Arctic Cat Announces Engine and Co-Brand Agreements with Yamaha Motor Corporation
Combining Arctic Cat’s snowmobile chassis and suspension with the leading 4-stroke engines lead to an exciting future
February 20, 2013
Plymouth, MN – Arctic Cat Inc. has entered into an Engine Supply Agreement with Yamaha Motor Corporation to expand its purchase of snowmobile engines starting in the 2014 model year. Arctic Cat initially entered into an agreement to purchase the Yamaha 123cc 4-stroke engines for their youth snowmobile in 2009. This agreement has now been expanded to include select 4-stroke engines from Yamaha.
Arctic Cat’s Snow Division VP/GM, Brad Darling said, “The engine purchasing agreement with Yamaha, combined with the engines we plan to manufacture in house, will provide our consumers with the most well-rounded engine choices when it comes to technology, reliability and horsepower.”
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Claude Jordan, stated, “Our current Arctic Cat snowmobile chassis is renowned for its lightweight, bump control and precision handling. Combine that with our performance engine options from Yamaha, as well as our state-of-the-art engine manufacturing facility in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and we guarantee there will be exciting years ahead for Arctic Cat enthusiasts.”
In addition to expanding the engine supply agreement with Yamaha, Arctic Cat has also entered into an agreement to build select Yamaha snowmobiles in their Thief River Falls, MN factory per Yamaha’s specifications. This agreement started in 2012 with Arctic Cat building the Yamaha SRX 120 youth model snowmobile and will now be expanded to include full size performance snowmobiles starting with model year 2014. These snowmobiles will be built to Yamaha specifications using Yamaha 4-stroke engines.
Regarding Yamaha, Jordan goes on to say, “We are very excited how this relationship continues to grow and the opportunities that lie ahead for both companies. Going forward we believe this relationship will provide tremendous value to Arctic Cat, our customers, our dealers and our shareholders.”