Australia's number one off-road vehicle brand, Polaris Industries, bucked the trend of a contracting market to continue its outstanding growth trajectory in April, helping it to take the mantle as market leader in all eight Australian states and territories year-to-date 2018.
Coming off a dominant 2017 where it finished the year as Australia's number one off-road vehicle brand – some 1,017 sales or 4.5 market share percentage points ahead of its nearest rival - Polaris was again a clear market leader in April for the fourth consecutive time in four months so far this year. Polaris' April market share grew 0.7 market share percentage points to 32.4 percent versus April 2017.
In an ATV and side x side market which is now down 2.2 percent year-to-date, Polaris has grown sales by 2.2 percent versus the January-to-April period last year, a positive growth swing of 4.4 percent. As a result, Polaris has grown its year-to-date market share to 31.3 percent – a share increase of 1.3 percentage points.
Impressively, after just four months so far in 2018, Polaris' 1,702 sales and 31.3 market share is already 518 sales or a whopping 9.5 market share percentage points clear of its nearest competitor.
Boasting an industry-leading range of 23 models with Roll-Over Protection Structures (ROPS), Polaris is unsurprisingly dominant in the growing side x side market with 44 percent share of the utility side x side market year-to-date (a staggering 24.6 market share percentage points ahead of its nearest competitor) and 58.2 percent share of the sport side x side market.
Unlike the agricultural ATV market which is down 3.1 percent year-to-date versus the same period last year, the utility side x side market in 2018 has continued to grow at the healthy rate of 3 percent versus year-to-date 2017. Despite the contracting ATV market conditions, Polaris dominates the big bore ATV market with 16 percent sales growth in a 551cc and above ATV market which is down 12 percent year-to-date – driving market share growth of 11.4 percentage points to a lofty 46.8 percent share.
The dominance of Polaris is particularly pronounced in Victoria with 41.2 percent market share in April and 34 percent year-to-date, and New South Wales with 37.8 percent share in April and 34.1 percent year-to-date. Polaris holds number one market position in all eight Australian states and territories.
"Whilst market conditions have softened somewhat, we are buoyed by our growth and the overwhelming consumer response to our industry-leading product range, particularly our 23 models with ROPS," said Polaris Australia Country Manager, Alan Collins
"With the government set to extend its $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses and safety rebates continuing through WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork New South Wales for ATV users to transition to a side x side or Polaris ACE vehicle, we are confident that the prospects for both the Australian off-road vehicle market and Polaris as a brand look bright for the remainder of 2018," he said.
Polaris is also seeing strong growth on the back of new 2018 models including Ranger XP 1000 HD EPS and Sportsman 570 HD EPS which have been designed and built for Australia, along with continued success of its very unique single-seat, ROPS-equipped Polaris ACE and Polaris UTE ATV with a rear dump box.
"On top of all this is the incredible excitement from the launch last month of our newest and most advanced youth product – 2018 Ranger 150 – which comes complete with geofencing capabilities, digital speed limiting and passcode protected safe start…all controlled via an app on a smart phone," Collins said.
"And mirroring the growth of Polaris off-road vehicle sales is the growth in genuine Polaris accessories, which offers literally hundreds of options for consumers to easily and quickly customize our vehicles to their own wishes."
More information about Polaris Off-Road Vehicles and Polaris Engineered Accessories can be found online at polarisaustralia.com
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Polaris Website: http://polarisaustralia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolarisAustralia/
About Polaris
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader that has been fueling the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts for more than 60 years. With annual 2017 sales of $5.4 billion, Polaris' innovative, high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; the Sportsman® and Polaris ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, Switchback® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerican Auto Parts. Polaris' presence in adjacent markets globally includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.