Motorcycle Show targets scooter crowd

From the Toronto Motorcycle Show

TORONTO, ON -- The Toronto Motorcycle Show, the Canadian motorcycle and ATV industries’ premier motorcycle, scooter and ATV event, announced on Monday new features for the show including "Scooter Central," featuring the hottest in four-stroke scooters, "Independent Alley," showcasing Canadian built and unique custom rides and a growing number of new bike models from the industry’s leading manufacturers.

Scooter sales increased over 100% between 2003 and 2008. According to the Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC), an estimated 11,000 units will be sold by the end of 2008. Motorcycle and scooter sales increased over 13% during the 2008 spring/summer selling season compared to sales during this same time in 2007.

"High fuel prices make scooters and motorcycles an attractive and inexpensive alternate to gas guzzling cars and trucks and the sales numbers prove it," said Bob Ramsay, president of MMIC. "Scooter sales were up 22% from June, 2007 to June, 2008, so we know that motorcycles and scooters are here to stay."

The Toronto Motorcycle Show, one of seven Canadian motorcycle and ATV shows owned by the Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC) and Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV), will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Friday, Dec. 12 until Sunday, Dec. 14.