Textron Seeks “Strategic Alternatives” For Arctic Cat Division

[biffdotorg]

country cat said today that yamaha was back in looking at them john deer an CF moto

John Deere did start selling snowmobile tshirts in their catalog and dealerships this year. It really started the rumor mill on the sled forums.

And they have their own dealer network. It was the reason they jumped on the bandwagon back in the 70's like everyone else. It was a reason to get the farmers into the showroom in the off season.

 

[RobX-1]

Hmm, John Deere had the Spit Fire, Sport Fire, and Trail Fire...maybe a Triple Fire with the 998?

 

[biffdotorg]

Hmm, John Deere had the Spit Fire, Sport Fire, and Trail Fire...maybe a Triple Fire with the 998?

Lots of green inventory. Just needs some new decals. And anything is better than Polaris' version of the Trail Fire (smile)

 

[earthling]

Lots of green inventory. Just needs some new decals. And anything is better than Polaris' version of the Trail Fire (smile)

View attachment 177305

Polaris is just playing catchup with doo

 

[KnappAttack]

country cat said today that yamaha was back in looking at them john deer an CF moto

How great would that be so see Yamaha stay in the snowmobile business? I have a feeling though that when these companies make a decision, they stick with it. I'm afraid that ship has sailed but who knows, they did make Textron an offer a few years ago to buy them out, but Textron wanted way-way more than it was worth and turned the good Yamaha offer down.

Deere would be great, as long as were at it, I guess we could get a Kawasaki, Chaparral, Scorpion, Mercury, Rupp or Sno-Jet rumor started right here too! Throw them all into the mix...

 

[Macheater]

Definitely doesn't look good for cat fans!
But, this certainly isn't the first time cat has been down, AND risen from the ashes.
Certainly a VERY different climate these days for snowmobiling in general though.
With prices rising, snow retreating, emissions, and legislations, it's definitely a tough time for sledheads!

 

[Simplespeed]

Its really a sad day to read these post and I wonder if that big lawsuit that they lost against Doo was the straw that broke their back.. I counted 120 sleds either for sale or for rent sitting out at a local Dealer and very few customers at this time.. I think many of these sleds are over priced like most things these days and this dealer will not deal on them to this point. The worst part is most of this inventory is two and three years old with very little curent…

 

[yamajammer76]

How great would that be so see Yamaha stay in the snowmobile business? I have a feeling though that when these companies make a decision, they stick with it. I'm afraid that ship has sailed but who knows, they did make Textron an offer a few years ago to buy them out, but Textron wanted way-way more than it was worth and turned the good Yamaha offer down.

Deere would be great, as long as were at it, I guess we could get a Kawasaki, Chaparral, Scorpion, Mercury, Rupp or Sno-Jet rumor started right here too! Throw them all into the mix...

It's doubtful, however new business opportunities can make a company take another look. If Yamaha needs more volume in their Georgia plant buying Cat gives them that with an additional product line for their dealers. The other thing it gives them is a modern 2 stroke EPA compliant engine offering. If Yamaha did purchase it I'd be shocked if they kept the TRF factory. St. Cloud engine sure and maybe an engineering shop in MN, but production would have to be consolidated with their dirt products to be profitable. Considering Textron is basically canning their entire workforce a non-motorsports company has to start from scratch. Plus I think northern Yamaha dealers would welcome back a winter product line. The Catalyst is a very competitive chassis that will have a long life.

Now I'm extremely doubtful Yamaha would do this, but it does make some sense from a business standpoint.

 

[johnboy]

Darn, I guess the timing of this announcement for me personally is good, but bad in big picture for snowmobiling. I left skidoo 20 years ago for a Yamaha 4 stroke. I have owned several since then. I was actually going to trade my 21 Viper in on a 25 SW LTX-GT EPS today. Now since learning about Cat My back up plan is to trade for a 25 Skidoo Renegade Turbo R Enduro. I ride a lot and i don’t want to be sitting at home waiting for warranty parts if I stick with Yamaha. Decision time this morning!

 

[sideshowBob]

I ride a lot and i don’t want to be sitting at home waiting for warranty parts if I stick with Yamaha. Decision time this morning!

As much as I hate to say it...considering future Yamaha and Cat parts availability and resale value of a potentially obsolete brand...its a no brainer.

 

[STAIN]

I would not be afraid of parts. What really do you need? The aftermarket has all the consumable parts you will need.

 

[Fords4life]

I would not be afraid of parts. What really do you need? The aftermarket has all the consumable parts you will need.

Plus we have snowmobile salvage yards to draw from.

 

[Motorhead]

I would not be afraid of parts. What really do you need? The aftermarket has all the consumable parts you will need.

I worry about both upcoming price and availability of parts, whereas as we know, parts have been made in China for many years now, and they have been targeted with up to 200% tariffs upcoming! So immediate part suppliers and manufacturers are surely watching our upcoming trade war for self adjustments!!

 

[yamajammer76]

Why does John Deere keep posting this stuff and creating all kinds of speculation?

 

[Simplespeed]

Here my answer to this problem.. Buy two Sidewinders and you will always have the part needed or if the sled breaks you jump on the other one.. Winter is short and I don’t choose to waste it sitting on the sidelines.. When the snow flies, you find me on a trail riding somewhere …