Why is Polaris adding the 325 Xpedition to their model line. I mean the 425 is a great ATV, but why go smaller? Don't you think they would be better off building a 500 Xpedition as the next model in the Xpedition line?

 

Because more 300cc sport/utility class atvs are sold than any other class. I'm shore the 500 Xpedition is coming.

 

I haven't heard that Polaris is making a 325 5-speed. It doesn't suprise me. I agree - the 300 market segment is the largest. It is also a market dominated by Honda. Polaris is no doubt looking to go head to head with with the new Honda Ranchers here. I agree that Polaris will no doubt soon offer a 500 Expedition. Manual trans ATV's comprise 70% of the total market. Polaris fought to the #2 spot behind Honda by producing automatic ATV's. Polaris makes no secret of the fact it wants to be #1. It can only get there by offering manual shift machines. The many other manufacturers now producing automatics also forces Polaris to start making manuals. They can no longer ingore this market segment.

 

I agree with all of you, but when Honda came out with the 400EX, their sales went skyrocketing. You still can't find them in showrooms, and it is well over a year that they were introduced. When the new Rubicon comes out, it will be there version of an automatic, plus you will also have a manual in the same machine. I don't think Polaris will pass Honda in sales if Honda keeps the new machines coming.

 

The 400ex made the Honda sales go up, but I doubt it outsells the Foreman line. There is more of a market for utlity & 4x4 machines.



[This message has been edited by quad_man (edited 11-22-1999).]

 

Honda is very dependable and they have an outstanding reputation. Polaris is suffering from the same thing that happened to the American automobile companies in the early eighties. The Jap companies are riding high on their dependable reputations and the GMs, Fords, and Chryslers are still playing catch-up. Polaris started off with a questionable dependability record and is now getting better but it is hard to go head to head with a company like Honda. I own a Polaris and have had good luck but Honda is tough competition because they make a very dependable, high quality machine.