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The North American market for automobiles, motorcycles and powersports vehicles represents a massive opportunity for foreign manufacturers. However, many companies have tried and pulled back due to the complexity in Franchise laws, liabilities and operational challenges. We provide expertise and guidance to these manufacturers.

OUR VISION

We believe there is a significant opportunity to address these challenges on behalf of, or, in partnership with foreign brands and manufacturers. Expertise in the areas described above, coupled with long standing relationships in various disciplines provides foreign manufacturers and brands with an opportunity to effectively launch and build their business in North America.

WHAT WE DO

  • Cultural: From millennials to seniors, we understand the automotive and powersports market. Our partners have decades of experience coupling the right product in the right market through the right retail experience… in the right way.

  • Legal: We have spent decades establishing relationships with the leading firms that focus on Automotive and Powersports distribution agreements.

  • Financial: We can design and execute the most effective funding model at multiple levels of the supply chain. This provides and seamless value add for distributors and dealers.

  • Technical: We are experienced with all phases of the homologation process. US and Canadian safety and emission standards are closely followed. re-engineering recommendations and execution can be delivered. Certification is completed and managed in North America.

  • Local Knowledge: Our partners have been establishing retail environments that fit with the market trends and shifting cultural expectations of the market for decades. This expertise is coupled with a detailed understanding of local franchise laws and regulations. The result is a successful venture positioned for growth.

OUR SERVICES

Market Analysis

Market shifts, new technology and changing requirements for mobility are presenting new opportunities in the market. We identify the right product and connect them with the right market.

Distribution Alignment

Our principals have owned, managed and developed numerous automotive and powersports dealerships for decades. We will build out and manage the most efficient distribution model for select dealers to provide optimal business performance.

Product Strategy

The mobility market is rapidly evolving. Re- launching heritage brands and identifying new products for emerging categories creates new market opportunities. We help builders imagine, specify and launch new and renewed ideas.

Market Launch

It is difficult for offshore manufacturers and brands to understand the dealer landscape and local and national market nuances. Our experience with dealer / brand promotion, online / social media and experiential marketing drives successful launches.

Meet The Team

Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas- Partner
David Thomas is a 37-year veteran of the retail automobile and motorcycle business. He has been a dealer for some of the most iconic brands in the marketplace, including Harley-Davidson, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, GM, Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler. For the past nine years, he has owned and operated one of the most successful and profitable Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country.

David was one of the first auto dealers in the USA to adopt the Internet as an outreach tool to attract customers who did not want to buy a car through the traditional auto buying process. David was an early adopter of Social and Digital media as the primary way to market his Harley-Davidson dealership, raising it to the top 3% of Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country for net sales. In addition, major manufacturers such as Toyota, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Harley-Davidson Financial Services and Honda have recognized David for excellence in retail operations.

He has real-world experience in dealer operations, marketing, customer experience processes, frontline employee engagement, and business practices that maximize profitability.

Doug Windsor
Doug Windsor- Partner
Doug Windsor is a long-time motorcycle enthusiast, Mechanical Engineer, Management Consultant and Digital Marketing Strategist.

His experience includes: corporate operations, dealer and franchise marketing and leading digital marketing strategy and execution. Engagements include technology start ups, marketing and advertising agencies and numerous commercial clients.

Doug has lead Franchise marketing and deployment work for clients including Navistar, Mutt Motorcycles, Jiffy Lube, Arby’s, Firkin Group of Pubs and the Marriot to name a few.

Doug’s powersports experience extends beyond franchise marketing and includes homologation, conformity, and importation requirements.

Doug has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University in Canada.

Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson- Partner
Mark Johnson is the President and founder of MD Johnson Inc. and resides in Enumclaw WA. Mark was formerly a new vehicle dealer in Washington State and had almost 20 years as a retailer before starting MD Johnson Inc in 2001.

Mark has been admitted and recognized as an expert in State, Federal and Family court. Mark has also been appointed by numerous Court appointed receivers as the advisor to the receiver in automotive related cases.

Mr. Johnson has an extensive speaker history as well as history of published or quoted material including USA Today, Automotive News, Automotive Buy Sell Report, Wards to name a few. Mark has also spoken to the Chilean dealers Association at the University of the Andes in Santiago, to the Argentinian dealer’s association at NADA and has conducted webinars for NADA’s educational division.

Mr. Johnson is also Editor and Publisher of Automotive Buy Sell Report.

Mark was raised in Spokane Washington and educated at Eastern Washington University.

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