QUAD: What does Suzuki have up its sleeve?
Rod: Broad question—many things! We have a ton of great retail programs with SuzukiFest 2007 for our customers. As in the past Suzuki will continue to develop class-leading products in categories where we currently don’t compete. Currently we have some holes in our ATV product line and we will be filling them to bring more new customers to Suzuki dealers!
QUAD: What’s the most popular Suzuki ATV?
Rod: In regard to retail it was close between the QuadRacer R450 and the KingQuad 700 during 2006 but, the QuadRacer was released in late February 2006 so we didn’t have a full year of sales.
QUAD: What’s the ratio of 4×4s sold as compared to sport quads?
Rod: In 2006 it was almost 50/50. As you know we currently have more 4X4 models but with the award-winning QuadRacer’s exceptional sales it closed that gap and is almost dead even.
QUAD: Suzuki has been instrumental in supporting ATV racing. Why?
Rod: Suzuki as a company is all about competition and performance. The company is competitive, the different Suzuki race team truck drivers are competitive with each other. It’s Suzuki DNA and I feel no other manufacturer supports powersports racing like Suzuki. Just look at Mladin, Spies, Carmichael, Gust…Champions choose Suzuki. We have dominated every major race category over the last few years.
QUAD: What’s your favorite thing about ATVs and the industry?
Rod: This is a tough one. There are so many. On the ATV side I think that it is a great family activity, whether you are racing or just recreational riding, it is awesome! The industry is so strong and the products are incredible. And it keeps getting better. All the supporting mechanism like dealerships, the media and most importantly, the people are the best that the industry has ever seen.
In regard to the industry, I feel that I’m one of those fortunate people who get paid to do something they truly enjoy! My family owned the first Yamaha dealer in New Jersey and motorcycles and ATVs where my life. When I was 17 my family sold the dealership and I went to work for a local dealer as the General Manager and that was when I first came in contact with Suzuki. As I moved from my District Manager position all the way up to the management level, I saw that Suzuki really cared about their dealers and worked on developing relationships like I had not seen in the industry. Through seeing that my goal was clear that I wanted to stay with them and be involved as much as possible in this industry!
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