Polaris: At-A-Glance: ATV

Polaris entered the ATV market in 1985 and we now hold a strong number two market share position worldwide. We offer more models than any other manufacturer in numerous segments, including recreation, utility and the sportsman segment, which we dominate.
PRIMARY COMPETITORS:

Arctic Cat
Honda
Kawasaki
Suzuki
Yamaha

1998 OVERVIEW

ATV sales grew 42 percent in 1998 to $674 million, making ATVs our largest product line representing 57 percent of total Polaris sales. We picked up market share in an expanding industry that had total worldwide retail sales of 520,000 units in 1998, up 19 percent from 1997. Orders for our Sportsman 500 Remington™ Special Edition greatly exceeded expectations and gave us added visibility in the southeastern United States where the Polaris brand is not as well known.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR:

Introduced the Sportsman 335, a smaller version of our best-selling Sportsman 500.
Introduced the industry’s first diesel-powered ATV.
Introduced the 6-wheel-drive, side-by-side Polaris RANGER, the only specialty work vehicle with true off-road mobility.
Became a sponsor of NASCAR racing.

OUTLOOK

The ATV market clearly has room for additional growth. The industry should continue to see double-digit annual growth rates for the next few years, and Polaris expects to gain additional market share with aggressive new products in 1999. In February 1999 Polaris introduced the most significant model produced in years, our Xpedition 425, a standard transmission model, that will allow us to tap into the largest ATV market segment. Standard transmissions account for approximately 70 percent of the market.

Forward-looking statements made herein contain certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

© 1999 Polaris Industries Inc.





		Polaris entered the ATV market in 1985 and we now hold a strong number two market share position worldwide. We offer more models than any other manufacturer in numerous segments, including recreation, utility and the sportsman segment, which we dominate. PRIMARY COMPETITORS: Arctic Cat Honda Kawasaki Suzuki Yamaha 1998 OVERVIEW ATV sales grew 42 percent in 1998 to $674 million, making ATVs our largest product line representing 57 percent of total Polaris sales. We picked up market share in an expanding industry that had total worldwide retail sales of 520,000 units in 1998, up 19 percent from 1997. Orders for our Sportsman 500 Remington™ Special Edition greatly exceeded expectations and gave us added visibility in the southeastern United States where the Polaris brand is not as well known. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR: Introduced the Sportsman 335, a smaller version of our best-selling Sportsman 500. Introduced the industry’s first diesel-powered ATV. Introduced the 6-wheel-drive, side-by-side Polaris RANGER, the only specialty work vehicle with true off-road mobility. Became a sponsor of NASCAR racing. OUTLOOK The ATV market clearly has room for additional growth. The industry should continue to see double-digit annual growth rates for the next few years, and Polaris expects to gain additional market share with aggressive new products in 1999. In February 1999 Polaris introduced the most significant model produced in years, our Xpedition 425, a standard transmission model, that will allow us to tap into the largest ATV market segment. Standard transmissions account for approximately 70 percent of the market. Forward-looking statements made herein contain certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

			© 1999 Polaris Industries Inc.
			© 1999 Polaris Industries Inc.