Are You a Fan of Arctic Cat? Good News – the Future Looks Bright
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.01.17
A few months ago we let you know about Textron purchasing Arctic Cat, and now details are available that explain what it means going forward for consumers and dealers.
Recently at a gathering of employees and dealers in Texas, Textron Specialized Vehicles (TSV) announced its plan for growth as it incorporates Arctic Cat into the company, including its future powersports brand portfolio. Textron also teased some new and upcoming products across its snowmobile, side-by-side and ATV product lines.
During the event, Textron Specialized Vehicles President and CEO Kevin Holleran outlined the value and synergies that Arctic Cat and Textron bring to each other.
“Arctic Cat joins a portfolio of Textron brands and products that includes not just E-Z-GO golf cars and Textron Off Road side-by-sides, but also Cessna and Beechcraft fixed-wing aircraft, Bell helicopters, Greenlee professional tools, Kautex automotive fuel systems, and many other leading products in industries across the globe,” Holleran said.
“Everything Textron Specialized Vehicles makes is created by tapping the same world-class engineering expertise, manufacturing know-how and Fortune 500 resources that power these brands,” he continued, pointing out as an example that TSV Vice President, Engineering Chris Spencer spent more than 2 decades at Bell Helicopter as a lead engineer on military programs such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey.
John Collins (above), TSV vice president, consumer, explained: “Moving forward, the company will transition all side-by-sides and ATVs to become a part of the Textron Off Road brand. The iconic Arctic Cat brand, built on decades of performance and leadership in snowmobiles, will remain in use on the company’s innovative, high-performance snowmobile product lines.”
Specifically, Arctic Cat’s legacy and heritage in side-by-sides and ATVs will live on in the proven Alterra, Wildcat and Prowler products, which will join Textron Off Road’s existing Stampede side-by-side in the company’s family of off-road vehicles.
“The decision to rebrand side-by-sides and ATVs under the Textron Off Road name was not taken lightly,” Collins said, “and was the result of consultation and research with consumers and dealers that showed that the Textron Off Road brand offered the best opportunity for future growth across all regions, particularly outside of the snow belt.”
During the event, Collins revealed a sneak peek of the next Textron Off Road-branded side-by-side, to be released this fall. As yet unnamed, this new “crossover” vehicle will bridge the gap between utility side-by-sides and sport models, with 100-plus horsepower, a class-leading suspension set apart by King Shocks, bucket seats and an extended cab with industry-leading, usable storage. Stay tuned to OutdoorHub for more news on this exciting machine.
In addition, Collins announced more details of the next-generation Wildcat sport side-by-side, the Wildcat XX, which will be released in spring 2018. Powered by a 998cc triple engine generating 125hp, the Wildcat XX will also feature a suspension with King shocks and 18- inches of suspension travel, 30-inch tires on 15-inch KMC wheels, and full doors.
“Textron’s engineering expertise and resources will accelerate the pace of technological innovation in Arctic Cat’s already groundbreaking snowmobiles,” said Erik Nelson, TSV president and general manager, snow and international. Nelson stressed that the Arctic Cat brand will always live on in the company’s snow products.
The event took place in an airplane hangar at Fort Worth’s Alliance Airport, where an extensive display of Textron products underscored the company’s technological DNA and marketing might.
Arctic Cat products stood alongside the Textron Off Road Stampede side-by-side, as well as an array of E-Z-GO personal transportation vehicles. Flanking the stage were a Bell 407GXP helicopter and the Textron AirLand Scorpion, a tactical jet aircraft designed for a variety of roles and missions, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), maritime control, close air support, armed reconnaissance and pilot training.
