The biggest powersports industry news this summer was Polaris’ one quarter share purchase of KTM.
Polaris now owns twenty five percent of the Austrian motorcycle maker and has an agreement to buy the balance of the outstanding shares in two years time.
This move will empower Polaris dealers with off-road stable mates for Victory motorcycles, some pretty sophisticated 4-stroke single cylinder technology and the opportunity for Polaris distribution in European markets.
For KTM the deal offers instant access to the ATV marketplace with the world’s number two or three (depending on who’s counting) biggest seller, including access to both CVT transmission and IRS suspension technology.
Both companies are crowing it’s “business as usual” with no changes on the immediate horizon, but the reality of this amazing marriage may deliver some interesting slathering of orange paint on this side of the pond.
