What about trends in the sport ATV space?
Fitch: Tires and wheels, along with armor and exhaust.
Kramer: Unit sales of sport ATVs have been challenging, but the vendors that are continuing to innovate and introduce new products are the ones that are winning in this category.
Where do you see the UTV/SxS aftermarket in the next year or two?
Ginn: In the next few years I see the SxS aftermarket continuing to mature and develop alongside the key manufacturers. The OEMs have changed their approach and product offering over the last few years by pushing the envelope where only the aftermarket sector had previously pushed. This shift has led to a change in some degree of what you can do on the aftermarket side. In the near future I see the aftermarket sector continuing to solidify this transition as the manufacturers improve and perfect their production units.
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"There is a limit to how much is too much, and eventually the battle for performance supremacy will settle down." -- Jim Webber, Kolpin Powersports |
Fitch: I think the current trend with UTVs and side-by-side vehicles is very good, and we will see consumers continue to personalize their vehicles with tops, windshields, lights, mirrors, and stereo systems along with tires and wheels and other accessories.
Brayton: I see the vehicles going faster and being more capable with the OEMs competing [against each other]. I’m also looking forward to the styling and body changes that I think we will see in the next year or two.
Webber: SxS vehicles are no doubt going toward high performance in the West, with vehicles like the BRP Commander 100, RZR 900XP and the new Wildcat raising the bar in this market. But, like the snowmobile market in the mid ‘90s, there is a limit to how much is too much, and eventually the battle for performance supremacy will settle down.
How important is it for dealers to support their local riding clubs and efforts to keep riding areas open/maintained?
Brayton: Extremely important, without riding areas and the local clubs, I don’t think we would be seeing the same growth in sales.
Kramer: ATVs and UTVs are truly multi-use vehicles. Most riders participate in recreational riding in addition to putting their ATV/UTVs to work. Our industry needs both sides of that equation and the dealership support is crucial to promoting those local activities.
Ginn: This kind of support is crucial because having available off-road riding areas is what allows all of this to exist. Grassroots efforts like this can truly make a difference in the long run and signify to people that dealers really are in this because of their passion for the sport just like their customers.
