BRP has signed an agreement with Tohatsu Corporation to supply a range of Evinrude outboard engines from 3.5 to 15 HP. The new engines will be available at BRP dealerships in early 2012, adding to BRP’s existing line-up of Evinrude E-TEC outboard engines of 15 to 300 HP.

“We believe Tohatsu Corporation, who builds quality and market-proven engines, to be the right supplier to complete the Evinrude line-up,” said José Boisjoli, president and CEO.

“BRP’s focus remains on the development and manufacturing of high-value and higher horsepower engines, using the E-TEC technology that we will continue to enhance with industry-leading features and benefits over the years to come.”

BRP invested considerably in the Evinrude brand and E-TEC technology, including a $15-million investment in its state-of-the-art facility in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, U.S. This agreement further supports its commitment to the Evinrude brand.

Three major SNOWMOBILE USA Show & Sale events will span across the Midwest this fall to welcome in the coming season with gusto.

These shows are the largest indoor events in their states featuring pure “snowmobile-only” action with special prices and discounts on accessories, performance parts, trailers, resorts, motels, clothing, magazines and everything else that relates to snowmobiling. Talk shop with factory reps, and see the 2012 sleds from Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo, and Yamaha at the Milwaukee and Novi shows. Area dealers will be on hand to take orders and offer special preseason prices on 2012 models with bigger savings on previous year models and a large selection of used snowmobiles at the new show location in Wausau, WI.

Vendors will offer special show prices and discounts on snowmobile related items including helmets, boots, suits, gloves, trailers, performance parts, belts, oil, decals, clothing accessories, resort packages, carbides, magazines, lodging, jewelry, tours, leathers and scores of other snowmobile related items.

In addition to dozens of Midwest snowmobile resort areas, destination locations from several Western states and Canadian Provinces will be on hand to show off their trail systems and lodging facilities.

As an added attraction to the weekend festivities, a “snowmobile swap meet” will be featured on Saturday and Sunday at the Milwaukee, WI and Wausau, WI shows to provide the opportunity to buy or sell used snowmobile items.

How about the younger riders? A snowmobile safety class will be offered to ages 12 and up at all three shows, and the KidUSA booth will offer a free activity for children to participate in while mom and dad are attending the SNOWMOBILE USA show. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to meet “Mr. Snow”, the show mascot who will be at all of the SNOWMOBILE USA events to greet them.

Show dates and hours for the SNOWMOBILE USA event at Milwaukee, WI Oct. 14-16, Novi, MI. Nov. 4-6, and Wausau, WI Nov. 11-13, 2011. Show hours are Friday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission to the Milwaukee, WI is $9.00. The Novi, MI show is $10.00. The Wausau, WI show admission is $6.00. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. All snowmobilers are invited to come to see, shop and save!

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created GPS snowmobile trail maps so snowmobilers can know their exact location and where a trail will take them. Garmin GPS users can download a background map containing Minnesota snowmobile trails, including state trails, trails within state parks, state forests, and other state owned lands, as well as snowmobile trails funded through the Grant-In-Aid snowmobile system. Available in Garmin IMG format – follow the link below

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snowmobiling/gps.html

Net sales up 18 percent to $74.9 million on higher sales across all product lines

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -July 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE)

Arctic Cat Inc. today reported that net sales increased 18 percent to $74.9 million in the fiscal 2012 first quarter ended June 30, 2011, up from net sales of $63.4 million in the prior-year first quarter. The company’s first quarter net loss improved to $2.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year. Arctic Cat historically reports a net loss in its fiscal first quarter, due to the seasonal nature of its products; the majority of the company’s sales and earnings occur in its fiscal second and third quarters.

Commented Claude Jordan, Arctic Cat’s president and chief executive officer: “We are very pleased with Arctic Cat’s double-digit sales gains and improved profitability in the 2012 first quarter. Revenue grew across all product lines, with particularly strong sales of our Prowler side-by-side utility vehicles contributing to the quarter’s results. We continued to focus on our strategies to increase sales by offering innovative products featuring first-to-market technologies, and to improve profitability through a continued emphasis on operational excellence and a lower cost structure.”

Among the highlights of Arctic Cat’s 2012 first quarter financial results versus the same quarter last year:
– Net sales grew 18 percent;
– Gross margins increased 210 basis points;
– Operating expenses as a percent of sales declined to 24 percent compared to 28 percent in the prior-year quarter;
– Factory inventory fell 2 percent;
– Total cash and short-term investments at quarter end rose to $99.3 million, up from $58.6 million; and
– The company had no short- or long-term debt.

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) sales rose 36 percent to $37.9 million in the first quarter versus $27.8 million in the same period last year. Contributing to ATV sales in the quarter were increased sales of Arctic Cat’s Prowler side-by-side utility vehicles and international ATV sales. Arctic Cat continued its strategy to match wholesale sales with actual retail demand, while introducing new models and features in the ATV segments with the greatest consumer demand.

In the first quarter, Arctic Cat unveiled a partial lineup of its 2012 ATVs and side-by-sides. New models include the MudPro 700i LTD, with electronic power steering, and the Prowler 700i HDX, which received a sporty, new round tube surround frame for 2012. The three-passenger Prowler HDX is designed to be a heavy-duty utility workhorse. Its versatile rear cargo box hauls up to 1,000 lbs. and offers removable sides to create a convenient flatbed. In addition, power steering and an extra long wheelbase give it a smooth, comfortable ride. Arctic Cat also added enhanced features throughout its extensive ATV and side-by-side Prowler line-up.

“Sales of our ATVs outperformed the industry in the first quarter and we gained market share,” said Jordan. “We are excited to launch our first entry into the growing sport side-by-side market with our Wildcat model, and we remain on track to ship this off-road vehicle to dealers in fiscal 2012. Looking ahead, we expect continued growth in fiscal 2012 in our ATV segment, due to the competitive strength of our core ATV and Prowler offerings, and the growth potential for the Wildcat sport side-by-side model.”

On July 27, 2011, Arctic Cat unveiled the all-new Wildcat V-Twin 1000i H.O. as the most potent pure-sport recreational off-road vehicle (ROV) ever built. With 17 inches of suspension travel, 13 inches of ground clearance, a full-perimeter frame and the largest displacement engine in its class, the Wildcat is a full-production version of what was previously reserved for off-road race vehicles. In addition to industry-leading suspension travel, standard features on the Wildcat include power steering, and front and rear LED lights.

“The Wildcat has no equal–period,” said Jordan. “Our customers asked for a high-performance side-by-side and we happily responded with a no-compromise, pure-sport hot rod that redefines what’s possible with a production off-road vehicle.”

Snowmobile sales rose 2 percent to $17.4 million in the first quarter compared to $17.1 million in the prior-year quarter. Arctic Cat unveiled an extensive new 2012 model line-up in March, with 23 all-new snowmobiles representing 75 percent of the current offerings. The company anticipates that the breadth of its new models and innovative technologies will have a positive impact on fiscal 2012 snowmobile sales.

Sales of parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) in the first quarter grew 7 percent to $19.7 million versus $18.5 million in the prior-year quarter. During the quarter, Arctic Cat launched a PG&A e-commerce website for the U.S. market, giving consumers a convenient online shopping option for the full range of Arctic Cat PG&A products. Arctic Cat continues to expand its new accessories and garment offerings.

“We are off to an excellent start in fiscal 2012 and are optimistic about the year ahead, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arctic Cat brand,” Jordan said. “Based on the higher than anticipated sales and earnings in the first quarter, we are raising our outlook for fiscal 2012. The company is well-positioned for future sales growth across our product lines. We expect significantly higher snowmobile sales, due to our new model line-up. In addition, we are excited about the upcoming launch of our Wildcat sport side-by-side model, coupled with the strength of our core ATV and Prowler offerings. Further, we remain focused on enhancing profitability by continuing to leverage the company’s operational efficiencies.”

The company’s fiscal 2012 outlook includes the following assumptions versus the prior fiscal year: ATV industry retail sales declining approximately 10 to 15 percent; snowmobile industry retail sales up approximately 5 to 10 percent; Arctic Cat dealer inventories decreasing 10 to 20 percent; achieving flat to slightly down operating expense levels as a percent of sales; increasing cash flow from operations; and ending the year with more cash on the balance sheet. At this time, the company expects gross margins to improve between 20 to 60 basis points in fiscal 2012, although commodity costs will remain a challenge for the foreseeable future.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, Arctic Cat now anticipates sales in the range of $520 million to $530 million, an increase of 12 percent to 14 percent versus fiscal 2011. The company estimates that fiscal 2012 earnings will increase 34 percent to 43 percent and be in the range of $0.94 to $1.00 per diluted share. Previously, the company expected sales in the range of $488 million to $502 million for fiscal 2012 and earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.75 to $0.82 per diluted share.

“We are confident that our strategies will enable Arctic Cat to deliver improved shareholder value again this fiscal year,” said Jordan.

BY DENISE MARTIN

When the Hay Days Swap Meet and Grass Drag Races take place in September, there will not be a repeat of last fall’s fiasco. Part of the learning curve, since Hay Days first opened at its new site near Almelund, MInnesota last fall, involved Chisago County officials reviewing circumstances that created issues hampering the 2010 festivities.

Sno Barons Snowmobile Club members have met with county officials and progress is being made, according to the county zoning and environmental services director.

Last fall severe road congestion and other issues marred the first day of the event. What’s transpired since then, Mary Darragh Schmitz, Zoning Administrator said, is that the club is revising its vendor registration rules, and clamping down on site access policies. A major glitch during the 2010 Hay Days operations was the last minute influx of swappers and vendors the event organizers hadn’t planned on accommodating. For 2011 on-line, pre event registration will be strictly enforced.

The Sno Barons will develop a restricted “chute” style access to the swap meet area that will come off the west side of the site. This swapper road will control vehicles so they aren’t in public parking towards the main entrance to the east side, Schmitz said.

The snowmobile club is also to increasing available parking by 6,000 spaces. The club leases property to the west of the event site, and Schmitz said the club will provide for parking on those two 40-acre parcels.

Club members are also working with surrounding property owners utilizing a new lower-cost, administrative permit process the County Board has adopted. The zoning department also took applications from anyone who plans to park vehicles for a fee, during this fall’s Hay Days.

There will not be any parking along the shoulders of state Highway 95, and the club will be posting large no-parking signs all along the route. Signage was vastly inadequate last year.

The Sno Barons will also leverage social media and use the internet to update traffic conditions and best parking availability.

The club also will post much bigger directional signage.

On the roads and highways for miles surrounding the Almelund area; traffic movement was congested due to people leaving vehicles on shoulders and in intersections and pedstrians everywhere. Sno Barons reps meet with the county engineer and other officials and were asked to submit a follow-up “plan of action”. At that point, Schmitz explained, there will be a meeting with engineering/public works, law enforcement and MnDOT to bring all parties to the table for a final review.

Sno Barons has also agreed to pay for an additional police officer to assist with traffic control in North Branch.

The Hay Days site access was impacted when an entry driveway collapsed last year, and Sno Barons has agreed to station a truck and gravel on-site. If emergency repairs are required the club can respond immediately.

There is also concern in the zoning department about getting an accurate headcount for the two-day (plus Friday setup) event. The Sno Barons club is researching an electronic system that would keep better track of attendees and monitor exiting and entering populations. The county is working on “greatly improving” attendance count, Schmitz reports.

Chisago County Press

Keeping snowmobilers from speeding at night is being credited as a major factor in a decline in snowmobile fatalities for a sixth straight year in Wisconsin, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources.

Seventeen people were killed in snowmobile crashes during the 2010-2011 snowmobile season, down from 21 fatalities in the 2009-10 season.

The new permanent speed limit of 55 miles per hour for night snowmobiling, along with a greater effort to educate snowmobilers in safety, contributed to the decline in fatalities, the DNR said. “This was the first year for the permanent night time speed limit of 55 mph,” said DNR snowmobile administrator Gary Eddy. “The law proved to be effective in the past so that’s why we decided to make it permanent.”

The limit had been in place on a temporary basis since 2006 until it was enacted as a permanent law in May of 2010. According to DNR records, 23 people died in snowmobile crashes in Wisconsin in 2008-09, 25 in 2007-08, and 26 in 2006-07.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – Polaris Industries has announced the acquisition of Indian Motorcycle.  The business was acquired from Indian Motorcycle Limited (IML). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are excited to be part of the revitalization of a quintessentially American brand,” said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries Inc.  “Indian built America’s first motorcycle. With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.”

With this acquisition, Polaris adds one of motorcycling’s legendary brands to its strong stable of Victory cruiser and touring bikes.  Indian will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combination of Polaris’ engineering acumen and innovative technology with Indian’s premium brand, iconic design and rich American heritage.

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Polaris.  Polaris will utilize its well-known strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and distribution to complete the mission we undertook upon re-launching the brand in 2006:  harness the enormous potential of the Indian brand,” said Stephen Julius, chairman of Indian. “Polaris is the most logical owner of Indian Motorcycle.  Indian’s heritage brand will allow Polaris to aggressively compete across an expanded spectrum of the motorcycle market.”

MEDINA, Minnesota - Polaris Industries has announced it will keep some of its engine manufacturing operations in Osceola, WI. This news comes in response to stronger than projected growth for Polaris in recent months.

“Since we announced the strategic realignment last year, our volumes are up significantly in each of our businesses and our U.S. plants are full from a physical footprint standpoint,” said Scott Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries Inc.  “While we have outperformed our original volume projections, the Osceola team has executed flawlessly and continues to produce world-class, quality products.  In order to meet escalating demand while maintaining our focus on quality, keeping some engine capability and output in Osceola was an obvious choice.”

Keeping these manufacturing operations in Osceola allows Polaris dual-plant production capability for Off-Road Vehicle engines and provides production continuity for motorcycle and snowmobile engines.  The Company will utilize the capabilities and current infrastructure in Osceola to maintain continuity for the foreseeable future.

Polaris worked closely with the state of Wisconsin and the Department of Commerce to keep some engine manufacturing in Osceola and preserve approximately 50 assembly jobs at the facility.  Polaris’ current global employment base is approximately 3,300 people.

MINNEAPOLIS (April 25, 2011) — Polaris Industries Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM), a wholly owned Fargo, N.D. based subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC and manufacturer of premium electric-powered vehicles. GEM is the recognized leader within the low-speed vehicle market, with a well-respected brand and approximately $30 million in sales during the 2010 calendar year. Since the company was established in 1998, they have placed over 45,000 electric-powered vehicles on the road worldwide. GEM has developed business-to-business sales expertise within the fleet and government vehicle markets, and has created a competitive advantage with core competencies in make-to-order vehicle fulfillment and mobile service support.

From its seating for four to a variety of vehicle options, the GEM e4 is perfect for visiting family and friends or just recreational driving. In addition, the GEM e4 features a sunroof and six 12-volt flooded electrolyte batteries for a range of up to 30 miles on a charge. The GEM e2 two-passenger vehicle is ideal for those short trips you make every day. Its standard six 12-volt flooded electrolyte batteries provide a range of up to 35 miles on a charge and the many vehicle options offer you great versatility.

“GEM provides Polaris with an established position in the low-emission small vehicle market and supports Polaris’ strategy of penetrating on-road market segments poised for growth,” said Scott Wine, Polaris chief executive officer. “We are excited about the outlook for growth within this market space, and are looking forward to developing even stronger growth prospects for the GEM business.”

“Our vision is to accelerate profitable sales growth for GEM, by combining Polaris’ strength in new product innovation with the most-recognized brand in the low speed vehicle market space,” said Mike Jonikas, Vice President of the On-Road Vehicle Division. “These new product efforts for GEM will be supported by an expanded distribution presence within select domestic and international markets.”

The agreement to acquire GEM will officially close within the next 60 days once Polaris secures the required state sales certifications to sell GEM products. During this interim period, since Polaris will not yet have officially acquired GEM, operations will proceed as usual and Polaris will continue to learn and understand the GEM business through information exchange. Following this interim period, Polaris will be in a position to outline specific plans for the GEM business.

About Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM)

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, Chrysler Group Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM) is the market leader in the low-speed, Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) industry and has more than 45,000 GEM battery-electric vehicles on the road worldwide. GEM cars are used by local, state and national government agencies, resorts, master-planned communities, universities, medical and corporate campuses, as well as by sports teams, taxi-shuttle services and individual consumers.

The six GEM passenger and utility models are legal on most streets with posted speeds of 35 mph or less and have many of the same features of regular cars, but are much more economical in price and fuel consumption. GEM cars are eligible for incentives and tax credits from clean-air districts and other governmental agencies.

To date, GEM cars have driven more than 450 million emission-free miles and have saved more than 20 million gallons of gasoline. They also have prevented more than 190 tons of pollutants from reaching the air.