Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

Here are the worldwide market share numbers for ATV's from 1995-2006. Data was taken from the summer 2006 edition of Ehlert PowerSports Business.

1995: Honda 30%, Yamaha 26%, Polaris 25%, Kawasaki 12%, Suzuki 7%, Arctic Cat 0%, Bombardier NA

1996: Honda 31%, Yamaha 23%, Polaris 27%, Kawasaki 11%, Suzuki 8%, Arctic Cat 0%, Bombardier NA

1997: Honda 31%, Yamaha 24%, Polaris 26%, Kawasaki 10%, Suzuki 7%, Arctic Cat 2%, Bombardier NA

1998: Honda 30%, Yamaha 25%, Polaris 28%, Kawasaki 9%, Suzuki 5%, Arctic Cat 3%, Bombardier NA

1999: Honda 30%, Yamaha 25%, Polaris 27%, Kawasaki 9%, Suzuki 5%, Arctic Cat 4%, Bombardier NA

2000: Honda 32%, Yamaha 26%, Polaris 26%, Kawasaki 7%, Suzuki 5%, Arctic Cat 5%, Bombardier NA

2001: Honda 33%, Yamaha 26%, Polaris 24%, Kawasaki 6%, Suzuki 4%, Arctic Cat 6%, Bombardier 2%

2002: Honda 30%, Yamaha 25%, Polaris 25%, Kawasaki 7%, Suzuki 4%, Arctic Cat 7%, Bombardier 2%

2003: Honda 31%, Yamaha 21%, Polaris 21%, Kawasaki 9%, Suzuki 11%, Arctic Cat 5%, Bombardier 3%

2004: Honda 31%, Yamaha 22%, Polaris 22%, Kawasaki 7%, Suzuki 9%, Arctic Cat 7%, Bombardier 2%

2005: Honda 30%, Yamaha 21%, Polaris 21%, Kawasaki 8%, Suzuki 10%, Arctic Cat 7%, Bombardier 3%

2006(est.): Honda 30%, Yamaha 21%, Polaris 21%, Kawasaki 7%, Suzuki 9%, Arctic Cat 8%, Bombardier 4%

These numbers do not include sales of side by side vehicles.

It appears that Honda's ATV department is very healthy, imagine that. It also looks like some of the other OEM's need to step up to the plate...

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

All those numbers look about right to me.....I only wish Honda would take some risks on a new quad or two. They have the know how to, and the money. TAKE A RISK HONDA!!!!!

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

Folks who show up here in the forum tend to be enthusiasts, who are looking for the latest and greatest. That probably means a monster utility with a thousand "features". This is the group that always thinks that Honda is falling behind..........

As for sport quads, the 450R is competitive with anything out there, so what's behind about that? And, Honda has the mid-size market cornered (250EX and 300EX). But, I do know that there are those who want a big bore sport quad.

The average person buying a quad, is just looking for a simple basic machine that they can have fun on, and that's what sells the most units. Here in So. Calif., I am seeing tons of 450R's and 250EX's. On a recent trip to the northwest, it was Ranchers all over the place.

Nobody can complain that the CRF450R is lagging..........

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

I haven't really seen many posts about sales lagging. What I see are plenty of people(me included) wishing Big Red would step up to the plate on current models. Things like disc brakes and lockers would be nice.

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

Lockers are for people without skill. LOL.

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

It'll be interesting to see what those numbers look like in a couple of years, especially if Honda still refuses to play "catch-up". The ATV world has been begging for Honda to at least keep up with current technology. No one can explain why they don't. Personally, I'd love to see an IRS Rubicon with disk brakes and a locker. I don't need power steering.

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

I'm not![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]


Kind of saying the same thing as Recon, I don't think a lot of you that complain about Honda realize that Honda sells a boat load of beginner quads and mid size quads. Those people aren't necessarily on the forums every day like the people who buy the big bore or flagship model quads.

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

CRF450/250 have now sold 100,000 units! I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in So. Calif. dirt bikes are still hugely popular.......as are ATVs.

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

I can agree with that. I bought my Rubicon for 2 reasons. Since I store it at my parents' house, Dad will use it to plow the driveway and it's immensely reliable and easy to operate for that purpose. I also bought it in case a beginner goes on a ride with us. It's easy to steer, is considerably more stable than a lot of other quads, and pretty much operates itself on any steep downhill descents.

Think Honda's ATV sales are lagging? Think again.
 

When I bought my Rincon the guy who sold it to me has been selling Honda's for years and told me ATV sales surpassed dirt bike sales a number of years ago. I think women riders are 0% represented for the most part and there COULD be a huge market if these designers keep this in mind.

As far as Honda ATV's go, in the big bore sport/rec/utility class the Rincon probably comes in last overall, I'm not bashing it, I own one and I bought it for the reasons it's marketed for. I think the 250-450 class ATV's are pretty much owned by Honda as most of the other manufacturers have kind of abandoned this area with more of an emphasis on 400 and up sport/utility type quads.

Honda owners are probably the most brand loyal consumers in this market as well. Some people will ONLY buy Honda regardless of what you put in front of them at almost any price. That name recognition goes a LONG way in determining market share.

All that being said I think Yamaha, Suzuki, AC, Polaris and Can Am all build as good if not better machines then Honda with as good if not better features.

I'd be willing to bet if Yamaha and Honda both imported a Tiawan built 400cc ATV and each put their respective names on it and that was the only difference Honda would sell more.