Feb. 9, 2009 – ATV Digest
Yamaha reaches milestone supporting Ducks Unlimited
Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., has reached a significant milestone supporting hunting and wetland conservation through a long-standing relationship with Ducks Unlimited.
As an official licensee of Ducks Unlimited since 2004, Yamaha Outdoors has contributed more than $1 million in support of Ducks Unlimited’s wetland conservation efforts.
“Yamaha is more involved in the outdoors industry than any other ATV manufacturer, and that’s because of our commitment to the people who use our products,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/side-by-side group marketing manager. “We’re proud of our long-standing relationships with important organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This $1 million mark with Ducks Unlimited is symbolic of Yamaha’s commitment to outdoorsmen, habitat preservation and to keeping lands safe and open for hunting and recreation.”
Yamaha has supported Ducks Unlimited on a number of levels during the past five years, including cash and product contributions. Additionally, Yamaha offers special edition Ducks Unlimited models that include the top-selling Grizzly 700 FI ATV and Rhino 700 FI SxS vehicle. For every Ducks Unlimited-edition Yamaha vehicle sells, a portion of the sale is contributed to Ducks Unlimited for conservation efforts.
“Our partnership with Yamaha is truly a model program and one of the most integrated partnerships that Ducks Unlimited has,” said Jim Alexander, Ducks Unlimited’s director of licensing. “Yamaha’s support of Ducks Unlimited stretches from local grassroots events to the retailing of Ducks Unlimited special edition Grizzlies and Rhinos.”
Electric UTV maker partners with engineering agency
Bad Boy Enterprises, makers of an electric UTV, announced a development partnership with G-Force Consulting for future product designs.
G-Force Consulting, based out of Bemidji, Minn., is an ATV and UTV contract engineering and consulting agency.
Bad Boy’s investment in product development includes the 2009 Bad Boy XT, an electric UTV with IMS suspension that is being shown at Dealer Expo.
Gary Gustafson, president of G-Force Consulting, said : “Bad Boy pioneered off-road electric vehicles, and we look forward to leveraging our engineering experience and market insight at G-Force to help Bad Boy maintain their leadership position in this growing class of UTVs.”
The 2009 Bad Boy Buggy XT includes G-Force Consulting-designed IMS front and rear suspension and hydraulic disk brakes on all four wheels. It also features a redesigned chassis and battery layout for optimal steering, dynamics and traction and a re-designed electrical system with IP67 sealing and an automotive-style accelerator pedal.
Sport terrain vehicle OEM hires vice president of sales
Redline Performance Products, a manufacturer of sport terrain vehicles, announced the hiring of its vice president of sales and marketing, Michael Killian.
Killian, formerly vice president of sales for Klim USA, joins the Perham, Minn.-based company that produces vehicles with 72hp Weber engines, long-travel suspension and high-end components.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Redline,” Killian said in a press release. “I was drawn to the company because they are focused on listening to and working with dealers to increase dealership profitability.”
Killian is a former regional sales manager for Arctic Cat where he worked with dealerships.
BRP supporting more than 30 racers in 2009
BRP is setting lofty goals for its Can-Am ATV racers and teams for this season.
Last season, Can-Am racers took home championships in the WORCS, CMRC Canadian Nationals and the GNCC series. In all, racers claimed five championships across North America.
“Our goal when racing any product line at BRP is to win races and championships,” Del Bohlman, racing manager for Can-Am ATVs, said in a press release. “Our ATV racers and partner teams gave us our most successful ATV racing season last year and we are really looking forward to this season when we will continue where we left off. Our race teams are working hard right now to build upon the successes of this past season.”
Like last season, Can-Am will field several teams out of four full-out racing semis. In all, there will be more than 30 Can-Am factory-sponsored racers in the WORCS, ITP Quadcross, CMRC, AMA ATV National Motocross Championship, Rock Maple Racing, Championship Mud Racing and GNCC series. psB
