Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles, today asked off-road enthusiasts to stand up and let their voices be heard regarding the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) proposed mandates for off-road, side-by-side vehicles (ROVs).

Despite willingness by Polaris and other manufacturers, along with the Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), to work in unison with the CPSC to develop ongoing safety improvements for all off-highway vehicles, the CPSC appears determined to mandate handling and performance capabilities, and require excessive and potentially unsafe restraint systems for future ROVs.

If not halted, the mandate will unnecessarily limit design freedom in the off-road industry and negatively impact off-road customers. The proposed CPSC “rule” would require Polaris and other manufacturers to make arbitrary design changes to all future side-by-side vehicles.

The proposed changes could lead to future off-road vehicles with reduced steering response, reduction in ground clearance, and more restrictive driver and passenger restraint and seatbelt systems.

“As an off-road community, we have a tremendous challenge in front of us,” said Paul Vitrano, VP, global government relations for Polaris. “As a unified community, we can protect our right to design, build and ride for today and the future.” Polaris is asking off-road enthusiasts to reach out to Congress, and voice their opposition.

More information about the proposed mandate and how to speak out can be found at StopTheROVMandate.com.

Also be sure to voice your opinion on the CPSC Contact Form.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S.,and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PII, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available fromauthorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is about to level some pretty crazy new regulations which have the potential to undermine safety (yes!) and functionality of current side by side vehicles.

Currently the CPSC is in a 75 day holding pattern allowing for both the industry and users to have input for or against the mandates and changes the CPSC wants SXS OEM’s to implement.

Watch the following video and see exactly what these strange new rules will do to the vehicles we love.

If you choose to do nothing, we all will lose. If you wish to preserve this incredible sport for future generations then take action!

Every off road enthusiast needs to visit StopTheROVMandate.com. You can link through to a pre-written letter which you can sign and send to your member of congress.

Your voice MUST be heard!!

Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) today announced that Christopher T. Metz, 49, will join the company as president and chief executive officer on December 3, 2014. Metz succeeds Christopher Twomey, who remains Arctic Cat’s board chair.

Commented Twomey: “The board conducted a national search for a new CEO and we are delighted that Chris is joining Arctic Cat. Chris is a proven leader in the consumer and durable goods industries. He has built a career on improving the performance of market-leading companies. He brings an outstanding strategic skill set to his new role at Arctic Cat – a keen focus on executional excellence and deep experience in product marketing, finance, global operations and talent management. Importantly, he is adept at creating strong partnerships with customers and dealers. Along with the rest of the board, I am pleased to welcome Chris and look forward to working with him.”

Since 2005, Metz has served as a managing director of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm with more than $10 billion in capital under management. Prior to Sun Capital, Metz was president at Black & Decker, leading its Hardware and Home Improvement Group from 1999 to 2005.

During his 13-year tenure at Black & Decker, he held various other senior leadership positions, including: president of Kwikset Corporation, the world’s largest residential lockset manufacturer; president of Price Pfister, a leading manufacturer of finish faucets; president of Baldwin Hardware; and general manager of European Professional Power Tools and Accessories, based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Metz said: “I am excited to lead a terrific team at Arctic Cat. The company has a strong consumer brand and significant opportunities to increase its sales and profitability. I am eager to build on the company’s success and enhance shareholder value.”

Metz serves on the board of directors of NYSE-listed Vince Holdings Corp., a global fashion brand and retailer with approximately $300 million in annual revenue.

Metz earned a master of business administration degree from the Kenan Flagler School of Business of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Delaware.

Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol ACAT.

More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at arcticcat.com.

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the acquisition of certain assets of LSI Products Inc. and Armor Holdings, LLC, privately-held Riverside, Calif.-based companies that design, develop, manufacture, source, sell and distribute accessories for performance side-by-side vehicles and ATV markets under the Pro Armor brand.

This acquisition adds Pro Armor to Polaris’ growing parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) business. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The acquisition of Pro Armor adds another industry-leading brand to our growing stable of PG&A aftermarket brands, a key contributor to Polaris’ growth and profitability,” said Steve Eastman, Polaris’ vice president of PG&A. “Pro Armor is a leading brand in performance side-by-side accessories with a relentless commitment to innovation, style, performance and quality. The addition of Pro Armor to Polaris’ aftermarket brand portfolio allows us to extend our channel and customer reach in the performance side-by-side and ATV markets. Our common culture and shared passion for the Powersports industry and consumer will create an exciting platform for continued innovation and accelerated growth.”

Pro Armor will continue to operate as a distinct brand and the operations will remain in Riverside. Both Polaris and Pro Armor will continue to develop independent product plans while leveraging development, sourcing and distribution capabilities.

“Both Pro Armor and Polaris are driven by a high degree of passion and determination to develop the best customer-focused product solutions in the industry,” said Alex Danze, President and CEO, Pro Armor. “Pro Armor’s success is built on an intimate understanding of the rider and we look forward to becoming a part of the Polaris family where we can take our market leadership and customer relationships to the next level.”

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.
Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory, Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Pro Armor and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Pro Armor is a leading aftermarket brand for performance side-by-side and ATV accessories. Founded in 1995, Pro Armor designs, develops, manufactures and distributes quality, innovative side-by-side and ATV accessories for various OEM brand vehicles. Key products include doors, aluminum bumpers, seats, roofs and harnesses. The Pro Armor name is a reflection of the durability and strength that goes into every product produced. Built by a powersports enthusiast, Pro Armor has a strong reputation with consumers due to its keen understanding of what fuels the passion of riders. Pro Armor has always tested and raced the parts it develops and sells to the public. Racing has been an integral part of Pro Armor’s business and continues to play a very important role the innovative and durable products developed. National Championships have been won almost every year since Pro Armor started with names like Joe Byrd, Dustin Wimmer, Bill Ballance all running the brand’s products.

For additional product information about Pro Armor please check out the website at proarmor.com.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.

Round 8 of the Texas Off-Road Nationals (TORN) would see Team UXC Racer Chris Robinson take the win and seal the Utility Quad Championship on his Scrambler XP 1000 EPS.

The race would see some stiff competition with eight utility quads lined up to tackle the 5-mile course. Robinson would jump off the line in second and by mile one, take the lead. He would hold the lead for the next two laps, get passed for a short amount of time, and then regain the lead to take the win and championship.

“The Polaris Scrambler XP 1000 EPS was solid and my Custom Axis Suspension along with my Fasst Company Flexx Bars soaked up the choppy filed sections that were full of acceleration and braking pumps. The Maxxis Ceros tires provided great traction and stable cornering on the off camber hill climbs,” said Robinson. “I would like to thank all of my sponsors and looking forward to a strong 2015 season.”

“We would like to congratulate Chris on bringing home the first championship for the Scrambler XP 1000,” said Donna Beadle, race team manager for Polaris. “Chris has worked hard all season and has been a great asset to the team.”

Team UXC Racing heads south to Ensenada, Mexico for the 47th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The team is leading the Sportsman Quads Class in points for the series and looks to have a solid Baja 1000.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PII, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.