Eric Pecoraro: our dealer network continues to grow
With 4,824 registrations in 2007, Triumph posted a 47% increase in the French motorcycle market. Eric Pecoraro, press manager at Triumph France, draws up the brand’s 2007 report for Site and explains its 2008 objectives to us..
Site: What do you think of the general evolution of the two-wheeler market in 2007? ?
Eric Pecoraro, press manager at Triumph France : The 125 market continues to grow and the over 125 category has grown by 4.96%, but this progression is in my opinion a bit artificial because many high volume brands have registered motorcycles that do not pass Euro3 standards . The trend therefore remains stable on the market for more than 125cc.
M.-N.C. : What is your assessment of your year? ?
E. P. : 2007 was a very good year! We are still breaking our sales record from last year. We are particularly pleased to note that this progression is not due to the Street Triple alone, as 800 Street Triple have been registered. So without the Street, our progression would be 22%. This constant progression has three major reasons: the first is our range of motorcycles, the second is our brand image which has evolved considerably, and the third is our dealer network which continues to professionalize and progress..
M.-N.C. : Are you fully satisfied with the results of your bestsellers: Speed Triple (read), Street Triple (read) and Daytona 675 (read) ?
E. P. : We are really satisfied with the sales results of the motorcycles you quote. The Speed Triple, for its third and last year on the market before the arrival of the new Speed Triple in February 2008, achieved its best score with nearly 1,200 motorcycles. The Tiger, a real alternative to the Japanese streamlined roadster and road trail, has found its market with 672 registrations. Finally, the Daytona 675 achieves "THE" performance with 513 registrations, or as much as the Kawasaki ZX-6R but with nearly four times fewer dealers..
M.-N.C. : What are the models whose sales have disappointed you and what was the cause ?
E. P. : We had no "disappointment" with our range. All models sold on or above our forecast.
M.-N.C. : According to you, your new products 2007 (Tiger 1050 and Street Triple, to read) have they "fulfilled their contract" for their first year ?
E. P. : Completely. The Tiger for the reasons mentioned in the previous questions. And the Street Triple has even more than fulfilled its contract, because the impact of the motorcycle on the very competitive market of 600 roadsters goes beyond the sales figures..
M.-N.C. : What was the good surprise 2007 ?
E. P. : Our dealer network, which manages to continually adapt to growing volumes while at the same time increasing customer satisfaction. A difficult challenge to meet which they nevertheless succeed.
M.-N.C. : What was the worst ?
E. P. : Any !
M.-N.C. : What do you think was the highlight of 2007 in the world of two-wheelers? ?
E. P. : The arrival of the Street Triple on the 600 market.
M.-N.C. : What is the situation of Triumph on a European and global scale? ?
E. P. : The brand is growing everywhere, in the USA and in Europe. France recorded the best growth of all our subsidiaries, and the French subsidiary which oversees France and Switzerland has become the second largest in the world, behind the USA but ahead of England.
M.-N.C. : How were your 2008 novelties received by your network and by all bikers ?
E. P. : The new products were very well received by our network and by the bikers.
M.-N.C. : In 2008, what will be your objectives in terms of sales but also of network, image and communication? ?
E. P. : Our desire is to strengthen our brand image. Promote the brand, our network and our customers. We want a customer’s "experience" when they are with Triumph to be an exceptional one..
M.-N.C. : Has the Internet share of your business increased in 2007: official website, dealer websites, impact on sales of new and used vehicles, visibility, advertising ?
E. P. : The share of the Internet continues to grow. The official website records an increase of almost 100% in the number of visits compared to last year.
M.-N.C. : What will be your major events in 2008: events, competitions, partnerships ?
E. P. : Our major events are the arrival of our novelties in the months of January and February, our doors open on March 27, 28 and 29, 2008 then the start of the season of the Supersport 600 world championship with the entry into the running of our team official.
M.-N.C. : The new products presented at the Mondial were only evolutions: Speed Triple relifted, SE version of the Daytona, switch to injection for Cruisers and Modern Classics … Triumph still has a nice surprise in store for 2008. ?
E. P. : The evolutions of Speed are deeper than they appear. But indeed, 2008 will be rich…
M.-N.C. : In conclusion, which maxim would best illustrate your 2007 balance sheet ?
E. P. : "2007 is only a step"…
Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE
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