“Our first quarter results were in line with our projections, in spite of increased expenses for warranty and product liability. Our Customer Excellence initiatives and new products drove a six percent increase in North American retail, and in conjunction with shipment reductions, better demand forecasting, and process control improvements, enabled us to continue reducing dealer inventory levels year-over-year. During the quarter, we improved shipment lead-times, met retail demand from our Spirit Lake motorcycle facility, and completing the acquisition of Taylor-Dunn. I still believe 2016 is likely to be another volatile year in powersports, but we are seeing pockets of strength. The North American ORV industry was up in the first quarter, with March experiencing the strongest improvement,” commented Scott Wine, Polaris’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“We remain focused on an all-out assault on costs and rededicating the business to drive growth, not only for this year but as part of a renewed commitment to achieving our 2020 objectives. The entire Polaris team is united, and determined, to grow sales and expand margins.”

2016 Business Outlook

While the powersports industry was slightly better than anticipated in the 2016 first quarter, the company is keeping its guidance range unchanged for the full year 2016.

Off-Road Vehicle (“ORV”) and Snowmobile segment sales, including their respective PG&A related sales, decreased nine percent from the first quarter of 2015 to $720.6 million. ORV vehicle sales decreased 12 percent, snowmobile vehicle sales were up two percent and ORV and snowmobile related PG&A sales, combined, increased two percent in the 2016 first quarter compared to the same period last year.

ORV wholegood sales decreased 12 percent reflecting ongoing softness in retail sales in North American oil markets and tough comparables in the first quarter of last year. Polaris North American ORV unit retail sales were flat with the 2015 first quarter, with consumer purchases of side-by-side vehicles down low single-digits percent and ATV retail sales up low-single digits percent over prior year. ORV dealer inventory was down ten percent in the 2016 first quarter compared to the same period last year. While the Company experienced modest ORV market share loss in the 2016 first quarter with ATV market share up slightly and side-by-side’s down, Polaris continues to be the clear #1 market share leader in ORV in North American.

Snowmobile wholegood sales increased two percent due to the acquisition of Timbersled in the second quarter of 2015. The Company gained market share the 2016 first quarter and for a third consecutive year for the season ending March 31, 2016.

Motorcycle segment sales, including their respective PG&A related sales, increased 18 percent in the 2016 first quarter to $188.2 million primarily due to continued strong retail sales for Indian motorcycles.

North American consumer retail demand for the Polaris motorcycle segment, including Victory, Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot, was up low-teens percent during the 2016 first quarter while the overall motorcycle industry retail sales, 900cc and above was about flat in the 2016 first quarter. During the 2016 first quarter, the company began retailing two new additions to its Victory and Indian motorcycle line-up with the introduction of the Octane, Victory motorcycles’ first mid-sized cruiser and the new Indian Springfield, named after the birthplace of Indian Motorcycle. Slingshot also broadened its color options with its 2016 model introduction including the new Limited Edition White Pearl SL. Product availability for Victory, Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot improved considerably in the 2016 first quarter and dealer inventories are essentially at targeted stocking levels at quarter-end.

 

Parts, Garments, and Accessories (“PG&A”) sales, which are included in each of the three respective reporting segments, experienced a two percent increase during the 2016 first quarter. All segments experienced higher PG&A sales during the quarter except motorcycles. Motorcycle PG&A sales were down slightly year-over-year due to higher shipments of Slingshot related PG&A in the 2015 first quarter from initial stocking orders.

International sales to customers outside of North America totaled $162.6 million for the first quarter of 2016, including PG&A, up six percent from the same period in 2015. International sales on a constant currency basis were up 12 percent in the 2016 first quarter. Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) reported sales increased six percent in the 2016 first quarter and Asia Pacific reported sales were down seven percent while Latin American reported sales were up 29 percent. International reported sales by reportable segment in the first quarter compared to last year were as follows: ORV/Snowmobiles segment sales were down one percent, Motorcycles segment sales were up 42 percent, and Global Adjacent Markets segment sales increased two percent.