Norton sales and marketing in US...

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
21,555
Country flag
A great article with a great quote in this months Classic Bike:

“We began to pick up dealers... there was some reluctance at first, but once they saw that we backed up warranty and could supply spares, it got better”

That’s from Mike Jackson, head of Norton US operations ... in 1970 ...!

It would seem to be a valuable lesson from history. C’mon Norton, the biggest bike market in the Western world is shrivelling and dying for you because of basic lack of support in the field...

Wonder if Mike’s still alive and could be persuaded out of retirement ?!
 
As I recall, getting thru the various hoops to allow the bikes to be sold in North America was a long drawn out and expensive procedure.
Now they have it and don't seem to be too concerned about maintaining things.
See Simon's comment about the Canadian market being Kaput for Norton.
Really? It is a high disposable income Country of 36 million people ! We have plenty of ex Pat Brits and children of same who will willingly pay far too much for a motorcycle with the Norton logo on the tank!!
Very nearly did this myself.

Glen
 
Last edited:
Fast Eddie said:
A great article with a great quote in this months Classic Bike:

“We began to pick up dealers... there was some reluctance at first, but once they saw that we backed up warranty and could supply spares, it got better”

That’s from Mike Jackson, head of Norton US operations ... in 1970 ...!

It would seem to be a valuable lesson from history. C’mon Norton, the biggest bike market in the Western world is shrivelling and dying for you because of basic lack of support in the field...

Wonder if Mike’s still alive and could be persuaded out of retirement ?!
Click to expand...

Norton actually had someone in-house running their US operation in the 70’s?

I didn’t know that.

I thought Joe Berliner of Berliner Motors Corp fame controlled which models and numbers of bikes that Norton imported into the US?
 
just the other day i read, ~ "of course we provide parts"

posted 12/17
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/would-you-buy-one-again.24325/#post-358465
Now that I live in Arizona my nearest dealer in in California, 500 miles away. Last year when I still lived in Washington State I went to the Norton dealer there ready to write the check. The one bike that they had in stock didn't run and they had been waiting for almost a year for a new ECU unit. They have since relinquished their franchise.
Click to expand...

then surprise, surprise
Too late now. I took the 20K that I had put aside for the 961 and purchased a new touring bike. Maybe next year if the money and the desire are there. I'll watch what the factory does and see if a dealership ends up in the Phoenix area. If Norton isn't interested in supporting the 5th largest metro area in the country I will have a tough time supporting Norton. 500 miles to my nearest dealership is too far. Thanks for the recommendation
Click to expand...

look like a prob overall that only experts in the game could sort out, if there is even a will to go there,

it's not a customer problem, it's norton providing & delivering the goods,

the mainstream market has little interest or patience, with something/anything new that comes with issues, even worse, a track record of it, at a premium price no less
 
Last edited:
Mike Jackson is president of the Norton Owners Club & resides in the south of England - he regularly turns up at NOC functions and still writes articles for Roadholder, Andover Norton newsletter etc.
 
https://www.google.ca/search?ei=s_v......0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.xHhco7kWT74

http://surrey.branches.nortonownersclub.org/files/2012/04/Peashooter7.pdf
Mike Jackson, Norton's former Sales Director , one-time owner of Andover Norton and National President of the NOC has agreed to talk to the Branch at the Club meeting on 30th November. Mike has competed in trials and motocross events at the highest level in UK, Europe and USA. He began racing in 1954, riding on Francis Barnett, James, Greeves and AJS, winning numerous events. During this time he worked in sales for Greeves and later AJS. When he was appointed General Sales Manager for Norton Villiers Corp in 1970, he moved to the US, and raced AJS in West Coast Desert events. He enjoyed some top placings in the prestigious Barstow To Vegas Hare and Hounds and the Elsinore Grand Prix. Mike 's career with Norton Villiers continued - he became Sales Director for the European concern, before becoming Marketing Director for Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd between 1974 and 1981. In 1981 he became the owner of Andover Norton International Ltd and - 10 years later - co-owner of BSA Group Ltd.
Click to expand...
 
Back
Top