Last updated February 13, 2025

In spite of all of the rumors circulating on social media, factual news about Arctic Cat has been relatively quiet since Textron filed form 8-K with the SEC back in December. 

In that 8-K filing, Textron Specialty Vehicles (Arctic Cat’s parent company) announced that all Arctic Cat product manufacturing would be paused indefinitely in the beginning of 2025. 

Textron Specialty Vehicles also announced in December that it was exploring strategic alternatives regarding the future of Arctic Cat. It was confirmation at the time that Arctic Cat was for sale.

SnoWest has reached out to both Textron Specialty Vehicles (TSV) and senior staff within Arctic Cat. While TSV did not provide any new information, we did get an update from a trusted source within Arctic Cat.

Speaking on anonymity, a high-level representative within Arctic Cat told SnoWest that as of February 5th, Arctic Cat has not yet been sold off to another company. We were told that TSV is still in the stage of receiving and reviewing proposals from potential buyers for the Arctic Cat brand. Our source confirmed that Textron has indeed received acquisition proposals from multiple interested parties. No timeline was provide on when those offers are expected to be reviewed or a decision made.

While there is no deal inked at the moment, an aquisition in the next 60-90 days could potentially indicate a possibility of Arctic Cat releasing a limited model year 2026 lineup. Before TSV announced that the factory would halt production, the Arctic Cat team was gearing up for a 2026 model year with limited resources. 

We were also told that confidence in a buyout coming together is very high.

While we are unable to confirm any companies currently at the table, we expect (hope) to see Arctic Cat snowmobile production ramping back up under new ownership at some point.  

Not the first time: Arctic Cat's Temporary Shutdown in the early '80s:

In 1981, the snowmobile industry was in turmoil, and Arctic Cat found itself in dire financial straits. Rising oil prices, declining snowmobile sales, and an economic downturn forced the company to file for bankruptcy. The once-thriving Minnesota-based manufacturer, known for its innovative designs and loyal customer base, halted production and shut its doors.

However, Arctic Cat’s story didn’t end there. A group of former employees and investors refused to let the brand fade away. In 1983, they revived the company under the name Arctco, determined to bring Arctic Cat back to the trails. By 1984, they had resumed snowmobile production, gradually restoring the brand’s reputation and market presence.

This temporary setback ultimately strengthened Arctic Cat’s legacy, proving its resilience. The company went on to innovate and compete fiercely, securing its place as a powerhouse in the snowmobile industry for decades to come. Will we see a repeat of sorts this decade? Time will tell. 

Follow SnoWest Magazine on all social platforms for the latest news as it happens.