#Polaris

Polaris made a presentation to its investors earlier this month, which contained some stunning claims.

Riding the success of its Ranger and RZR side-by-sides, Polaris’ presentation shows it has a significant North American market share advantage over any of its competitors. While no direct comparative numbers were provided in the presentation, Polaris did include one graphic which showed its rise in market share from 2005 through 2012.

According to this graphic, in 2005 Polaris was just behind Yamaha in third place with Honda in front by a comfortable margin. By 2008 Polaris and Honda were neck and neck, but Polaris was only beginning its ascent. The graphic seems to imply that in 2012 Polaris sold about twice as many models as any other manufacturer. Of course, this should be taken with a grain of salt as side-by-side data for Polaris competitors is only an estimate. Regardless, while Honda and Yamaha are shown to have dipped significantly since the recession started, Polaris has gotten much, much stronger.

Polaris has been a big supporter of desert racing in recent years, providing factory support for multiple race teams. Now Polaris has been announced as the presenting sponsor for the 2013 General Tire Mint 400. According to Polaris, there are more RZRs entered in The Mint 400 than any other vehicle.

“We are thrilled to have Polaris as the presenting sponsor for the 2013 Mint 400,” says Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli. “The UTV Class has exploded in growth over the past few years because they are affordable to campaign and virtually race-ready from the showroom floor. You can literally go buy a Polaris RZR from a dealer – and with a few modifications be out racing the next weekend! It’s really exciting to watch people get into these vehicles and then become die-hard off-road race fans!”

Polaris, its dealers and Victory Motorcycles have teamed up to donate $154,125 to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The donation is part of Polaris’ continuing relationship with the WWP, an organization that raises awareness and aids injured servicemen and women. Earlier this year, Polaris also gave away three special, blacked-out Ranger RZR XP 4 900 Side-by-Side vehicles to WWP veterans.

“Our relationship with the Wounded Warrior Project allows Polaris and our dealers to support the men and women who selflessly sacrifice for our nation through their military service,” says Scott Wine, Polaris Industries CEO. “We consider it an honor and a privilege to partner with the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that lends a hand to those who merit it most. We hope this donation helps these brave men and women return to the rich, active lives they truly deserve.”

Kane Fraser, a paraplegic, decided to take on the 2011 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in a Polaris RZR XP 900.

“This was our first Baja 1000, our first time racing, and for me my first time racing in any sport ever,” says Fraser.

A first timer’s experience at Baja is hardly ever smooth and Fraser did run into a few issues. His team would add over 100 miles to their total mileage after a wrong turn, and in turn would add hundreds of followers as they headed towards their ceremonial finish at 2am Sunday morning, 36 hours after the start Friday afternoon.

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“We wanted to finish, we didn’t care, nothing would stop us. We kept going and did finish! We were a little bug eyed, but we finished,” says Heino Seibert from Spectra Power Sports, Fraser’s co-driver.

Polaris Industries Inc. has announced the acquisition of Goupil Industrie SA, a privately owned, Bourran, France-based manufacturer of on-road, commercial electric vehicles. The move will add Goupil vehicles to Polaris’ growing small electric vehicle product portfolio.

Goupil, which reported approximately $25 million in sales during calendar year 2010, will continue operating in Bourran with its current staff.

“As Polaris continues to deliver outstanding performance and gain market share in our core business, we are excited to acquire Goupil and add to our growing small electric vehicle lineup. We are eager to pursue the natural synergies between their commercial light duty work products and the more people-mover oriented offerings from our GEM business,” says Scott Wine, Polaris chief executive officer. “We see tremendous, long term growth in the global small electric vehicle market, and Goupil, with its established product line, history of profitable growth, and segment-leading European presence, will be an integral part of our strategy to realize that potential.”

“We are excited to advance our electric vehicle capability by establishing Polaris as a business partner and part owner of Brammo, one of the most innovative and aggressive companies we have found in the electric motorcycle space,” says Scott Wine, Polaris CEO. “Our companies share a passion for performance, and we look forward to exploiting the numerous opportunities created by pairing Brammo’s industry-leading electric powertrain technology with Polaris’ vast array of market-leading powersports products. This is a small, but important, investment for Polaris in an electric vehicle market that we feel is poised for significant growth.”

Polaris is hardly new to electric vehicles. The Minnesota-based manufacturer currently produces the Ranger EV off-road vehicle and the Gem and Breeze neighborhood vehicles.

Polaris Off-Road Vehicle sales are up 25 percent in the third quarter.

Every three months Polaris sends out a quarterly report on sales figures and profit margins. We’re certainly not experts in business, but it’s difficult not to notice that Polaris has been thriving in recent years while many other manufacturers continue to battle a tough economy.

Polaris has reported record third quarter sales (three months ending Sept. 30, 2011) of $729.9 million, up 26 percent from last year’s third quarter sales of $580.1 million. Through the first nine months of 2011 Polaris has totals sales of $1.87 billion. This sales growth was felt across all product lines (Off-Road, Snowmobile, On-Road, and Parts, Garmets & Accessories).

Off-Road Vehicle sales, comprised of ATVs and Ranger side-by-side vehicles, increased 25 percent year-over-year, to $486.2 million, during the third quarter 2011. According to Polaris, this increase reflects significant North American market share gains for both ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. Through the first nine months of 2011, Off-Road Vehicle sales have reached $1.36 billion.

Polaris Industries Inc. has made several organizational changes designed to align its leadership team with the company’s long term strategic objectives, namely to strengthen its global business.

“The transition strengthens the company as we continue to explore business opportunities around the globe, and puts our leaders in positions to further grow and develop to meet these challenges,” says Scott Wine, Polaris CEO. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented team of people at Polaris. Our deep reservoir of strong leaders allows us to make changes from a position of strength, which will maximize both the potential of the company and our executive leaders.”

Creating a laser focus on international markets is a primary objective of these changes. In the newly created role of VP – EMEA, Matt Homan will lead the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business, concentrating on the development of both organic and inorganic growth opportunities in the region. Homan began his Polaris career in 2002 as ATV marketing manager, and for the past several years he served as VP and General Manager Off-Road Vehicle business.

Polaris Industries Inc. honored three individuals and three dealerships for their significant long-term contributions to the company’s success by inducting them into the Polaris Hall of Fame at the National Sales Meeting held in Nashville, Tenn.

Inducted into the Polaris Hall of Fame, which was created during the company’s 50th anniversary in 2004, were two retired employees, a former executive with a key supplier and three Polaris dealerships.

“It’s an honor for us to recognize the outstanding contributions these individuals made to Polaris growth and success, and the way these leading dealerships have helped built and represent the Polaris brand,” says Polaris CEO Scott Wine.

The National Guard Polaris Coastal Drilling Yokley Racing Team hauler traveled to Louisville Kentucky for the annual Thunder over Louisville on April 16. This one day event features the largest annual fireworks show in the country, kicking off the festivities leading up to the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

Unusually volatile spring weather in the region made less than perfect weather conditions for the event. Intermittent rain, cool temps and windy conditions kept the attendance less than normal. However, 300,000 people attended and witnessed a great air show featuring 90 military and other aircraft, including the latest $150 million F-22 Raptor fighter jet. As well, 58,000 shells were exploded for the grand finale 30 minute fireworks display.

While the brand new Can-Am Commander has been getting plenty of headlines in recent months, the folks at Polaris decided to remind everybody that the RZR S is still the sportiest UTV on the block.

Perhaps taking a cue from Yamaha’s video which rather openly bashes the Honda Rancher, Polaris put together a video pitting its Ranger RZR S 800 against the Commander 1000 XT in an “Off-Road Challenge.”

As you may suspect (seeing as Polaris produced the video) the results of the competition are not glowing for the Commander and Polaris shouts it from the treetops. Here’s a sampling of quotes from the video, which you can watch for yourself after the jump:

“The Ranger RZR S clearly dominated the Commander when it comes to sport-specific design.”

“With its shorter wheelbase and higher center of gravity, once the Commander starts bucking there’s no stopping until you’re off the bumps.”

“Ranger RZR S delivers a level of agility Commander simply can not match.”

“Hit the gas for a straight ahead drag race and the two machines are dead even out of the hole and up to 20 miles per hour. After that the Commander starts to pull away, but only if you keep going in a straight line on a smooth track. Straight line drag racing has nothing to do with off-road sport performance.”

“Despite its ample horsepower, Commander clearly lacks the suspension and agility to deliver true sport performance.”

ProCharger wants to make your side-by-side go faster…a lot faster. The Kansas-based company plans to do this with its new intercooled, supercharger that is currently available for 800 EFI Polaris Ranger models.

ProCharger’s system utilizes what it calls the industry’s smallest, self-contained gear driven supercharger – the ProCharger A-1. The supercharger kits also include an air-to-air intercooler. Combined with the supercharger, the intercooler helps to provide the engine with huge performance gains.