Our first official look at how the future relationship of Arctic Cat off-road vehicles and new parent company Textron will play out has finally landed in our inbox. And as expected, the Arctic Cat name will no longer be associated with the off-road division. Instead, all vehicles will officially be known as Textron Off-Road. Yeah we know, the new name is about as exciting as flat white paint and personally we will always refer to vehicles such as the Wildcat, Prowler, and Alterra as an Arctic Cat. This is the company’s first batch of new 2018 models (we are expecting others to be forthcoming) and there are 18 in all. Beyond the name change, fresh graphics, and subtle tweaks, most are freshened 2017 carryovers from both Arctic Cat and Textron. Here’s the official word from Cat…errr Textron.
Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is transitioning Arctic Cat side-by-sides and ATVs to the Textron Off Road brand, effective with eighteen, 2018 models.
Textron Inc. acquired Arctic Cat in March 2017, adding another powerful brand to its portfolio that includes Bell Helicopter®, Cessna® and Beechcraft® aircraft, Greenlee® professional tools, Jacobsen® professional turf-care equipment, and Dixie Chopper® zero-turn mowers, among many others. Most Arctic Cat side-by-sides and ATVs, including the popular Alterra™, Prowler™ and Wildcat™ product lines, will now carry the Textron Off Road brand name, joining the Textron Off Road Stampede™ side-by-side to form a robust 2018 model year lineup.
The Stampede and Stampede 4 are the only models carried over from the Textron side of the ledger for 2018. The Recoil, Ambush, and Onslaught have all been discontinued.
“With Textron Off Road, we are marrying Arctic Cat’s legacy of high performance, reliability and innovation to Textron’s powerful combination of engineering expertise, manufacturing know-how, and Fortune 200 resources,” said Kevin Holleran, president and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. “Together as Textron Off Road, we are creating a new leader in off-road vehicle performance.”
The Arctic Cat brand name will remain on all snowmobile product lines.
Side-by-side and ATV production will continue in Thief River Falls, Minn., with the manufacture of Stampede models relocating there from Augusta, Ga. Production of the Textron Motors engines that power the Stampede will move from Germany to the company’s St. Cloud, Minn. production facility, which already produces several four-stroke off road engines for ATVs and side-by-sides, and two-stroke engines for Arctic Cat snowmobiles.
Some Alterra and XC ATVs, and HDX and Prowler side-by-side models, will retain the Arctic Cat brand while inventory lasts.
To avoid product overlap, the Textron Off Road Recoil® and Ambush® side-by-side product lines, as well as the Onslaught™ ATV, will be discontinued.
Current owners of Arctic Cat side-by-sides and ATVs can continue to visit their Arctic Cat dealer for vehicle service, parts and accessories.
2018 Wildcat X Limited
2018 Stampede 4X
2018 HDX 500XT
2018 Alterra 700 Mud Pro Limited
2018 Alterra 500
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