Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) announced today it is canceling the 2014 American Victory Rally due to extensive transformation of manufacturing lines at the company’s Spirit Lake, Iowa facility, home of the Victory product line and annual rally.
“All of us at Victory are disappointed that we are unable to host the rally this year as we know our riders are passionate about their bikes and the opportunity to connect with each other, the Spirit Lake community and Victory employees at the annual rally,” said Marcy Bosch, committee chair, American Victory Rally.
“We will be transforming our manufacturing lines this summer to keep up with the demands fueled by the continued enthusiasm for Victory bikes and our other products, which means we won’t be able to free up the facilities and dedicate the resources necessary to support a quality rally. We are grateful to our riders and the Spirit Lake community for their continued support and passion for the Victory brand.”
While the American Victory Rally won’t be happening this year, Victory owners regularly organize local rallies across the country. Rally attendees are encouraged to talk to their local dealers for information on other rallies or Victory events that might be happening in their area.
While disappointed that the factory will not be as active this year, the riders understand and wish Victory Motorcycles all the best going forward in their growth. The Victory Motorcycle Club is working closely with the communities and the vendors involved, the rally will go on!
Gotta expand to increase the Indian line and perhaps a new model, Scout? Sorry victory people, profits come first.
Indian stealing sales from Harley, first. Then some from Victory, I bet.
It seems that if Polaris had stated that the AVR will return in 2015, that the rumors would be minimized. But they didn’t. Again, yet another poor marketing decision from the great minds at Polaris. They make a great product, but as stated, they have much room for improvement in the method they market and promote its Victory branded products.
Sonny,
Have you looked at Polaris stock prices lately or profits the company is generating? Seems to me the powers to be at Polaris/Victory/Indian are making all the right marketing calls. I know I am pleased with the direction of the company but that may just be me.
Over & Out,
Jeff
Here are some alternatives for Victory Riders
1) V2V cross the country Victory relay jun 21st thru July 4th starts on west coast ends on east coast
2) Rocky Mountain Freedom Rally in Red Lodge Montana july 11-13th close to the famous bear tooth pass highway
3) Northwest VMC regional meet july 18th – 20th in Post Falls Idaho some of the most scenic roads in america.
These and more Victory events can bee seen on thevmc.com
“profits come first” um, yes. Yes they do. That’s how companies survive. It’s great to spout boilerplate about this or that being job one, but the first responsibility is to survive. J D Rockefeller isn’t a roll model to me but he made one statement that will always ring true; “The worst thing a company can do to it’s employees is fail to make a profit”. To think that anyone would expect Polaris to negatively impact an important expansion for this open house is naive at best, and unfair to Polaris.
Hmmm!
My guess is this is only the beginning in terms of the shift of focus from Victory over to Indian. Unfortunate for those who have been loyal to Victory, whether working for them or purchasing from them.
Both bikes are getting popular
Who cares about which one is outselling the other
The answer is, good people, no matter which one you buy
it all goes back to the “mother ship” Polaris.
I’ve test rode them both & I know which one I’m buying next
There are plenty of “atta-boy rallies (see above)
And I’m all for expanding the Spirit Lake facility
All the better to get the bikes and the parts that people keep yelliing about
Expansion is good.
Facility expansion is the best indicator of a growing business.
The Victory line must be doing well.
We see more and more of em on the road.
Don’t think one event being much of an indicator of anything.
-nicker-
anyone know if vic riders are getting together in the spirit lake area anyway?