Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/258703
FOCUS PSB Utility UTV www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • February 17, 2014 • 23 22 • February 17, 2014 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Power Products Marketing data shows 10 percent UTV growth in 2013 BY GUIDO EBERT CONTRIBUTING WRITER While rip-roaring vehicles like the Polaris RZR, Arctic Cat Wildcat and Can-Am Maverick in recent years have amassed the lion's share of headlines about the utility vehicle (UTV) market, these popular fun machines actually represent a smaller percentage of the total UTV landscape than more work-oriented models. Lets investigate the makeup of the market and discover which vehicle types actually are responsible for the majority of sales. UTVs often are also broadly referred to as side-by-side vehicles (SxSs or SSVs) or Rec- reational Utility Vehicles (RUVs). Further, OEMs use a bevy of unique terms that define these vehicles in various segments and niches. All of these encompass a very broad number of off-road vehicle types and, because the market has changed so much in recent years, there is much ambiguity about what each term specifically represents. In its latest annual report on the landscape of the UTV industry, market research firm Power Products Marketing (PPM) attempts to stem further confusion by offering new, expanded and more definitive classifications. PPM's general classification acknowledges that UTVs have bench or bucket seats for one or more passengers as opposed to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) where passengers sit astride the machine like a motorcycle. They can be driven either by internal combustion (IC) engine or electric-power and can differ sig- nificantly in body style from the typical injec- tion plastic molding bodies to heavy-plated steel bodies commonly found on vehicles in industrial plants and warehouses. They have 2-wheel-drive (4x2), 4-wheel-drive (4x4) or 6-wheel-drive (6x4) options; typically have rear dump beds, cargo beds or additional seat- ing; and can be classified as light-duty (1,200 lbs. and under capacity), medium-duty (1,201- 1,800 lbs. capacity) or heavy-duty (over 1,800 lbs. capacity). From there, the classification of these vehi- cles becomes more demarcated. PURE UTILITY VEHICLES Speed-governed at under 35 mph, and mostly without independent rear suspension, these models offer a large cargo area or built-in com- ponent attachments, 2WD or 4WD, 2- and 4-passenger seating with bench or bucket seats, and a variety of IC engines. Includes all diesel models. Examples include the Bobcat Toolcat, Deere TX, Kawasaki Mule 4010 and Kubota RTV series. UTILITY CROSSOVER VEHICLES Achieving speeds of 44-53 mph, these models feature a large cargo area, utility styl- ing, independent rear suspension, 2- and 4-passenger seating, 4WD and a variety of IC engines. Examples include the Deere XUV series, Honda Pio- neer, Polaris Ranger and Yamaha Viking. RECREATIONAL UTILITY VEHICLES With speeds of 42-55 mph, these models offer sport styling with a smaller cargo area, independent rear suspen- sion, fuel-injected engines, 2- and 4-passenger seating with bucket seats only, and 4WD. Examples include the Arctic Cat Prowler, CF Moto ZForce 600 and Kawa- saki Teryx. The single-seat Polaris Sportsman ACE also will fall in this category. SPORT RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Offering fuel-injected engines 700cc and larger, and capable of speeds between 52-70 mph, these models offer sport styling with a smaller cargo area, independent rear suspension, 2- and 4-passenger seating with bucket seats only, and 4WD. Examples include the Can-Am Commander, Polaris RZR 800 and Hisun 800. SUPER SPORT VEHICLES Powered by fuel-injected engines 800cc and larger and capable of speeds exceeding 70 mph, these models feature sport styling with a limited cargo area, independent rear suspension, 2- and 4-passenger seating with bucket seats, superior handling and suspension and 4WD. Examples include the Arctic Cat Wildcat X, Can-Am Mav- erick X 1000R and Polaris RZR XP 1000. ELECTRIC VEHICLES Not LSV/NEV certified, these units are speed- governed at 25 mph and under and offer a large cargo area, 2- and 4-passenger seating, and can be either 2WD or 4WD. They are popular at golf courses, in industrial plants and See UTV Marketplace, Page 23 warehouses, and with hunters. Examples include Bad Boy Buggies' Recoil iS, the Club Car Carryall, E-Z-Go ST and Toro MDE. Consumer applications include sales mostly to recreational riders, farmers, ranch- ers, hunters and large-acre estates/hobby farms, etc. Commercial applications include UTV MARKETPLACE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 to their compact dimensions that work well on the area's tight mountain trails. "The seats are actually built into the bed, so that makes it even more something that a person wants in this area, because they like to hunt here, they like to go up in the mountains, and here some of those vehicles are just too wide to get on some of the trails," she said. "The Pioneer is a really good option because it's not too long, and it's not too wide." YAMAHA VIKING The Viking FI 4x4 EPS starts at $12,599 and comes with a 686cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, standard power steering, independent suspension and a 1,500-pound towing capacity. One sales manager, who wished to reserve his name, at a multi-line dealership in Colorado, said off-road sales in general have been very good, with the notable exception of the Yamaha YEAR 2 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 Defining the UTV marketplace UTVs that offer recreational fun in a utility-capable package like the 2014 Honda Pioneer 700 are responsible for the majority of sales in North America. P14x23-PSB3-Focus.indd 22 2/5/14 10:27 AM