3/14/2011-ATV Digest

PowersportsBusinessMarch 14, 2011

Suzuki ATV plant reaches milestone
Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corp. recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
The Rome, Ga., plant was built in the United States in 2001 to demonstrate Suzuki’s commitment to its ATV business.
Initially the plant built the all-new 400cc Eiger and 500cc Vinson ATVs. Currently, it assembles the award-winning Kingquad line of ATVs for the North American and global markets.
“As we celebrate 10 years as a company, we reflect back on the last couple of years which have been very difficult due to the overall economic situation and its effect on the entire ATV industry,” Nobuyuki Yamane, president of Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corp., said in a press release. “We look forward to the future and a rebound in the ATV industry as we focus our Management Plan for FY2011 as we look ‘10 Years and Beyond’ as a company.”
The plant has recently increased production capacity and recalled some team members affected by previous work force reductions, the press release stated.
Polaris releases limited-edition ATVs, side-by-sides
Polaris Industries has introduced two limited-edition ATVs and 14 limited-edition side-by-sides for 2011.
All were scheduled to be available at dealerships in February.
The ATVs, one in Pearl White and the other in Midnight Black Metallic automotive-style paint, feature Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Active Descent Control (ADS), an Engine Braking System (EBS), a Lock & Ride front storage box, a 2,500-pound winch and 14-inch machined black cast aluminum wheels with Carlisle AT 489 II tires.
The Ranger side-by-sides have the following features:

XP 800s each have 12-inch Crusher rims with PXT tires. The paint schemes include Midnight Black Metallic with Indy Red accents, Orange Madness with Matte Black accents and Boardwalk Blue with Bright White accents.

The XP 800 XP EPS-Sunset Red has 12-inch black Crusher rims with PXT tires, a Sunset Red paint scheme with Turbo Silver suspension springs and black and Sunset Red seats.

The XP 800 EPS-Browning Edition with Pursuit Camo has a camo paint scheme, a 4,500-pound winch, dual Lock & Ride black gun scabbards positioned above the bed, Matte Black steel rims with PXT tires and Browning seats with Buck Mark decal.

The Crew 800 EPS has 12-inch Black Crusher rims with PXT tires, a Turbo Silver paint scheme and Black and Turbo Silver seats.

RZR 800s have Maxxis tires on 12-inch Black Crusher rims and custom graphics. Color schemes include Screamin’ Yellow and Sunset Orange, both with black accents. The Walker Evans model has Indy Red paint with black accents and a premium Walker Evans Shock Package.

The RZR 800 EPS-Super Graphite Rally has Maxxis tires on 12-inch Black Crusher rims, Super Graphite paint White Lightning and black accents and a custom rally graphics package.

The RZR S 800-Rally and RZR 4 800-Rally have Sunset Red paint with White Lightning and black accents and Maxxis Bighorn tires on 12-inch Crusher rims.

The RZR S 800-Desert Tan has the Desert Tan paint scheme with black accents, including the Black Polaris star on the hood, Maxxis Bighorn tires on Desert Tan painted steel wheels, LED headlights, a Hi/Lo headlight package and a headache net.

The RZR XP 900-White Lightning has a custom Xtreme graphics package and 12-inch black Bruiser rims.
Yamaha initiative contributed more than $265,000
Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.’s national OHV Access Initiative contributed more than $265,000 in GRANTs (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nations Trails) in 2010.
The program, with a mission to promote safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable riding areas, has invested more than $1.5 million into these critical issues to date.
Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of trails, kept open countless riding areas, improved staging areas, built bridges over fish-baring streams and partnered with local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience for all.
“Yamaha is proud of the hard work accomplished through the support of the OHV Access Initiative, but there is always more to be done,” Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager, said in a press release. “Riding clubs and land managers across the country have put the resources of the OHV Access Initiative to good use, and we continue to encourage more of them to look to Yamaha for support.”
Yamaha has reaffirmed its commitment to the OHV community in 2011 and is now actively seeking qualified projects from nonprofit or tax exempt organizations at local, state and federal levels. “We have seen the effects of the economic downturn on the local level. It is a challenge for OHV clubs and riding areas to maintain their trails and take on new projects, but we are here to help,” Nessl said. “If you work for a national or state forest, or are a member of a local riding club, we encourage you to check out the guidelines, application and examples on our website, and consider how you might incorporate an OHV Access Initiative GRANT as you maintain and improve your riding area.”
The 2011 OHV Access Initiative GRANT schedule, application form and guidelines are available at www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess. PSB

PowersportsBusinessMarch 14, 2011