Polaris Revs Up for a Big 2001 With New Product Introductions
4 October 2000
Polaris Revs Up for a Big 2001 With New Product Introductions
MINNEAPOLIS--Oct. 3, 2000--The desert sun has set on Polaris' largest, most successful dealer meeting in Reno, Nev., where the new 2001 Polaris four-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Polaris RANGERs, personal watercraft and 375 new apparel and accessory products were unveiled to 2,500 attendees from across North America. Polaris also launched a partnership with Dodge and a new e-commerce Web site. NASCAR stars Ward Burton and Richard Petty were on hand for the presentation, highlighting Polaris' increased involvement with auto racing.
"We are thrilled that so many of our dealers were present to share the excitement of Polaris' new 2001 models," said Tom Tiller, CEO of Polaris Industries. "We look forward to sharing an exciting year with our dealers and customers."
New ATVs for Youth and Adults Alike
Responding to research that shows families are spending more time together outdoors, Polaris unveiled three ATVs designed for younger riders, along with two major upgrades to its best-selling adult ATVs. For 6- to 11-year-old fun seekers, the new Scrambler 50 is an exact replica of its full-sized Scrambler counterpart. Polaris also gives older siblings an ATV just their size. Two models, the Scrambler 90 and the Sportsman 90, are designed for riders ages 12 to 15 years old.
In addition to offering new cargo bags and covers to accompany the youth models, Polaris is introducing a youth-sized assortment of Sportsman and Scrambler apparel for family riding, as well as the new Mountaineer System Jacket. With each purchase of a youth ATV, Polaris is providing a complimentary helmet to promote ATV safety. Polaris offers a complete line of helmets ranging in price from $47-$200.
For adults, Polaris took world's best-selling automatic ATV, the Sportsman 500, and added 20 percent more power with the addition of the Sportsman 500 H.O. (High Output). The new Sportsman 500 H.O. is the most powerful ATV in its class. The new Sportsman 400, also unveiled at the dealer show, has all the features of the Sportsman series that make it ideal for hunting, heavy work and trail riding.
ATVs are the fastest growing segment of the recreational/utility vehicles market, with a sales increase of 26 percent last year. As the second-largest manufacturer of ATVs in the world, nearly 60 percent of Polaris' revenue is generated by this product line.
New products include the new multi-mount system, which allows consumers to move accessories from the front to the rear of the ATV. Also new for 2001 is the Sportsman plow system and diamond plated cargo boxes. Polaris has added new ATV parts, apparel and accessories for 2001 to enhance the riding experience. New apparel items include the Hunt Club Jacket, the Sportsman rugged jacket and pant, the Scrambler jersey and pant, and a year-round Mountaineer system jacket.
New Polaris RANGERs Create Dealer Excitement
Growing with the expansion of the utility segment, Polaris diversified its powerhouse RANGER line with the introduction of its new four-wheeled RANGER 4x4 and RANGER 2x4. The new models are competitively priced, lower than the original 6x6 RANGER. Highlights of the new RANGERs include a rust free molded cargo box, bench seating for three, and better ergonomics and serviceability. The use of a lockable differential, which allows the new models to be used on turf, opens up markets new to the RANGER line, including use on golf courses. The new RANGERs will be available in the spring of 2001.
2001 Polaris Watercraft Create a Splash
Polaris gives enthusiasts eight new reasons to hit the water in 2001 with the launch of its new models, including the new Genesis i and the Virage TXi with FICHT(TM) RAM Injection (FRI), which reduces emissions by nearly 80 percent.
These two models, in addition to the Genesis, feature the Polaris-exclusive PLANET(TM) (Polaris Low Acoustic Noise Exhaust Technology) system, which reduces sound by 60 percent. The Genesis i and the Virage TXi both meet EPA emission standards for 2006. Other new 2001 models include the mid-size Virage, the runabout-size SLX, SLH, and the racing models PRO 1200 and PRO 785.
New personal watercraft apparel includes a variety of wetsuits, personal floatation devices and beachwear to complete the enthusiast's riding experience. New accessories include the Genesis Ski pylon, a lightweight aluminum pylon to keep the towrope out of the water and provide better air for wakeboarders. The cargo rack is also new for the Genesis, which holds a 48-quart cooler.
Polaris Connects to Customers with E-commerce Launch
From snowmobile jackets to wet suits, purepolaris.com can outfit outdoor enthusiasts for snow or sun around the clock, seven days a week. Polaris is gearing up for its mid-October launch of purepolaris (http://www.purepolaris.com), an e-commerce site developed, managed, and hosted by Digital River, Inc., the world's largest e-commerce service provider. Purepolaris is a place where consumers can begin their riding experience online with Polaris' entire line of apparel and vehicle accessories.
"Entering the e-commerce business will allow Polaris and our dealers to provide the best convenience and information in the power sports industry for the ultimate riding experience," said Tiller. "The around-the-clock availability and full Polaris product line offered through purepolaris will give enthusiasts more buying options than ever before."
Consumers can conveniently purchase Polaris clothing, footwear, outerwear, gifts and collectables, machine accessories and performance-enhancing products right on the Web site. For consumers who prefer to touch and feel the merchandise, purepolaris will serve as a valuable source of information for those wanting to research the items before walking into their dealership.
"With purepolaris.com, we are looking to reach new types of consumers and help our dealers be more profitable," said Tiller. "This new distribution channel gives us the opportunity to build relationships with new consumers while driving incremental sales for dealers."
When purchasing merchandise from purepolaris.com, consumers will be asked to identify their local Polaris or Victory dealer. As a result, dealers will receive commissions on each sale from the purepolaris.com website.
Dodge and Polaris Map a New Course Together
Before any new products were unveiled, Dodge and Polaris executives put their heads and horsepower together and announced a first-of-its-kind partnership.
The deal encompasses co-promotions and shared vehicle placement in advertising, dealerships and special events. Dodge is one of the world's best-known car and truck brands and Polaris is one of the world's largest recreational vehicle companies in an industry whose customers are fiercely brand loyal.
Dealer Awarded $10,000 Prize
Paul Heinen, Owner of the Polaris dealership Heinen & Mason, in Osseo, Minnesota, experienced even more excitement than the average convention attendee when he was awarded a $10,000 prize by Polaris for winning an ATV trivia contest. The contest, one facet of the Polaris ATV division's Millionth Automatic $1Million Giveaway, pitted 6 dealers against each other in a game show-style trivia contest as an incentive for exceeding dealership ATV sales goals since the beginning of the promotion in March of this year. The Millionth Automatic $1 Million Giveaway is a yearlong promotion that celebrates the manufacture of Polaris' 1 millionth ATV with an automatic transmission, which will happen sometime in the year 2000. At the culmination of the promotion in the spring of 2001, one dealer and one ATV consumer will each be awarded $1 million dollars.