polaris wins in vegas
Amsnow
At its August sales meeting in Las Vegas, the nation's gambling capital, Polaris proved a sure bet with dealers and financial analysts. Only days after posting higher-than-expected earnings and raising EPS targets for 2003, the company unveiled four new products, giving dealers a winning hand for months and years to come. The products, including the Victory Kingpin and the Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Motorcycle, the RANGER TaskMaster and a new LE2100 sportboat, are four more aces in Polaris' already stacked deck.
"We're really excited about the new additions to Polaris' product portfolio," said Tom Tiller, Polaris president and CEO. "All four offerings represent significant growth areas for the company and are a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of all our employees. Most importantly, each of our new products will continue to deliver on Polaris' reputation for the industry-leading quality our customers have come to expect."
Five years after the first Victory Motorcycle rolled off the production line in 1998, the line of Victory bikes is stronger than ever. The Victory Vegas introduction in 2002 was hailed by the motorcycle industry, winning major awards.
Beyond the industry, motorcycle enthusiasts have taken notice. Victory sales for 2002 increased by more than 50% and are projected to increase again in 2003. The 2004 Kingpin represents the next generation in cruiser motorcycles for Victory and positions the brand for greater sustained growth.
"The Victory brand is coming off a stellar year," said Mark Blackwell, general manager, Victory Motorcycles. "The Kingpin is a great follow-up to our very successful Vegas launch this past year. With these two bikes in our arsenal, we're expecting Victory to have its biggest year yet in 2004."
The Kingpin features a powerful, overhead cam, 92-cubic-inch Freedom(TM) V-twin engine with sleek styling, including 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, fully valanced fenders and wide front and rear tires. It also boasts superior suspension and handling, an inverted-cartridge fork and full floorboards, creating the ultimate combination of riding comfort with the speed and power enthusiasts want.
The Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Vegas is another new addition for 2004. Ness, a renowned master builder, designed the entire look and feel of the bike that bears his name. Chrome is the key element to Ness' signature bike, and combined with the chassis, engine and quality ride of a Victory Vegas, the limited-edition model is sure to turn heads.
"Our involvement with Arlen Ness has been a great experience," said Blackwell. "We're honored to work with him and proud to have a bike with his exclusive stamp of approval. Ness' popularity among motorcycle enthusiasts should make this limited-edition model, with a build of only a few hundred, a quick sell."
Bikers can order their 2004 custom Victory motorcycle early through the Victory Custom Order Program. Entering its second year of offering motorcyclists a fully custom-built Victory straight from the factory, the program is greatly expanded for 2004, offering more than 3,000 configurations to buyers who order a 2004 Vegas, Touring Cruiser (TC) or Kingpin by Oct. 27, 2003. The program represents potential savings to customers of up to more than $5,000 per motorcycle and the reassurance of factory installation and warranty.