From the Motley Fool last month:
"Even with a slowing ATV market and vehicle recalls due to shoddy manufacturing practices almost too numerous to mention, Polaris still owns the off-road vehicle market, with its Ranger, RZR, Sportsman, and General vehicles all holding a No. 1 market share position in their respective categories.
Sales were up 17% in the second quarter to $991 million, though most of that was driven by parts, garments, and accessories. Still, retail sales were up in the mid-single digit percent range as its side-by-sides and ATVs even more market share, Polaris expects the momentum it built up exiting the quarter to continue into the third, though it will face a difficult year-over-year comparison. Last year retail sales soared by mid-teen percentages."
After a brief look into this topic, it appears that they are very effective product developers and marketeers. Although their quality is suffering, from a business perspective they make up for it with push to market, promotion, and bling. Isn't their 168 hp "
Fear the Beast" RZR Turbo an example of that? The presence of that model in their lineup likely has a big effect on the overall brand and pushes sales of the other models. I am betting it sure helps the showroom salesperson push the excitement over to the rest of the lineup.
To own 41% of this market is a big deal and they appear to have a strategy that they are systematically executing to keep and/or grow it. In one of their annual reports I looked at, they talk to their strategy. Interestingly, they also reported a big program of attacking costs. Reduce manufacturing and other costs and you have the funding to allow for the big rebates and promotions.
For fun I am going to visit a dealer and take a look.