Category: Powersports Market

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Powersports Market

A Looming Cliff for Powersports Dealers?

It’s been a fantastic year for some powersports dealers. Thanks to government stimulus checks and a burning desire to leave the house, ATV and recreational powersports sales have gone through the roof from April to June. Many dealers have already exceeded their 2020 forecasts for the year!

But will the boom times continue? Or will sales fall from these unprecedented highs? There are several factors which could impact the second half of 2020.

Government stimulus

Second quarter sales were propelled in large part by the pandemic-driven CARES Act which provided stimulus money to those who had been furloughed or lost employment. Those stimulus funds have ended and further funds are stalled in Congress until early September. If another round of stimulus is offered, chances are that powersports sales will continue, albeit not at the levels seen in Q2.

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Compliance Powersports Market

Don’t Skip Steps

While the country is still in the grips of the pandemic, sales of powersports vehicles, led by ATVs and other recreational units, have been going gangbusters. In May, the average major unit sales were up 60.7 percent and overall revenue increased 51.2 percent.

Going into the third quarter, inventory constraints could put a significant damper on sales gains. Polaris and other companies were forced to close manufacturing facilities due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Analysts from BMO Capital Markets report that inventory shortages across all brands could impact sales for the remainder of the year. However, with more consumers entering the market, and more units being financed, the overall forecast for sales remains cautiously optimistic.

With many powersports dealers surpassing sales records throughout the summer, one could surmise it is Christmas in July, except for one small data point. Identity fraud has reared its ugly head. While fraud has always been an area of focus in the powersports world, a couple of unique pandemic situations have exacerbated the situation.

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Business Growth Powersports Market

Navigating the New Normal

Glenice Wilder Vice President EFG Companies
Contributing Author:
Glenice Wilder
Vice President
EFG Companies

Up or down? Good or bad? The compare and contrast analysis has become a daily past time as we navigate our COVID-19 pandemic world. The air might be cleaner, but there are fewer vehicles on the road supporting the economy. We are spending more quality time with family and loved ones while navigating online school and/or work and cabin fever. When it comes to the retail powersports market, we find pluses and minuses in this new normal as well.

  • Interest rates are at an all-time low, making financing a bike pretty attractive.
  • Plant shutdowns have helped push dealership inventory out the door while keeping prices in the black.
  • Shelter-in-place restrictions might mean more time to ride with family and friends.

But there are also some economic factors which reflect the ying and yang.

  • The unemployment rate has soared to 14.7 percent, but some industries are experiencing tremendous demand. Food and beverage companies, delivery services, pharmacy/healthcare businesses and cleaning services are eagerly hiring to keep up with consumer demand.
  • Nearly all states have eased some restrictions on businesses in an effort to jump-start the economy, with some seeing limited success.
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