The Triumph Motorcycle America Dealer Council will provide a formal setting for the 170-plus Triumph dealers across the nation to share their thoughts on issues from succeeding in a weak economy to improving customer service.

The dealer council is one aspect of Triumph’s efforts to increase market share in the U.S.

“Our dealers are an integral part of Triumph’s success, and the Dealer Council is a great way for us to better understand the challenges and opportunities they face,” says Mike Cunningham, vice president of dealer development for Triumph Motorcycles America. “Triumph has been through a number of economic peaks and valleys as a company throughout its more than 100 year history, so we are acutely aware of the challenges and opportunities that this kind of business climate brings. From our perspective, this is the perfect time to strengthen the Triumph dealer network so that we will all be better positioned to grow in the years to come.”

Nine dealers representing different regions, market sizes and business approaches were selected to form the first dealer council:

• Don Jeka of Great Bay Motorcycles in North Hampton, NH;
• Dennis Martin of Martin Motorsports in Boyertown, PA;
• Kurt Opel of Ride Motorsports in Issaquah, WA;
• Jeff Gallo of Gulf Motorsports in Fort Myers, FL;
• Suzanne Lasko-Canu of Triumph Detroit in Roseville, MI;
• Zach Materne of Triumph of New Orleans in New Orleans, LA;
• Mike Hendry of Foothills Triumph Motorcycles in Lakewood, CO; and Northern Colorado Euro Motorcycles in Loveland, CO;
• Mike Meissner of Cal Moto in Mountain View, CA; and Tri-Valley in Livermore, CA; and
• Mark Engel of Just Imports in Matthews, NC
• The first council meeting was held in September, and the discussion topics will be addressed at the Triumph dealer meeting in February, 2010.