Why don't we throw into the mix as well the similar situation happening clear across the board in the entire industry?? I will never understand all the doom and gloom always about the Arctic Cat brand. If we look back when Textron took over the chatter on this sight was exactly the same... doom and gloom, writing is on the wall, the beginning of the end and that was how many years ago? then in the last 2 years we see some of the most innovation in the snowmobile industry in years and from a brand that the "Writing was on the wall from" or the "beginning of the end" and if any of you don't think Polaris or Doo aren't feeling the same pain, I suggest you do a little research, both of them are also severely struggling in the power sports business as a whole and attempting to sell off product lines to protect themselves, some of which are long established brand names.
I know all of the Cat haters will disagree here, but I see it as a smart business move which has probably been set in motion since the end of last winter. In early spring I had called to check on ordering a new Catalyst (I wont name the dealer) The preseason order was over and I was told back then that if I didn't order one I likely would not get one, so this decision had already been in the books.
I ended up buying a Catalyst (again I wont mention the dealer) but when I picked it up I could not believe the inventory sitting in the lot of another certain brand, some of which were 2023 models, I am in business and I would be pooping bricks if I saw that sitting on my lot with manufacturers demanding more, more, more. As a business owner who also depends on snow for my business I see this move as smart, not only to protect the brand, but to protect themselves and the dealer network and it is a very smart move on their part. With the innovation we have seen from them recently I don't see this effort coming from a brand name that "its the beginning of the end" or the " writing is on the wall " It would be a detrimental loss to the industry as a whole if it was. Here at my shop we have seriously rethought how we approach and prepare for winter including retaining employees, we have drastically reduced winter equipment inventory and when its gone its gone, even if that's by the end of November and will not reorder anymore. Any business that is reliant on weather takes a big risk every time they prep for it. How many of you have any remote idea as to how "floor planning financing" works for these dealers?? I'm willing to bet very few and I am also willing to bet almost all of you wouldn't even consider taking the chance either once you did know. financing not only costs the dealer, it costs the manufacturer as well.
Lets not forget also the damage one terrible winter did to the industry either... ONE BAD WINTER. This should tell all the people who don't have the faintest idea how tight things are and how willing people and businesses are to take that risk, some manage it better than others and I personally and I am not saying this because I am a Arctic Cat fan, but more so as a business man that I see this as a smart move that has been put in place since the last season ended. Every one can say what they want but I guarantee you they are all in a very tough place having to make some very tough decisions. Some have other product lines they can fall back on, some have made very drastic cuts in employment and there is no talk of it. I will never understand the negativity about the Arctic Cat brand, but what I do know so far is all of you "the writing is on the wall" group have been very wrong since Textron took hold, and again we have seen some real innovation from a brand that the "writing is on the wall" for which I am willing to bet will force the others to have to come out with something new as well. Please my dee friends who read what I am about to say, don't take it personally but for all the negative and nay sayers out there.... give me a break! and if you dont think your favorite brand isn't also going through trials and tribulations right now, you are seriously oblivious! Lets hope for a good winter for the industry as a whole this year.
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