NEWS RELEASES

July 7, 07
HONDA UTV?

Well’ you can’t blame us for trying, we just got off the phone with Tim Patnode (National Sales Manager) for Honda. Everyone is asking about the Honda side x side and thus far there has been very little to report. Even the dealers seem to be in absolute dark about a red UTV. We talked with the general manager of Honda in Page Arizona two weeks ago and they said the company isn’t saying anything. They sounded as frustrated as anyone else. The sad part is the pressure is on those who are waiting to buy. Before they drop 12K for something else, they want to see Honda’s response to the UTV phenomenon. We talk with the people in the field, the dealers and even follow the forums and the consensus is the same, many would like to wait, but once all your friends have one, it’s impossible. Tim wouldn’t even admit that Honda had one in R & D. but he did say that when they come out with something it’s the best. He reminded me of how long it took them to come out with a road racing bike, but when they did, they went on a 11 winning streak. I think this was his way of saying that when (or if) they debut a side x side in Sept, it will prove to have been worth the wait.

June 22, 07
UTV MARKET IS RED HOT

The UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) Industry is only now beginning to explode but it’s been around for years. As an industry we are so new that we still have not divided on what names we will be known by. Some call their machine a UTV, a Cart or event a Side x Side. In the end we believe UTV will win the race for industry recognition but for now to really find what your after, your going to be stick with Goggling everything.

The first mass production UTV was the Gator by John Deer. You can find these units at Universities, Farms and large commercial properties all over the country. At the same time we began seeing Tricked out Golf Carts showing up as track cars for NASCAR events, NHRA events and every other form of racing. The look took hold and soon power was the issue.

Today the UTV comes in every shape and size. All the factories have recognized the gold mine before them. Motorcycle sales are off, ATV Sales have settled for the first time in 10 years but UTV sales are on fire. It’s apparent that to make money over the next decade, you better be involved in this very hot sector of off-road recreation.

UTV Dealers report that their current allocation for machines is leaving them short. Some shops have told us that even though the have a few in stock, there is a 3 month waiting list before you can run off and play with the boys. Did I just say that? Actually, we see more families out and about than anything else. Fiends of ours just bout a new Ranger for about 12K and they have been in the hills, dunes and mountains every single weekend. It started out with just three local families heading off to play, but as others have discovered how universal they are, the group has grown. Now in just a few months they have about 15 machines amongst them.

Talking of being universal, they are doing everything with these things. Farming, Snow removal (Look honey now I can clear the driveway) the barrage of excuses for buying one of these things is unbelievable. We are seeing UTV Rally Events, UTV drag racing, UTV mud bogs, UTV tug of war, UTV Dirt Ovals, Professional UTV Rock Crawl divisions and even the SNORE Baja UTV desert races.

We are also beginning to see UTV exclusive events like the First Annual UTV Rally in Moab last month and the UTV Race Week Series that will be held all across the country. This is an exciting event because you get to try your hand at all kinds of UTV Racing and competition.

Dealers are trying best they can to make sense of what’s happening and where but with the industries first UTV Trade Magazine now available, they can get straight to business with the series of editorials designed to keep them abreast to all the turns and new trends the UTV market is making overnight. Things are moving fast and being in the loop means Retail sales. We are introducing every shop in America to the pioneers of UTV Accessories and tricked ride options.

It’s crazy, but we are watching customers buy a machine for about 10K and turn right around and accessorize the thing for another 10K. Apparently the money is there; if the buyer likes what he sees it’s sold. . This is one of the main reasons we are encouraging the dealers to trick out a machine and make some relationships with the Accessories guys. It seems there is as much money to be made after the sale as there was before.

Never the less, Red hot can’t describe it. Be in the know, stay ahead of the competition and there is a ton of money to be made.