Gibbs Sports Amphibians Announces Plans to Expand Amphibious ATV Market

Following the launch of the Gibbs Quadski amphibious ATV earlier this year, Gibbs Sports Amphibians has announced plans to expand its presence in the powersports world.

The company plans to build 1,000 Quadskis in 2013 and expects to have more than 100 major powersports dealers authorized to sell and service the Quadski by the end of 2014. The company will also announce the selection of its first Michigan dealer this summer.

"Our primary focus over the past 12 to 14 months has been a successful Quadski production launch and the establishment of a strong, premium U.S. dealership base, primarily in the Midwest, New York, Texas and the Southeastern United States," said Graham Jenkins, communications manager. "West Coast sales currently are on hold pending California regulatory approval."

The company is recruiting dealers and distributors to support high speed amphibian export sales in 2014 and will add jobs at its assembly plant as products are added to its lineup.

Europe, the Middle East and select markets in the Asia Pacific region are all prospective Quadski export targets in 2014 and beyond.

The company plans to launch several new consumer products over the next 18 months and continues to work on commercial and military applications for the vehicle. Gibbs already has shown two commercial concepts, known as "amphitrucks." The Gibbs Phibian is a 4,500-lb., 12-passenger high-speed amphibian equipped with twin turbocharged diesel engines. The Humdinga is a smaller amphitruck designed for five to seven passengers and equipped with a supercharged V8 engine.

The Quadski made its debut at major boat and auto shows in the United States earlier this year, including the Miami International Boat Show and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Quadski transitions from land to water in less than five seconds, is equipped with a BMW Motorrad engine, and is available in five colors: black, blue, red, silver and yellow.

"Quadski is the only personal sports amphibian capable of reaching speeds of 45 miles per hour on both land and water," Jenkins said. "Quadski’s unique retractable suspension provides superb ride-and-handling on land and retracts in seconds after entering water."

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.