Can UTVs keep manufacturers afloat during slow economy?

Although the United States isn't technically in a recession, things are very slow in the off-road market-place. Sales of sand cars are so low that several manufacturers have closed their doors or have drastically scaled back.

Funco Motorsports (http://www.funco-motorsports.com/) decided last year to diversify into the UTV market and now offers long travel kits for the Kawasaki Teryx and has built a race winning team to compete in the CORR UTV Race Series.

In late July, Arctic Cat reported net sales increased 7 percent (http://www.utvguide.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=353), and believes the growth segment of the ATV market is side-by-side utility vehicles. During the first quarter, Arctic Cat unveiled its new 2009 model ATVs to dealers, including an extension of the Prowler UTV line. The company’s new high-performance Prowler XTZ 1000 (http://www.utvguide.net/arctic_cat_prowler_xtz1000.htm) combines a side-by-side with an Arctic Cat-engineered 1000cc engine, making it the most powerful UTV available in the industry.

Earlier in July, Polaris Industries announced that a second-quarter profit rose 7 percent on greater demand for its side-by-side Ranger all-terrain vehicles (http://www.utvguide.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=293). Then in late July, Polaris announced the 2009 UTV models and there seems to be quite a bit of interest in the new RZR S (http://www.utvguide.net/polaris_rzr_s.htm) and Ranger HD (http://www.utvguide.net/polaris_ranger_hd.htm).

The UTV market is red hot and more manufacturers are entering the game every year. This is a good thing for off-road enthusiasts. Let's hope the side x side segement keeps growing and helps some of these manufacturers make enough to stay afloat.