Polaris Sportsman 700 Twin Named ``ATV of the Year''

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    MINNEAPOLIS--Jan. 18, 2002--Ehlert Publishing Group, publisher of magazines for the recreational products industry, is recognizing a U.S.-made all-terrain vehicle as the most innovative ATV of the 2002 models in ATV Magazine, the largest circulation ATV magazine in the U.S. The Sportsman 700 Twin, built by Medina-based Polaris, is the most powerful, smoothest riding ATV on the market, and is positioned as a leading product in the future financial growth of Polaris' $900 million ATV business.
    The award was made public on January 15 with the mailing of Ehlert's March 2002 issue of ATV Magazine.
    "The Sportsman 700 Twin is representative of our aggressive plans for the future," said Tom Tiller, president and CEO of Polaris. "We're proud to have Ehlert, one of the most credible sources in the industry, recognize it for its power, excellent handling and overall quality. We expect the Sportsman 700 Twin, along with the innovative products in each of our product lines, will drive our future growth."
    While Polaris Industries is best known as the world's largest snowmobile manufacturer, nearly 60 percent of Polaris sales are generated from ATVs. Used for farming, ranching, hunting, and recreation, these machines are ideal for towing, plowing, landscaping, and other chores. More than two-thirds of Polaris ATV customers use them for utility purposes in addition to recreation.
    Polaris entered the ATV market with the first-ever automatic ATV in 1985, and has produced more than 1 million automatic ATVs -- six times more than all competitors combined. Polaris has repeatedly set the benchmark for powerful ATVs, and has solidified its leadership position with the Sportsman 700 Twin, the powerhouse of the Polaris Sportsman family, the best-selling line of automatic ATVs in the world.

    A New Standard For Power

    Developed and manufactured in America, the Sportsman 700 Twin has 20 percent more power and 25 percent more torque than the previous top Polaris ATV model, the Sportsman 500 H.O. The Sportsman 700 Twin's 683cc, parallel twin cylinder engine is the largest and most powerful on the market, as well as being the first ATV engine designed, tested, and built in the U.S.
    With an industry-leading 1,500 lbs. towing capacity, the Sportsman 700 Twin out-muscles its competitors by towing, hauling and dragging bigger loads over the roughest terrain -- including hills, woods, wetlands, and mud. In addition, the Sportsman 700 Twin is capable of handling a combined rack load of 290 lbs.
    This muscle machine's strength is not its only impressive feature for outdoor enthusiasts. Independent long travel rear suspension, high ground clearance, and a tight turning radius make the Sportsman 700 Twin the smoothest riding ATV on the market.
    Polaris also created a special Web site for the launch of the all-new Sportsman 700 Twin. The site, with full details and photography, is www.polarisindustries.com/sportsman700twin.

    High-Margin Accessories

    Plows, camouflage covers, cargo boxes, and winches create incremental Sportsman 700 Twin sales for Polaris and its dealers. As part of the company's growth strategy, Polaris plans to double its parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) business, sold under the brand name Pure Polaris.
    With the highest margins of any Polaris product, Pure Polaris represents a significant growth opportunity. Polaris has added more than 1,700 new PG&A products as part of that strategy, and recently added the Internet, www.purepolaris.com, as a new distribution channel for apparel and accessories.

    About Polaris

    Information about the complete line of Polaris products is available from authorized Polaris dealers or from the Polaris home page at www.polarisindustries.com.
    Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), personal watercraft, Victory motorcycles, and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use with annual 2000 sales of $1,425.7 million. Polaris is the largest snowmobile manufacturer in the world, and one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of ATVs and personal watercraft. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories, and parts available at Polaris dealerships. Consumers can also purchase apparel and vehicle accessories around the clock online at www.polarisindustries.com.
    The Polaris Professional Series, a line of heavy-duty workmobiles targeted at lawn and landscape companies, equipment rental companies and construction operations, marks Polaris' expansion into the commercial equipment marketplace.
    Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and the company is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 stock price index.