American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 216 July 2017 | Page 64
Championship of the Americas at
BRIEFS AIMExpo, Columbus, Ohio,
September 21-24
NEWS
Dutch portfolio equity investor ABN
AMRO Participations has bought a
majority stake in the Dutch/German
exhaust specialist The Jekill and
Hyde Company. Founded in 1997
by Jacques van de Kerhof, J&H
develop exhaust systems with an
electronically adjustable valve.
In a recent appearance on Fox
Business Network, Harley CEO
Matt Levatich regretted the
U.S. administration’s decision
to withdraw from the Trans-
Pacific Partnership free trade
deal with ASEAN and other
Asian countries, including
Japan, saying “TPP was in
negotiation for almost a
decade before it was
unfortunately turned down.
That would have helped
us a lot.”
A potentially misinstalled engine oil
cooler line has caused Harley to
have to issue a recall on some
45,500 2017 Tourers.
Harley-Davidson and Jeep
have renewed and deepened a
European partnership that
sees the 4x4 brand being a
key partner and official
sponsor of major Harley
events and rallies in Europe,
the Middle East and Africa.
India has overtaken China as the
world’s largest motorcycle market.
Last year over 17.7m motorcycles
were sold in India – around 1m
more than in China, where the
16.8m motorcycles sold was
actually a decline of -11 percent.
Motorcycle sales in China are said
to have peaked at around 19m
units in 2009 – since then
increasing numbers of Chinese
cities have actually been banning
motorcycle use, especially in city
centers, in a (mistaken?) attempt to
curb air pollution.
All ‘Builders’ invited to enter to win a trip to
the AMD World Championship in 2018
Registration is now open for the
Championship of the Americas (COTA)
at the 5th annual AIMExpo in
September – a year that is likely to see
a huge V-twin dealer and consumer
attendance as a result of the move to
the Midwest and decision by both
Indian Motorcycle and Harley-
Davidson to become exhibitors.
The most prestigious show in North
America when it comes to the world
custom bike building scene, the
Championship of the Americas is the
only official AMD World Championship
of Custom Bike Building affiliate in the
Americas.
In addition to all the great prizes and
the excellent industry network
opportunities, the winner of the
FreeStyle class gets $7,500 in expenses
to ship him and his bike to Cologne,
Germany, for the 2018 (October) AMD
World Championship of Custom Bike
Building at the prestigious ‘INTERMOT
Customized’ Expo.
Staged during the INTERMOT expo,
arguably the most important
motorcycle industry exhibition in the
world, the winner gets the VIP
treatment as a member of ‘TEAM USA’
and of the COTA/AMD crew at the
event and a shot at bringing home the
ultimate accolade as World Champion
Custom Bike Builder.
The AMD World Championship at
‘INTERMOT Customized’ is estimated
to have been viewed by over 160,000
show visitors; INTERMOT regularly
attracts over 210,000 industry and
consumer visitors from all over
Jordan Dickinson (Union Speed Cycle) of Minneapolis took the FreeStyle win
and with it the Champion of the Americas prize for 2016 that scoops him
bike air freight and personal travel expenses to represent USA at the
October 2018 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building at
‘INTERMOT Customized' in Cologne, Germany
Germany, Europe and worldwide –
some 116 countries in 2016.
The Championship of the Americas is
based on AMD World Championship
rules. There are 4 classes: FreeStyle,
Retro Custom, Street Custom and
Performance Custom, which provide
different platforms for builders to
decide the style and brand to design
their entry around.
In addition, this year will feature an
online component, the Trending
Awards, for the best Bobber, Cafe
Racer, Chopper and Tracker entries.
All the rules and forms are available
online, or call Bob Kay on 817-312-
0380. Columbus is shaping up to be
the biggest and best AIMExpo yet with
the Championship of the Americas
smack dab in the middle of the Custom
Culture Area, surrounded by the likes of
Factory Harley-Davidson, S&S, Biker’s
Choice, TC Bros, Andrews Cams, Red
Line Oil, JRI Shocks, AD Farrow, Ace
Cafe and Simpson Helmets, with more
exhibitors signing up every week.
www.aimexpo-usa.com