose may become disconnected from the fuel pump which could result in engine stalling and a fuel leak.” Stalling could then cause a crash and a fuel leak could result in a fire, it continued, and owners of these vehicles can contact Ducati at 800-231-6696.

Mike Traynor, 70, president of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) and co-founder of the Ride for KidsÆ, passed away in September after a brief illness, spokesperson Mary O. Ratcliffe announced. “When Mike and Dianne Traynor founded the Ride for KidsÆ over 25 years ago, their mission was to bring the motorcycle community together to fight childhood brain tumors,” she told us, adding, “Mike was gratified that motorcyclists have helped to raise more than $50 million for the cause to date and that PBTF-funded research is increasing survival rates and improving treatment options for children around the world.”