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Fountain Inn, SC United States | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Polaris Industries Announces Acquisition of Engine-Developer swissauto PowersportsExpertise from Switzerland-based Company will enhance Polaris' engineering capabilities and broaden geographic reach.
MINNEAPOLIS (February 3, 2010): Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced its acquisition of swissauto Powersports. Based in Burgdorf, Switzerland, swissauto has expertise in designing and developing high-performance and high-efficiency engines and innovative vehicles. The acquisition will further strengthen Polaris' global engine and vehicle design capability while also enhancing the company's European presence.
Founded in 1987, swissauto's core capabilities are in development, prototyping and manufacturing of internal combustion engines. Polaris has a long history of working with swissauto. The high-performance, four-stroke Weber engine that Polaris uses in several current snowmobile models was developed by swissauto.
In addition to recreational vehicle engines, swissauto also has a strong tradition of developing top-tier racing engines for World Motorcycle GP. The company's V4 2-stroke 500 cc engine drove 29 wins, 41 Poles and 3 World Championships during the 1990s. A completely new racing bike was also developed by swissauto and competed aggressively against larger Japanese OEMs during the late 1990s. This bike achieved the pole position twice during it's first season of racing and ranked in the top ten several times.
"Swissauto has industry leading powertrain design and development capabilities and a strong understanding of turbo-charging and high-performance engines," said Polaris Chief Executive Officer, Scott Wine. "This acquisition directly supports our stated objectives to be the best in powersports and a global market leader. "
Polaris acquired the powersports portion of swissauto and will continue to operate in the current swissauto facility located in Burgdorf, Switzerland. The automotive division of swissauto was not involved in this acquisition and will continue to operate autonomously. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Hey Jeff, what do you think their motive was for this buyout? Was it a defensive buyout to protect their development maybe or a cost-savings initiative? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 68
LONDONDERRY NH | They badly need a four stroke motor for their sleds-this may do it |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | I'll bet it was a combination of things that made Swissauto look good.
1. The 3rd paragraph on their motorcycle engine is very telling - especially if they ever choose to go after the mid-size bike market.
2. They've already developed a great 4 stroke sled motor, saving Polaris R&D money and giving them deep tacit research knowledge.
3. Buying the developer/manufacturing base for such engines is smart vertical integration in the marketplace.
4. Notice that Polaris DIDN'T go after the automotive division of this corp. They are targeting their acquisition to the powersports division giving them a better foothold on high efficiency motors.
Polaris is now positioned to create better, more innovative sub-1000cc motors for all it's product lines. Maybe even Victory.
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | This is a great step forward also for their on the road division, for most of us here that means Victory. A while back there was a picture of engineers that worked on the "CORE"...none of them were old guys. These guys have great ideas for new Victory motorcycles in all sizes. We have seen some pictures of possible future bikes. I'm sure engine development is very costly, Swissauto and the small high powered motors, Victory now can market a larger variety of motorcycles. Hopefully for us here in the states. Wth the "Core" design and the 750 cc turbo motor I saw in the news release, an under 500 lb sport bike with 120 hp is not years away, it's now. 
Edited by VisionTex 2010-02-03 9:13 PM
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | VisionTex - 2010-02-03 9:11 PM
... Swissauto and the small high powered motors, Victory now can market a larger variety of motorcycles. Hopefully for us here in the states. Wth the "Core" design and the 750 cc turbo motor I saw in the news release, an under 500 lb sport bike with 120 hp is not years away, it's now.
You nailed it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 68
LONDONDERRY NH | Just went to Swissauto website-It's the same turd motor Polaris is using in their 750 turbo sled-not impressive |
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Press Release from Polaris
