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Hey, everybody!

I'm a 24-year old german, studying International Business & Management in the Netherlands.
For one of our most important group projects we have to work out a detailed fictional loan request for any investments that might help the business we're working for.
And this is where you come in:
The company that hired us as consultants in this 'simulation' is Envy Rides, which might be a name to some people here.
The case takes place in 2009 and we need to come up with ideas how we can increase sales, cut costs etc.

Therefore our group would like to get a better understanding of the Canadian motorcycle market, especially the region of Toronto and Mississauga. This would include
- What kind of motorcycles are very popular? (not brands, but the type of bikes: enduros, race bikes, ...)
Not in your own opinion, but estimated or (even better) real figures on market shares.

- What do you use your bike for? (recreational purposes only, or maybe as the preferred transportation vehicle, to work, ...)

- How do you feel about electric motorcycles?

- Is there a market that is really booming right now or that is noticably increasing for the past years?

If you have anymore ideas that you think might be helpful considering, your input is very welcome.


I would really appreciate your support. So if you have a couple of minutes to write something, that would be great.
Thanks to all of you in advance.

student
 
If you want to save costs at Envy Rides and increase sales, you can start by hiring competent people (from the top level down) who are passionate about motorcycles, not hair dye and tattoo's.

As for the generic motorcycle questions:

Cruisers are most popular. I'm not aware of sales figures, but judging on anecdotal evidence, the Friday the 13th Rally at Port Dover is extremely popular, while the July Sport Bike Rally just got canned.

I use my bike for commuting and for pleasure.

I think the entry level market is increasing, CBR 125, 250, Ninja 250, Ninja 400 are all relatively new to the market.
 
matthew said:
As for the generic motorcycle questions:

Cruisers are most popular. I'm not aware of sales figures, but judging on anecdotal evidence, the Friday the 13th Rally at Port Dover is extremely popular, while the July Sport Bike Rally just got canned.
Click to expand...

Tourers don't show up because they're off touring. :)
 
Don't be an ******* to your customer base. Don't act like a badass who is too good for his or her customers.

Don't be a ******, be sincere and do your best to help your employees.

/end.
 
This is what students do for research now?

Get off my lawn.
 
The company that hired us as consultants in this 'simulation' is Envy Rides.

Hired you? When? what? A little late, no?
 
A German student, studying in the Netherlands.. and his case study is for a bike shop in Mississauga?

:dontknow:
 
I'm calling shenanigans on this thread.
 
caboose483 said:
A German student, studying in the Netherlands.. and his case study is for a bike shop in Mississauga?

:dontknow:
Click to expand...

You didn't take business in school? I am just assuming this a case study project. And the case was "Envy Rides".

BTW business's sometimes donate their financial info for case studies.

EDIT:

For example in the business class I took we did Creemore Springs beer as a case study. What's "fishy" about that? The guy is just trying to get a leg up on his classmates with real world feed back and support for his final report.
 
caboose483 said:
Yah, you went to a Canadian school and did a case study on a Canadian company.

Had your case study been on Brouwerijhe't IJ (http://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/) I would find that very strange.
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I wouldn't find that strange at all. I did a case-based degree and our cases came from Jamaica, New Zealand, throughout Europe and North America. The cases are often chosen by the professor - maybe this person has a Canadian professor who liked this case for some reason?

All that being said, the questions being posed are a little strange, for this forum.
 
I think they're planning an "Envy Rides II"
 
Do your own homework, lol
 
matthew said:
If you want to save costs at Envy Rides and increase sales, you can start by hiring competent people (from the top level down) who are passionate about motorcycles, not hair dye and tattoo's.

As for the generic motorcycle questions:

Cruisers are most popular. I'm not aware of sales figures, but judging on anecdotal evidence, the Friday the 13th Rally at Port Dover is extremely popular, while the July Sport Bike Rally just got canned.

I use my bike for commuting and for pleasure.

I think the entry level market is increasing, CBR 125, 250, Ninja 250, Ninja 400 are all relatively new to the market.
Click to expand...

Thank you. This is the kind of answer I'm looking for. :-)


oomis said:
This is what students do for research now?

Get off my lawn.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying the easy way, having my work done by you, if that's what you mean.
I'm just trying to get some inside opinions from motorcycle enthusiasts. I could ask german friends or people in the Netherlands, but the case takes place in Canada and therefore I would like to know more about what's going on in your region.


caboose483 said:
A German student, studying in the Netherlands.. and his case study is for a bike shop in Mississauga?

:dontknow:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know. I guess that's what they mean by international study program. :D


Freestyle72 said:
You didn't take business in school? I am just assuming this a case study project. And the case was "Envy Rides".

BTW business's sometimes donate their financial info for case studies.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. That's what's happening. Maybe I didn't make that clear enough, but I wanted to keep it short because I didn't want to bother you too much with details. Sry for that.


There have been some infos in here but try not to focus on the customer service.
In this case we just have to convice our teachers to give us the loan, so we need investment ideas that might be profitable.
Customer service is not in our hands. ;-)

For example, I would be very interested in what you think about electric motorcycles?
Is that an option for you? Would it bother that the range still is not that good? Would you miss the sound of the engine?

Thanks so far for your answers.
Greetings from the NL,


student
 
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There is a market for electric motorcycles, but the target market is NOT motorcyclists. Anyone who's ridden a motorcycle and has an emotional connection to it knows that an electric motorcycle can't deliver on those things. It doesn't have the power, doesn't have the feel, doesn't have the brand connection, doesn't have the subculture, doesn't have the ability to transport you halfway across the continent and back.

That's not to say that electric motorcycles won't take off - or eventually supplant gas-powered motorcycles, but the early adopter market will probably be scooter riders or bicylists. This market will have a better appreciation for the efficiency, for the cleanliness and a greater tolerance for the products' shortcomings - range, service network, lack of "character" and initial price.

I think you're barking up entirely the wrong tree when you say "try not to focus on customer service". What we're telling you is that this is what's wrong with the market in Canada. The way for shops to succeed is not to cut costs - it's to increase revenue. How do you increase revenue? It's not rocket science. Good staff, good selection of product, competitive pricing. Note that this doesn't mean the lowest price - but make your pricing competitive and your clients will be loyal BECAUSE of staff and selection.

We don't want electric motorcycles. We want motorcycles. And we want a shop that doesn't treat us like crap, gives us a reason to come in and browse, can answer our stupid questions without making us feel stupid, and gives us some sort of a sense of community.
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