301,000 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of ATVs to be produced in Mexico and the U.S. in 2021.
This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.
Market Share: With 28% of total units produced, Polaris Industries leads in production four-wheeled ATVs in North America. In second and third positions are Honda and Yamaha Motor with 22% and 19%, respectively.
Exports: Up to45% of Mexico’s ATV production is exported worldwide. That compares to about 30% of the US production that is exported.
Trends: Production of ATVs decreased 18% in 2020 from the 337,700 units produced in 2019. Even though production is expected to increase in 2021 by about 9% over the 2020 production of 275,700 units, it will still trail 2019 production by more than 36,000 units.
The decrease in 2020 was caused by COVID-19, excess inventories, uncertain economic conditions and the growing popularity of side x side units (UTVs). Manufacturers have discontinued less popular models and continue to shift production to UTVs.
The outlook for ATV sales is positive. According to investor relations representatives at Polaris, Yamaha and Arctic Cat, consumer discretionary spending is on the increase and gasoline prices are favorable.
Production is expected to increase by as much as 10% by 2025, driven by positive economic factors, pent-up demand caused by COVID, and the introduction of innovative products and technologies, including a shift to electric vehicles. PSR
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations at Power Systems Research
