If you ask the ATV makers who build both side-by-sides and ATVs how business is going, you’ll get varying answers.
For sure there’ll be complete agreement on the fact the SxS biz is carrying the day with consumers and especially for Polaris with the red hot sales success of the RZR and its many variations.
Frankly, it looks like the more models an OEM builds in the UTV segment, the stronger its bottom line is. Right now Polaris, Arctic Cat and Can-Am are leading with the number of UTVs in their product repertoires and all claim to have very strong sales across their product lines.
We have little doubt this is true. These are the same companies that are bringing new models and features to the marketplace, not just with side-by-sides but with ATVs, too.
It’s interesting to note that once-dominant Suzuki has almost dropped off the map with recognition in the ATV biz – and this is the only one of the Big-7 manufacturers that is not building any kind of UTV product.
Honda offers the limited appeal Big Red and we have no idea how it’s overall sales are going but dealers are telling us the long-established brand is having a tough time in showroom comparisons with those OEMs offering new models and especially an array of SxS equipment.
Kawasaki has a wide model selection of Mule and Teryx products, and although not promoting much, seems to be holding its market share.
An exception here is powerful Yamaha, arguably the ATV market leader. Because of legal hassles, it has reduced Rhino availability significantly but continues to advance its ATV sales and strong market share upswing.
