The end is near
- Thread starter indy_500
- Start date
seeing them go away would be a bad thing for the whole industry and I hope they are here to stay, minimizing the model line up isn't always a bad idea, IMO even in the business I am in the brand lines I represent it would not hurt my feelings if the product line up was slimmed down, makes selling easier, less confusing to the customer especially when a company offers multiple models with only minute differences between them, less whole goods and parts inventory and carry over. If true wonder if there will be anything offered up after spring orders for dealers inventory. All in all the less models offered not a bad thing but seeing them go away....one less brand in a already slim pickins brand offering...not a good thing, makes for less drive to improve the wheel. I hope they are here to stay.
ICT Sledder
Active member
Spring order only will be the biggest sales failure in the history of snowmobiling. We aren’t ordering bespoke Bugatti Veyrons with an 18 month lead time here; these are relatively cheap consumer goods. Instant gratification is a thing (pick out a sled today, buy it, and take it home), and Cat is removing that emotion from the buying process. That’s no bueno in a consumer good realm like sledding.
The base, or what was the LXR, version of all ZR’s is gone. Either get pounded to death by a Sno Pro, or buy a premium Limited for much more money. Like Ford coming out and saying we still have F150’s, but you can only buy a Platinum or a Raptor, oh and by the way you’ll need to pay us for them nine months before you’ll take delivery. Lol... yeah, okay.
Textron really has no idea how to run a retail customer operation. Have always been a Cat guy, but moving over to a brand not ran like it’s a classroom full of ADHD seven year olds is probably my next move. I give up on Cat. Give me an Indy XC where I can choose from seven colors (or whatever), three track options, and I get LED headlights and a nice GPS gauge pod all for the same price as a bland, low spec ZR.
It’s clear Cat (and Yammy) sleds are in the death rattle stage of demise. WAY less sled options, only expensive and high profit margin spec offerings, and have to effectively give the manufacturer a nine month loan before you see the product. Don’t need to be able to read Latin to understand the writing on the wall here.
The base, or what was the LXR, version of all ZR’s is gone. Either get pounded to death by a Sno Pro, or buy a premium Limited for much more money. Like Ford coming out and saying we still have F150’s, but you can only buy a Platinum or a Raptor, oh and by the way you’ll need to pay us for them nine months before you’ll take delivery. Lol... yeah, okay.
Textron really has no idea how to run a retail customer operation. Have always been a Cat guy, but moving over to a brand not ran like it’s a classroom full of ADHD seven year olds is probably my next move. I give up on Cat. Give me an Indy XC where I can choose from seven colors (or whatever), three track options, and I get LED headlights and a nice GPS gauge pod all for the same price as a bland, low spec ZR.
It’s clear Cat (and Yammy) sleds are in the death rattle stage of demise. WAY less sled options, only expensive and high profit margin spec offerings, and have to effectively give the manufacturer a nine month loan before you see the product. Don’t need to be able to read Latin to understand the writing on the wall here.
yep the fat lady can sing !!
itll be slim pickings for 2020 models at dealers but youll see they will still find a way to have a couple "on hand" - unfortunately your going to pay a premium for it... like buying a freeride mid season that someone "cancelled" the order on.
Dealers can put in orders as they want for 2020 models... but they are taking the risk of how long it will take to move them and will have to fork up the money right away... if i was a dealer id be pretty upset.
Dealers can put in orders as they want for 2020 models... but they are taking the risk of how long it will take to move them and will have to fork up the money right away... if i was a dealer id be pretty upset.
AC has for some time now, had way too many versions of the same dang models. It's killing them. I don't think this is the end for AC, however it doesn't look good at this point. They need to regroup, and get back on keel. Textron is not putting the money into the AC product brand to dump snowmobiles this quickly. The worst part of this happening is the fact that all the "old solid loyal" AC company guys are gone. I'm talking Rodger Skime, K. Hibbert, and guy's like them, that made Cat a survivor for many tough times before. AC has probably the most loyal customer base in the business, however it's aging fast.
It's called a floor plan....and yes, dealer does have to pay interest on the money, but it's not his money he's ordering with.
sweeperguy
Active member
Same thing crossed my mind. BUT a young guy looking at getting married doesn't see it that way. They got all these dreams of happiness and bliss. Takes a minute for reality to set in.
Like Meatloaf sings.
Praying for the end of time. So I can end my time with you!
eagle1
Well-known member
Bahahaha..........chicken dinner for everyone!!
don't know about snowmobile industry but in mine floor plan interest is around 20% and even on a good day lucky if that's your margin, carry over can kill a dealership especially when a manufacturer is not willing to redate inventory or they come out with something new that makes your inventory obsolete. You are correct when ordering you are spending someone elses money but.... when you don't or cant sell it no matter the circumstance it is your money that is lost and in more times than not there is no forgiveness or help from the manufacturer or floor plan company.
Nothing yet, maybe they are out?
Look at all the experts...lmao...I guess we'll see...I think it's a smart move by cat...even though its unpopular (it was a smart move by yamaha last year)...did you notice the ski doo line up?
Nothing earth shattering there either...new utility sleds, accessories, and a few improvements on the mountain sleds (and most of the focus at their unveil was the mountain segment)...it was almost like the trail sleds were an after thought...I doubt polaris does anything earth shattering this year either.
Nothing earth shattering there either...new utility sleds, accessories, and a few improvements on the mountain sleds (and most of the focus at their unveil was the mountain segment)...it was almost like the trail sleds were an after thought...I doubt polaris does anything earth shattering this year either.