Arctic Cat layoffs etc.

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attakman

Well-known member
I know cat fans are excited...and Cat has generated the most interest lately with their new models...and that's great for us sledders..However..Textron could give two poops about snowmobiles...they are an off road company, and mainly purchased arctic cat for their utv/atv tech....that push to come out with the catalyst, was the dealers, and the cat loyalists....they had to do something....I'm telling you if the catalyst fails, or we have another bad winter...arctic cat snowmobiles will be the first to go...they've been hanging by a thread for a long time. I mean what is cat's market share right now? anybody know?....I'm sure it's up with the catalyst 858...it's generated a ton of interest, which is good for the industry....I'm just wondering if Cat can sustain growth...in order to do so...they need more new models (4 strokes??)...more yami power??..it will be interesting to see what they do.
 
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attakman

Well-known member
mezz said:
Textron fell in the dirt side in 2018. They did make a good product in their side by sides, then, discontinued mfg them due to cost issue. Now, you can't get any parts for many side by sides rendering them useless. I had a 2017 Bad Bad Boy Stampede with all the goodies you could put on it & now you literally can't get anything for it parts wise, same with many of the AC sxs models.
Arctic Cat has always been in my blood from sleds to side by sides. I have now turned to Kawasaki for a new side by side. I'm done with Textron. I believe that the AC snow division is strong & continually improving & will continue to be a viable product. I believe they have some of the best R&D in the business. Unfortunately, Textron's failures have led to the layoffs in order for them to keep the lights on. Piss poor management caused this, a different parent company is in order.
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KAwi makes a very good cab model, in the Ridge....they are impressive for a first year build, and much cheaper than a Polaris or a Can am (by almost $5,000 depending which model you buy).....now if KAwi could come up with some better accessories, and options for customer's they'd really have something.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
attakman said:
KAwi makes a very good cab model, in the Ridge....they are impressive for a first year build, and much cheaper than a Polaris or a Can am (by almost $5,000 depending which model you buy).....now if KAwi could come up with some better accessories, and options for customer's they'd really have something.
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I picked up the Ridge Limited, very impressive SxS. The inline 4 cyl engine is sweet & quiet! Comparably speaking, the Polaris with like features is over 45g. Kawasaki has been around for many years & I don't see them flailing like Textron has done with the ATV UTV market. I had over $22,000 invested in the Textron Stampede & to find that you can no longer get parts is a real punch in the stomach. I will never rely on Textron again. I hope the snowmobile division can carry on without the misguided leadership of Textron as Arctic Cat has been a strong brand for so many years. Even though I don't ride anymore, I will always be fond of Arctic Cat. All of the sleds I've owned have never let me down in my 34 years of riding.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
euphoric1 said:
I agree and will be equally as hard on the dealers, margins aren't always as great as people think or assume they are. Then you think about the dealer that may be sitting with a lot of inventory, whether it be machines, clothing or accessories, and the "better mousetrap" comes out, something all new, something better, a major improvement over the year prior. All of a sudden that makes your inventory obsolete, then what? Deals are great but detrimental to the selling dealer, its very unfortunate and a lose..lose situation for the dealers, manufacturers and distributors alike and as stated will take more that one good winter to right the ship.
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This has been going on for years it’s the risk you take selling snowmobiles. I’m sure the market will correct over time might do what Yamaha did spring order or you don’t get the new sled built. I bought non currents for years and years just the best deal for me and the dealer sold from his inventory. No other way this condition will have to play out in time as it has in the past.
 
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old abe

Well-known member
attakman said:
I know cat fans are excited...and Cat has generated the most interest lately with their new models...and that's great for us sledders..However..Textron could give two poops about snowmobiles...they are an off road company, and mainly purchased arctic cat for their utv/atv tech....that push to come out with the catalyst, was the dealers, and the cat loyalists....they had to do something....I'm telling you if the catalyst fails, or we have another bad winter...arctic cat snowmobiles will be the first to go...they've been hanging by a thread for a long time. I mean what is cat's market share right now? anybody know?....I'm sure it's up with the catalyst 858...it's generated a ton of interest, which is good for the industry....I'm just wondering if Cat can sustain growth...in order to do so...they need more new models (4 strokes??)...more yami power??..it will be interesting to see what they do.
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Yep attakman, Cats history of development, and innovation is very rich, however their Financial Management has been near total disaster for the life of Cat. Sad, and sucks.
 
SHOOT2KILL

SHOOT2KILL

Active member
goofy600 said:
At another dealer yesterday, probably has close to 100 sleds sitting in crates and mostly 24 models, didn’t even ask any prices, because I really don’t want to know.
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M & M Lawn Leisure has 2 snowmobile dealerships in Mn...Currently in their new sled inventory they have 486 brand new 2023/24/25 Polaris sleds available...
 
A

attakman

Well-known member
mezz said:
I picked up the Ridge Limited, very impressive SxS. The inline 4 cyl engine is sweet & quiet! Comparably speaking, the Polaris with like features is over 45g. Kawasaki has been around for many years & I don't see them flailing like Textron has done with the ATV UTV market. I had over $22,000 invested in the Textron Stampede & to find that you can no longer get parts is a real punch in the stomach. I will never rely on Textron again. I hope the snowmobile division can carry on without the misguided leadership of Textron as Arctic Cat has been a strong brand for so many years. Even though I don't ride anymore, I will always be fond of Arctic Cat. All of the sleds I've owned have never let me down in my 34 years of riding.
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Quiet?? Nice...I was wondering how they compared...haven't ridden in one yet...noise and vibration..are a huge deal for some of us.. Certain Polaris models seem very loud compared to the Defender, and I noticed Kawi has quite a bit more horsepower than either one, even with their base model (not the 116 hp XR)
 
favoritos

favoritos

Well-known member
Hoosier said:
Not sure how they have a 22. Cat has not held much inventory
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Most of those are corp pullbacks from other dealers. They bought those with about 40% discount. There is a limited number of those sleds available. If you go for one, check on warranty.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
attakman said:
Quiet?? Nice...I was wondering how they compared...haven't ridden in one yet...noise and vibration..are a huge deal for some of us.. Certain Polaris models seem very loud compared to the Defender, and I noticed Kawi has quite a bit more horsepower than either one, even with their base model (not the 116 hp XR)
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Yes, quiet outside & more importantly inside. You can actually carry on a conversation without yelling. It is a HUGE improvement over the last 3 SxS that I have owned. The Ridge Limited inline 4 cyl has 92 hp which is more than enough, at least for me. I have had it up to 67 mph on one of our local country gravel roads, thats plenty. The HVAC system is great, another big plus no dust in the cab. Power windows, Garmin GPS with sound system & sound bar, I am looking forward to moving snow with it this winter. No more Textron / Cat SxS for me.
 
LoveMyDobe

LoveMyDobe

Active member
SHOOT2KILL said:
M & M Lawn Leisure has 2 snowmobile dealerships in Mn...Currently in their new sled inventory they have 486 brand new 2023/24/25 Polaris sleds available...
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I stopped at their dealer north of Rochester this summer and they had hundreds of new side by sides also. They didn't want to take my 2019 General on trade unless they had a buyer for it...............
 
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jr37

Well-known member
I've had a 2015 SkiDoo 600 Sport for sale for a few months. Knowing full well the market is crap right now, I expected to have it a year from now yet. I was able to sell it yesterday for what I wanted for it. I'm very thankful that a few are still looking to buy used.
 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
SHOOT2KILL said:
M & M Lawn Leisure has 2 snowmobile dealerships in Mn...Currently in their new sled inventory they have 486 brand new 2023/24/25 Polaris sleds available...
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going to take more than one good season to fix this mess, there is a bunch of variables here, economy, weather, price of new ones and new participation into the sport. Lets hope at least for some good snow this year, also hope for a turn around on the economy, financing killing dealers and buyers alike and try to encourage and promote the sport to newbies!!
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
That's not going to happen. I get it, wishful thinking, but in reality, anything beyond 4 days is a crapshoot. Besides, ideally, we need the ground to set up first, then let er rip tater chip.
 
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