Arctic Cat ATVs and side-by-sides are now available as TRACKER-branded machines at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores, combining the guts of machines designed and built in Thief River Falls with the skin and retail presence of massive North American retailers.
There’s a lot of game-changing hype in the release as well as some missing details (such as, will these retail locations provide service or not, and exactly which models are we talking?), but I see this in a similar light as Arctic Cat building a dedicated version of the Prowler Pro for Caterpillar.
The new partnership with TRACKER will sell more TRF-designed-and-built machines to more customers, which is a good thing. I have hope that it will mean more service/support opportunity to existing Arctic Cat dealers.
Press Release-
Textron and TRACKER Announce Game-Changing Made in the USA Partnership in the ATV Industry
Jan. 22, 2019: More than 40 years after revolutionizing the boating industry, Johnny Morris is aligning with Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, to do the same thing again in the ATV and side-by-side industry. TRACKER today announced a memorandum of understanding to form a game-changing new partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., to introduce TRACKER OFF ROAD. This bold new line of high-performance all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by-sides will offer breakthrough performance, service and value.
The powerhouse partnership will bring together TRACKER, part of Bass Pro’s White River Marine Group and the undisputed world leader in boating – with Textron – a global leader in innovation and technology.
“We’re extremely excited to extend the TRACKER legacy of delivering unmatched breakthrough value and quality for a whole new category of outdoor recreation and fun with TRACKER OFF ROAD,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and leader of The Great Outdoors Group that includes iconic outdoor brands like TRACKER, Ranger, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. “These vehicles are designed and manufactured to deliver the industry-leading quality our customers have come to expect from the TRACKER brand. Our incredible partners at Textron are forging TRACKER OFF ROAD vehicles with the same levels of deep expertise that goes into building state-of-the-art business jets, marine assault vehicles and military helicopters.”
TRACKER Off Road vehicles will be sold through the world’s leading independent boat dealer network of select Ranger, Triton, and Tracker, and other independent dealers, as well as at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations, which host more than 200 million outdoor lovers annually. Proudly manufactured in the United States, TRACKER OFF ROAD vehicles are now in production and expected to make their debut this spring.
The new models will be designed in partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., known worldwide for its brands and products that serve numerous industries. TSV product lines include Arctic Cat snowmobiles, side-by-sides and ATVs; Cushman utility vehicles, E-Z-GO golf cars, Jacobsen professional turf care equipment, and Textron GSE ground support equipment. TSV will manufacture TRACKER OFF ROAD vehicles at its facility in Thief River Falls, Minn.
“We are thrilled to partner with Johnny Morris and TRACKER to launch this amazing new line of products,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles. “The TRACKER brand is renowned and respected by lovers of the outdoors all over the world, and we are proud to design and manufacture this new line of side-by-sides and ATVs that will extend its reach and reputation into the off-road industry. These rugged, reliable and versatile vehicles are worthy of the TRACKER brand and wear it with pride.”
TRACKER OFF ROAD will be marketed to Bass Pro’s large database of outdoor sportsmen. To kick off the campaign, the two American icons introduced the new off-road line with high-profile celebrities and sportsmen including NFL Super Bowl Champion Peyton Manning, country music star Luke Bryan, Professional Bull Riding legend “Cool Hand” Luke Snyder and fishing legend Jimmy Houston. They joined Johnny to help unveil the new vehicles for more than 2,000 team members, dealers, and special guests at Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. The event was broadcast live Jan. 17 to all Bass Pro and Cabela’s stores and more than 600 independent dealers worldwide.
As part of the launch event, NASCAR champion Martin Truex, Jr. made a special appearance to unveil the new No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry paint scheme for the 2019 season as part of Joe Gibbs Racing. TRACKER Boats and ATVs will be prominently displayed on the car throughout the 2019 season as part of an ongoing partnership between Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, TRACKER and the avid outdoorsman.
TRACKER OFF ROAD to support leading conservation groups to continue winning tradition.
In keeping with Johnny Morris’ lifetime commitment to conservation, TRACKER OFF-ROAD will also help support several of the nation’s leading not-for-profit conservation organizations as the Official Off-Road Vehicle of both the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Quality Deer Management Association. Becky Humphries, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation, was on-hand for the announcement and to discuss its role in advancing conservation.
Good for Arctic Cat “if” they actually sell.
I feel like the industry is past the point of rebranding machines though.
And will they be priced differently than the comparable Cat machine?
People who buy Tracker now, do so because they know its a great product but does that translate into them wanting a Tracker ATV? I’m not so sure about that. Any brand who magically comes out with an ATV, as a consumer I would think you would be a little leary of it. So the only selling point I can think of is, buy this Tracker ATV made in the USA by Arctic Cat.
I think the thinking is the southern folk will buy a tracker badged machine because that is a name they are familiar with and the northern folk will buy a AC badged machine because that is a brand they are familiar with.